Deuteronomy 31:23

KJV

And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he gave Joshua {H3091} the son {H1121} of Nun {H5126} a charge {H6680}, and said {H559}, Be strong {H2388} and of a good courage {H553}: for thou shalt bring {H935} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} into the land {H776} which I sware {H7650} unto them: and I will be with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI also commissioned Y'hoshua the son of Nun with these words: "Be strong and full of courage; for you are to bring the people of Isra'el into the land about which I swore to them; and I will be with you."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”

American Standard Version

And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 31:23 records a pivotal divine mandate given directly to Joshua, Moses' divinely appointed successor, as he stands on the cusp of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. This verse encapsulates the Lord's personal commission, an empowering exhortation to strength and courage, and an unwavering promise of divine presence, all of which are absolutely essential for the monumental task of conquering and settling Canaan and fulfilling God's ancient covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at a critical juncture in the book of Deuteronomy, specifically within Moses' valedictory discourses and the imminent conclusion of his earthly ministry. Chapters 29-30 detail the solemn renewal of the Mosaic covenant and the profound implications of obedience and disobedience, outlining blessings and curses. Chapter 31 opens with Moses formally presenting Joshua to the congregation as his successor and publicly encouraging him, a moment of significant leadership transition (cf. [Deuteronomy 31:1-8](/deuteronomy/31-1-8 "Moses Prepares for His End and Commissions Joshua")). Following this public affirmation, the narrative shifts to the Lord Himself directly addressing Joshua, reiterating and reinforcing the charge. This divine commissioning in [Deuteronomy 31:23](/deuteronomy/31-23 "Deuteronomy 31:23 - God Commissions Joshua") serves as a capstone to Moses' transfer of leadership, establishing Joshua's authority not merely by human appointment but by explicit divine decree. This sets the theological and narrative stage for the subsequent book of Joshua, where this very commission is repeatedly affirmed and acted upon as Israel enters and conquers Canaan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this moment, the Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, poised to cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan, the land promised by God centuries earlier to their patriarchs. They have endured forty arduous years of wilderness wandering, a period that witnessed the death of the generation that rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea and the rise of a new generation, now ready to inherit the promise. Moses, the iconic leader who delivered them from Egyptian bondage and shepherded them through the wilderness, is forbidden from entering the land due to his act of disobedience at Meribah (cf. [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - Moses Strikes the Rock")). The transition of leadership from such a towering, divinely-anointed figure to Joshua, a military leader and Moses' long-time aide, was a moment of immense national significance and potential anxiety for a people accustomed to Moses' direct intercession and leadership. The task ahead—conquering established, fortified cities and displacing powerful inhabitants—was daunting. Therefore, a clear, unequivocal, and public divine commissioning of the new leader was absolutely crucial for maintaining unity, morale, and faith in God's continued guidance and power.
* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 31:23](/deuteronomy/31-23 "Deuteronomy 31:23 - God Commissions Joshua") powerfully articulates several foundational themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It profoundly underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**, as God Himself initiates and guarantees the fulfillment of His ancient covenant promise to give the land to Israel, a promise first made to [Abraham in Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham") and reiterated throughout the patriarchal narratives. The verse also highlights **Divine Commissioning**, demonstrating that true leadership for God's people is not merely humanly chosen or inherited, but divinely appointed, empowered, and sanctioned. The repeated emphasis on "Be strong and of a good courage" speaks directly to the theme of **Courage Born of Faith**, recognizing the formidable challenges ahead but grounding fortitude firmly in God's presence rather than in human ability or self-reliance. Finally, the concluding promise, "and I will be with thee," encapsulates the overarching theme of **God's Enduring Presence**, assuring His people that He will never abandon them. This promise resonates throughout the Old Testament, finding echoes in passages like [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise of Help"), and culminates in the New Testament's ultimate assurance of Christ's perpetual presence with His church (cf. [Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission and Christ's Presence")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Charge (Hebrew, _ṣāwâ'_):** This verb (H6680) signifies "to command," "to appoint," or "to give a formal instruction or commission." It is often used for authoritative directives from a superior to a subordinate, or, as here, from God to a human agent. In this context, it profoundly emphasizes that Joshua's authority and mission are not self-appointed, nor merely inherited from Moses, but are divinely ordained and specifically commanded by the Lord. This divine "charge" imbues Joshua's leadership with ultimate legitimacy and divine backing, transforming his daunting task into a sacred trust and a direct extension of God's will.
* **Strong (Hebrew, _ḥāzaq'_):** This word (H2388) conveys the idea of being firm, robust, resolute, or to seize hold of something with tenacity. When used as an imperative, as it is here, it functions as a powerful exhortation to inner fortitude, steadfastness, and resilience. It implies the necessity of unwavering determination in the face of immense obstacles, not a physical strength but a strength of will and spirit. Crucially, this strength is not self-generated but is enabled and sustained by the divine presence explicitly promised in the latter part of the verse. It is a command to *be* strong, implying a state of being empowered by God.
