Deuteronomy 31 23

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.

Deuteronomy 31:23 nkjv

Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you."

Deuteronomy 31:23 niv

The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."

Deuteronomy 31:23 esv

And the LORD commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you."

Deuteronomy 31:23 nlt

Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: "Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you."

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 23 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:23 conveys a divine charge and promise to Joshua, the successor to Moses. The verse establishes that God directly commands Joshua to "be strong and of good courage" for the immense task ahead: leading the Israelites to inherit the land promised to their ancestors by God's oath. The underlying reason and ultimate assurance for this courage is God's unwavering promise, "I will be with thee." This means Joshua's success is not dependent on his own might but on the divine presence, power, and faithfulness of Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 31 23 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 31 records the final instructions and farewell address of Moses to the Israelite nation before his impending death. Having led the people for forty years through the wilderness, Moses, now 120 years old, knows he will not enter the Promised Land. This chapter details his formal transition of leadership to Joshua, God's chosen successor. Moses first publicly charges Joshua (v. 7-8), encouraging him and all Israel. Following this, the chapter recounts God's direct commissioning of Joshua at the tabernacle (v. 14-15), a private yet divinely ordained moment. Verse 23 specifically describes this direct encounter, where God Himself gives Joshua the pivotal charge and promise. The broader historical context is the brink of the Canaan conquest, with a new generation prepared to cross the Jordan and fulfil God's covenant promises, a formidable undertaking requiring immense divine enablement.

Deuteronomy 31 23 Word analysis

• And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said:
  • He gave (wayitstsaw, וַיְצַו): From the Hebrew root צָוָה (tsawah), meaning to command, order, commission, appoint. It signifies a formal and authoritative delegation of responsibility. In this instance, it is God directly giving the command, elevating Joshua's appointment to a divine mandate.
  • Joshua (Y'hoshua, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ): Meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." Moses' aide and successor, chosen by God. His name itself reflects the source of the victory he would bring to Israel.
  • The son of Nun: Specifies his identity. Joshua's steadfastness and faith were previously demonstrated during the reconnaissance of Canaan (Num 13-14).
  • A charge: Refers to the specific divine commission and instruction that follows, signifying the grave responsibility and authority bestowed upon him.
• Be strong and of a good courage:
  • Be strong (chazaq, חֲזַק): To be firm, secure, courageous, robust, brave. It implies an internal fortitude to withstand opposition and not waver.
  • Of a good courage (amats, אָמַץ): To be bold, stout, resolute, fixed. This word emphasizes mental and moral fortitude, urging a spirit of bravery that does not fear.
  • Combined Phrase: These two Hebrew words often appear together to form an emphatic and comprehensive call to courage, signifying not merely physical strength, but spiritual resilience, steadfastness, and determination in the face of daunting challenges. It's an encouragement against fear, dismay, and wavering. This phrase becomes a foundational command for leaders and all believers throughout Scripture.
• for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them:
  • For: This conjunction indicates the reason and foundation for the command to "be strong and courageous"—it is directly linked to Joshua's God-appointed mission.
  • Thou shalt bring (tābô, תָּבוֹא): Future tense, certain outcome. It denotes Joshua's definitive role as the instrument through whom God's promise will be fulfilled. It emphasizes divine appointment rather than self-reliance.
  • The children of Israel: Refers to the entire nation, signifying a corporate destiny tied to Joshua's leadership.
  • Into the land: The Promised Land, Canaan, the culmination of centuries of divine promise.
  • Which I sware (nīshbaʿtî, נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי) unto them: Refers to God's binding covenantal oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:7; 15:18; 26:3; 28:13). This oath provides the ultimate divine guarantee that the task will be accomplished, underscoring God's faithfulness and making success certain, regardless of the obstacles.
• and I will be with thee:
  • And I will be with thee (ehyeh immāk, אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ): This is the ultimate source of Joshua's strength and the guarantee of his mission's success. This echoes God's promise to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:12, "Certainly I will be with thee"). It means God's presence will provide wisdom, guidance, protection, strength, and ultimate victory. It emphasizes that success flows from God's active, personal involvement, not from human ability alone.

Deuteronomy 31 23 Bonus section

This verse subtly shifts the immediate source of authority for Joshua's commission. While Moses initially charges Joshua publicly (Deut 31:7-8), here, God Himself directly intervenes, giving the same command and promise. This underscores that Joshua's authority is divinely ordained, not merely humanly transferred. It legitimizes his leadership in the eyes of the people and ensures no one can dispute his anointing. The emphasis on God's "sworn oath" to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) also highlights the unchanging nature of God's covenant promises. The land inheritance was not conditional on Israel's current righteousness but on God's foundational, unalterable promise, solidifying the grace-filled nature of their destiny, though their enjoyment of it would be affected by obedience. The continuity of "I will be with thee" from God to Moses and now to Joshua demonstrates God's consistent mode of working through His chosen instruments, providing divine backing for human leadership within His covenant.

Deuteronomy 31 23 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:23 stands as a pivotal verse, encapsulating the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua and affirming God's unfailing commitment to His covenant people. It moves beyond Moses' initial charge to Joshua and reveals a direct, divine commissioning, assuring Joshua of Yahweh's personal involvement in the upcoming conquest. The dual command "be strong and of good courage" is not a mere human exhortation; it's a divine imperative rooted in the certainty of God's purpose. Joshua is not commanded to conjure strength from within himself, but to exhibit a courage that comes from trust in God's promises. His task to lead Israel into the Promised Land, a task deemed impossible from a purely human perspective, is guaranteed because it is aligned with God's inviolable oath sworn to the patriarchs. The verse climaxes with the bedrock promise, "I will be with thee." This divine presence is the true source of Joshua's power, courage, and ultimate victory, echoing God's consistent promise to His chosen leaders and a testament to His faithfulness across generations. It teaches that where God gives a commission, He also provides the enabling presence. This principle transcends historical context, applying to all who are called by God to face significant tasks in His service.

For practical usage, this verse reassures believers undertaking new and daunting responsibilities in their faith journey that the source of strength is not in their own capabilities, but in God's ever-present companionship and power. It encourages facing spiritual battles with boldness, knowing God's sworn promises concerning His church's ultimate triumph will be fulfilled.