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Deuteronomy 31:8

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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.

And the LORD {H3068}, he it is that doth go {H1980} before {H6440} thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail {H7503} thee, neither forsake {H5800} thee: fear {H3372} not, neither be dismayed {H2865}.

But ADONAI - it is he who will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you, so don't be afraid or downhearted."

The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

And Jehovah, 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.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:8 in the King James Version offers a profound assurance of God's unwavering presence and support, particularly relevant during times of change and challenge.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Moses is preparing to hand over leadership to Joshua, who will guide the people into the unknown territory. The promise in this verse is directed primarily towards Joshua as he takes on this immense responsibility (see Deuteronomy 31:7), but it serves as a powerful encouragement for the entire nation and for all believers facing transitions or daunting tasks.

Key Themes

  • God's Active Leading: The LORD goes before His people, showing the way and clearing obstacles.
  • God's Constant Presence: A promise of intimate companionship and support.
  • God's Unfailing Faithfulness: Assurance that God will never abandon or weaken in His commitment.
  • Overcoming Fear: A direct command and encouragement to release fear and discouragement based on God's reliability.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "go before thee" (Hebrew: halak liphnei) speaks of God leading the way, pioneering the path. "Be with thee" (Hebrew: hayah im) signifies a close, supportive presence. The strong negative "will not fail thee, neither forsake thee" uses Hebrew words (raphah and azab) that mean to slacken, let go, abandon, or desert, emphasizing the absolute certainty of God's commitment to His people. "Fear not, neither be dismayed" uses terms (yare and chathath) that cover both initial fear and subsequent brokenness or terror, addressing the full spectrum of discouragement.

Related Scriptures

The promise of God's presence echoes throughout scripture. Jesus assures His disciples, "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." The assurance of not being forsaken is a cornerstone of faith, powerfully restated in the New Testament for believers: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." This verse in Deuteronomy is the foundation for God's direct command to Joshua, "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" (Joshua 1:9).

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 31:8 remains a powerful source of strength for believers today. When facing new jobs, difficult decisions, health challenges, or uncertain futures, this verse reminds us that we do not go alone. The same God who led Israel into the Promised Land, who was with Joshua, is with us. His promise to be with us and never fail or forsake us provides the solid ground upon which we can stand, enabling us to "fear not, neither be dismayed," but to move forward in faith and courage.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Exodus 33:14 (70 votes)

    And he said, My presence shall go [with thee], and I will give thee rest.

  • Deuteronomy 31:6 (60 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.

  • Joshua 1:9 (53 votes)

    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.

  • Romans 8:31 (49 votes)

    ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

  • Joshua 1:5 (46 votes)

    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.

  • Isaiah 43:1 (35 votes)

    ¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

  • Isaiah 43:2 (35 votes)

    When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.