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.

And Moses {H4872} called {H7121} unto Joshua {H3091}, and said {H559} unto him in the sight {H5869} of all Israel {H3478}, Be strong {H2388} and of a good courage {H553}: for thou must go {H935} with this people {H5971} unto the land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} hath sworn {H7650} unto their fathers {H1} to give {H5414} them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit {H5157} it.

Next Moshe summoned Y'hoshua and, in the sight of all Isra'el, said to him, "Be strong, be bold, for you are going with this people into the land ADONAI swore to their ancestors he would give them. You will be the one causing them to inherit it.

Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance.

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

Commentary

Context of Deuteronomy 31:7

Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," chronicles Moses' final addresses to the Israelites as they stood on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This verse captures a pivotal moment: the public commissioning of Joshua as Moses' successor. Moses, aware that he would not enter the land himself due to past disobedience (Deuteronomy 3:27), formally transfers leadership to Joshua before all of Israel. This public declaration was crucial for establishing Joshua's authority and assuring the people of God's continued guidance through their new leader.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Commissioning: Joshua's leadership is not self-appointed but divinely ordained through Moses, emphasizing that God chooses and equips leaders for His purposes. This public transfer of authority instilled confidence in both Joshua and the nation.
  • Strength and Courage: The core exhortation, "Be strong and of a good courage," is central. It acknowledges the immense challenges ahead—conquering the strong Canaanite nations—and underscores the absolute necessity of faith, resolve, and fearlessness. This phrase becomes a recurring motif throughout Joshua's life and the biblical narrative, often directly linked to God's presence and faithfulness.
  • Fulfillment of Promise: The verse explicitly connects Joshua's mission to the covenant promise God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land. Joshua's primary role is to ensure the people inherit what God had already sworn to give their ancestors, highlighting God's faithfulness to His word.
  • Succession and Continuity: It demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring leadership continuity even as one era ends and another begins. God always provides a way for His plans to be accomplished.

Linguistic Insights

The powerful Hebrew phrase translated "Be strong and of a good courage" combines two significant verbs: chazaq (חֲזַק), meaning "to be strong, firm, courageous," and amats (אָמַץ), meaning "to be strong, bold, resolute." This pairing emphasizes a comprehensive strength—both an inner resolve and an outward fortitude—essential for facing the daunting tasks of leadership and warfare. This exact exhortation is repeated to Joshua by God Himself shortly after, most notably in Joshua 1:6-9, underscoring its divine origin and critical importance for success.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 31:7 offers profound insights for believers today. Just as Joshua was commissioned for a formidable task, God often calls individuals to significant roles or challenges in life. The call to "be strong and of a good courage" reminds us that:

  • Leadership Requires Resolve: Whether in family, community, or professional spheres, guiding others, especially through difficult times, demands courage and conviction rooted in faith and trust in God.
  • God's Promises Fuel Courage: Knowing that God has already promised His presence, provision, or ultimate victory (like the promise of peace or eternal life) empowers us to face fears and adversities with boldness.
  • Divine Presence Empowers: The ultimate source of Joshua's strength and courage was the assurance of God's presence with him. Similarly, Christians are assured of God's abiding presence through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:20), which is the true foundation for strength and courage in any circumstance.

This verse encourages us to step forward boldly in faith, trusting in God's faithfulness to fulfill His purposes through us, even when the path ahead seems daunting.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 3:28 (11 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 31:6 (10 votes)

    Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

  • Deuteronomy 1:38 (8 votes)

    [But] Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

  • Ephesians 6:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

  • Joshua 1:6 (4 votes)

    Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

  • Daniel 10:19 (3 votes)

    And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace [be] unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

  • Deuteronomy 31:23 (3 votes)

    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.