Deuteronomy 3 28

Deuteronomy 3:28 kjv

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 3:28 nkjv

But command 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 you will see.'

Deuteronomy 3:28 niv

But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see."

Deuteronomy 3:28 esv

But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.'

Deuteronomy 3:28 nlt

Instead, commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them all the land you now see before you as their possession.'

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 28 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:28 contains God's direct instruction to Moses to formally commission Joshua. It mandates Moses to "charge," "encourage," and "strengthen" Joshua, for Joshua is the appointed leader who will guide the Israelite people across the Jordan River and lead them into possession of the land of Canaan, displacing its current inhabitants. This verse highlights the divine appointment of leadership and the essential preparation required for a momentous task.

Deuteronomy 3 28 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 3 is part of Moses' farewell addresses to the Israelites, delivered just before they are to enter the Promised Land. In the verses preceding 3:28 (Deut 3:23-27), Moses recounts his fervent plea to the Lord to be allowed to enter Canaan and God's unwavering denial, reminding Moses of his past sin at Meribah. God shows Moses the land from afar but explicitly states that he will not cross the Jordan. Verse 28 immediately follows this declaration, transitioning from Moses' exclusion to the divine plan for Israel's future leadership. This command for Moses to commission Joshua is a pivotal moment, signaling the handover of leadership and emphasizing God's continued faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Moses' personal limitations. The chapter then continues with Moses setting the stage for the entry into the land, reflecting on previous victories and the distribution of land east of the Jordan.

Deuteronomy 3 28 Word analysis

• But charge (צַוֵּה - tzavveh)

  • Meaning: To command, appoint, instruct authoritatively. This is more than a suggestion; it's a solemn and formal commission.
  • Significance: It indicates that Moses is acting under divine authority in transferring leadership, not merely delegating. It establishes Joshua's legitimacy through God's ordained process.

• Joshua

  • Meaning: His name in Hebrew, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua), means "The Lord is salvation" or "The Lord saves."
  • Significance: A fitting name for the one chosen by God to lead His people to "salvation" or deliverance into the promised land, foreshadowing a greater deliverer.

• and encourage him (חַזֵּק - chazzēq)

  • Meaning: To strengthen, to make firm, resolute, to show oneself strong, to be courageous. It often refers to internal resolve.
  • Significance: Joshua, facing a daunting task of conquest and leadership, needs inner fortitude. This instruction implies a supportive, confidence-building act from Moses.

• and strengthen him (וְאַמְּצֵהוּ - wĕ’ammətsēhû)

  • Meaning: To make strong, make robust, be valiant, to become powerful. Often paired with chazaq, implying courage for action and resilience against adversity.
  • Significance: While chazaq relates to inner fortitude, amats suggests outward courage and readiness for the challenges ahead, equipping Joshua for the visible responsibilities of leadership and warfare.

• for he shall go over before this people

  • Meaning: Joshua will lead as the vanguard, taking the initiative in crossing the Jordan and initiating the conquest. "Before" (לִפְנֵי - lifnei) emphasizes his frontline position.
  • Significance: This highlights Joshua's active, direct leadership, in contrast to Moses, who, at times, led from behind (e.g., cloud, tabernacle in the center of the camp) or through prayer and instruction. He will lead them into the inheritance.

• into the land that you shall see

  • Meaning: Refers to the land Moses viewed from Mount Pisgah (Deut 3:27), which he was forbidden to enter.
  • Significance: Poignantly underscores Moses's restricted access and the limitation placed upon him by God. It emphasizes that while Moses prepared them, another must complete the journey. God keeps His promise for the people to enter, even if Moses cannot.

• and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall dispossess

  • Meaning: Joshua will be the one responsible for the people inheriting the land through dispossessing (יָרַשׁ - yarash) the current inhabitants. Yarash can mean "to inherit" or, in its causative form here, "to dispossess."
  • Significance: This phrase underlines the nature of the conquest as a divinely sanctioned act of dispossession, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. It highlights the divine enabling necessary for Israel to claim their inheritance by removing the existing nations as an act of divine judgment.

Deuteronomy 3 28 Bonus section

The Hebrew words chazaq (encourage/strengthen) and amats (strengthen/courage) frequently appear together in the Old Testament, forming a common idiom for imparting deep resolve and valor, especially in the context of divine calling. This pairing is seen not only for Joshua but also for King Solomon (1 Chr 22:13, 28:20) and Zerubbabel (Hag 2:4), emphasizing that significant undertakings for God's kingdom require strength that comes from above. The act of "dispossessing" for "possession" is rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant (e.g., Gen 12, 15). The land was given by promise, but its actual habitation required Israel's participation under God's empowerment. Joshua, whose name (Yeshua) is the same root as Jesus, typologically foreshadows the ultimate leader, Jesus Christ, who leads His people into a greater, eternal rest and inheritance through His victory. Moses' action here exemplifies faithful submission to God's will, even when it involves personal sacrifice or limitations, modeling true leadership.

Deuteronomy 3 28 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:28 serves as a pivotal point, underscoring the sovereignty of God in orchestrating leadership transitions. Even as Moses is denied entry into the Promised Land, he remains obedient and faithful in commissioning his successor, Joshua, according to divine command. This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that God's work transcends individual limitations and failures; His promises endure. The specific charge to "charge, encourage, and strengthen" Joshua reveals God's care in preparing leaders, recognizing the immense pressures and courage required for their divinely appointed tasks. Joshua's role as the one to lead the people into the land and enable their possession by dispossessing its inhabitants fulfills ancient covenant promises through a new human agent. It is not just a military action but a theological act, marking God's judgment on the Canaanites and His faithfulness to Israel. It reminds us that leadership in God's service is an empowerment from Him to achieve His purposes, rather than being solely reliant on human capability.