* **Courage (Hebrew, _’āmats'_):** This term (H553) means "to be alert," "to be valiant," or "to be courageous." It speaks to the inner resolve and bravery required to confront difficult or dangerous situations without succumbing to fear. Paired with _ḥāzaq_ ("strong"), it forms a powerful hendiadys, emphasizing both the internal disposition of courage and the outward demonstration of resolute action. This dual command acknowledges the formidable nature of the task ahead—conquering the land of Canaan—and calls Joshua to a faith-filled boldness that trusts implicitly in God's power and faithfulness over any human weakness or fear.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said,"**: The "he" here refers unequivocally to the Lord God, as established by the preceding verses (e.g., [Deuteronomy 31:14-15](/deuteronomy/31-14-15 "The Lord Calls Moses and Joshua")). This opening clause immediately emphasizes the divine origin of Joshua's commission. It is not Moses, but God Himself, who formally bestows the authority and responsibility upon Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' faithful assistant and successor. This direct divine conferral of "a charge" (or command) elevates Joshua's leadership to a sacred calling, ensuring that the transition of power is seen as God's sovereign will, not merely a human succession.
* **"Be strong and of a good courage:"**: This is a direct, imperative exhortation from God to Joshua. The repetition of similar commands (as seen earlier from Moses in [Deuteronomy 31:7](/deuteronomy/31-7 "Moses Encourages Joshua")) underscores their critical importance for the daunting task ahead. It acknowledges the immense challenges Joshua will face—leading a nation, conquering formidable enemies, and establishing a new society in a hostile land. This is not a call to self-reliance or a naive dismissal of danger, but an imperative to draw upon a divinely supplied inner fortitude, trusting in God's power and faithfulness rather than one's own limited abilities.
* **"for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them:"**: This clause provides the specific reason and divine purpose for the command to be strong and courageous. Joshua's mission is explicitly defined: to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. This land is not merely a geographical territory but the tangible fulfillment of God's ancient, solemn, and sworn covenant promises made centuries earlier to the patriarchs (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise to Abram"), [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham"), [Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's Promise to Isaac"), [Genesis 28:13](/genesis/28-13 "God's Promise to Jacob")). Joshua's leadership is thus directly linked to the culmination of centuries of divine faithfulness, making his task a sacred act of covenant fulfillment and a testament to God's unwavering word.
* **"and I will be with thee."**: This concluding promise is the ultimate source and foundation of Joshua's strength and courage. It is God's personal, unfailing assurance of His active presence, guidance, and unwavering support. This promise transcends mere moral encouragement; it signifies God's active involvement in Joshua's mission, empowering him for every challenge, providing wisdom, ensuring protection, and guaranteeing ultimate victory. It is the divine guarantee that undergirds the entire commission, transforming a humanly daunting task into a divinely-backed enterprise, making success inevitable according to God's will.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 31:23 primarily employs **Divine Commissioning** and **Exhortation** as its central literary devices. The verse functions as a direct, authoritative **Divine Commissioning** of Joshua, clearly delineating his divinely appointed role and the ultimate divine backing for it. This is powerfully evident in the opening "And he gave Joshua... a charge," which unequivocally establishes God as the ultimate source of authority and the initiator of this monumental transition. Following this, the verse contains a potent **Exhortation** in the form of the imperative "Be strong and of a good courage." This direct address is a common biblical rhetorical device used to impress upon the recipient the gravity, urgency, and necessity of a particular action or disposition, especially in moments of significant challenge. The structure of the verse also demonstrates a clear logical progression, akin to **Cause and Effect** or **Reasoning**, where the imperative command ("Be strong and of a good courage") is immediately followed by its rationale or purpose ("for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them") and then by the ultimate enabling factor and guarantee ("and I will be with thee"). This logical and theological progression reinforces the divine imperative and its foundation in God's immutable promise and presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 31:23 serves as a foundational text for understanding the nature of divine leadership and God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. It establishes unequivocally that true leadership within God's redemptive plan is not merely a human appointment or a matter of inherited status but a direct divine commission, supernaturally empowered by God's own presence and purpose. The imperative command to "be strong and courageous" is not a call to self-reliance or a stoic resilience, but rather a necessary disposition for those undertaking God's work, knowing that while the task may be formidable, the divine backing is absolute and sufficient. This verse encapsulates the profound theological truth that God equips those He calls, and His active, abiding presence is the ultimate guarantee of success in fulfilling His will. It powerfully underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan, seamlessly linking the ancient promises made to the patriarchs with their imminent, tangible fulfillment through Joshua's divinely-empowered leadership.

