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.
Have not I commanded {H6680} thee? Be strong {H2388} and of a good courage {H553}; be not afraid {H6206}, neither be thou dismayed {H2865}: for the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} is with thee whithersoever thou goest {H3212}.
Haven't I ordered you, 'Be strong, be bold'? So don't be afraid or downhearted, because ADONAI your God is with you wherever you go."
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Cross-References
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Genesis 28:15 (229 votes)
And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of. -
Jeremiah 1:7 (175 votes)
But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. -
Jeremiah 1:8 (175 votes)
Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. -
Psalms 27:1 (137 votes)
¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? -
Psalms 27:2 (137 votes)
When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. -
Joshua 1:6 (136 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. -
Joshua 1:7 (136 votes)
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Commentary
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
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.
Commentary
This verse is a powerful command and promise from God to Joshua as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses' death. The task ahead was enormous and fraught with peril, requiring great faith and resolve.
The command is twofold: "Be strong and of a good courage," followed by the negative counterpart, "be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed." The Hebrew words translated "strong" (חֲזַק - khazaq) and "courageous" (אָמֵץ - amets) imply firmness, resolve, and being stout or bold. This wasn't just a suggestion but a divine imperative necessary for the challenges ahead.
The foundation and source of this strength and courage are immediately provided: "for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." This promise of God's presence is the ultimate assurance that enables Joshua (and by extension, believers today) to face fears and difficulties without being overwhelmed or disheartened. It shifts the focus from one's own limited ability to God's unlimited power and faithfulness.
This verse serves as a timeless encouragement. When facing daunting tasks, uncertainties, or fears, the believer is called to remember that strength and courage come not from within, but from the assurance of God's constant presence. His presence is the guarantee of His help and guidance.
See also Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 28:20 for similar promises of God's presence and help.
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.