* [Joshua 1:9](/joshua/1-9 "Joshua 1:9 - God's Command to Joshua")
* [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Waiting on the Lord")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise Never to Leave")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 31:23 offers profound encouragement and timeless guidance for believers navigating the multifaceted challenges of life and ministry today. Just as Joshua was called to undertake a daunting and seemingly overwhelming task, we too are often called to step into new responsibilities, confront significant obstacles, or pursue God-given visions that appear to be far beyond our natural capabilities. This powerful verse reminds us that the command to "be strong and of a good courage" is not an exhortation to self-generated bravery or a demand for inherent fearlessness, but rather an invitation to draw strength from the very One who commissions us. Our courage, therefore, is not rooted in our own fortitude but in the unwavering, immutable promise, "I will be with thee." This means that when we feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or gripped by fear, we can consciously lean on God's active, empowering presence and infinite power. His presence is not a passive comfort but an active, dynamic empowerment, enabling us to fulfill the purposes He has set before us, whether in our personal lives, families, workplaces, communities, or ministries. It assures us that we are never truly alone in our endeavors for His kingdom, and His faithfulness guarantees the ultimate success of His sovereign plans.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What daunting task or significant responsibility might God be calling you to "be strong and of a good courage" for in your life right now?**
* **How does the promise "I will be with thee" fundamentally transform your perspective on the challenges and uncertainties you currently face?**
* **In what practical, tangible ways can you intentionally lean into God's promised presence and draw strength from Him when you feel weak, fearful, or overwhelmed?**
* **How does understanding that your calling or current task is a divine "charge" from God impact your commitment, perseverance, and sense of purpose?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "he" who gave Joshua a charge, and why is this significant?**

Answer: The "he" in [Deuteronomy 31:23](/deuteronomy/31-23 "Deuteronomy 31:23 - God Commissions Joshua") refers unequivocally to the Lord God Himself. This is profoundly significant because it establishes that Joshua's leadership and mission were not merely a human appointment by Moses, however legitimate, but a direct, divine commission originating from the sovereign will of God. This divine backing provided ultimate legitimacy and unparalleled authority to Joshua's role, assuring both Joshua himself and the entire nation of Israel that God was actively involved in this crucial transition of power and would personally empower Joshua to fulfill the monumental task of leading them into the Promised Land. It underscores that Joshua was God's chosen instrument, not just Moses' successor, which would have been crucial for the people to accept his authority and for Joshua to undertake such a monumental task with unwavering confidence. The Lord's personal involvement ensures the continuity and ultimate success of His eternal covenant plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 31:23 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Joshua, whose Hebrew name (Yeshua) is the linguistic equivalent of Jesus, powerfully foreshadows Christ as the true and greater leader who brings God's people into their ultimate, eternal inheritance. Just as Joshua was divinely commissioned by God the Father to lead the Israelites into the earthly Promised Land of Canaan, Jesus, the Son of God, was divinely commissioned by His Father to lead His people into the spiritual and eternal rest, the true promised land of salvation, redemption, and perfect communion with God (cf. [Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8-10 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Rest")). The imperative command to "be strong and of a good courage" is perfectly and supremely embodied in Christ, who faced the ultimate challenge of sin, suffering, and death with unwavering resolve, empowered by the Father's perfect will and abiding presence (cf. [Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). The divine promise "and I will be with thee" finds its highest and most enduring expression in Christ's perpetual presence with His church through the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. [John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), and His explicit assurance to His disciples, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (cf. [Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission and Christ's Presence")). Jesus not only embodies the strength and courage commanded to Joshua but also *is* the divine presence that empowers His followers to fulfill their mission in a hostile world, ultimately bringing them into the full spiritual blessings and eternal inheritance of God's kingdom, a far greater and more glorious reality than the earthly land of Canaan.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 31:14

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Deuteronomy 31:7

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 3:28

But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

Acts 7:45

Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

Joshua 1:5

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.