Deuteronomy 31 6

Deuteronomy 31:6 kjv

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 31:6 nkjv

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6 niv

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6 esv

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6 nlt

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 6 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:6 is a foundational exhortation delivered by Moses to the Israelites, especially relevant as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. It is a dual command and promise: Be strong and courageous, and do not fear or be dismayed by your adversaries. The basis for this fortitude is the unfailing presence of the Lord their God, who accompanies them and will never abandon or desert them. This verse instills confidence not in human capability, but in the unwavering faithfulness of God, who goes before His people.

Deuteronomy 31 6 Context

Deuteronomy 31 details the final acts and addresses of Moses before his death and the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land. The chapter immediately follows the renewal of the covenant and the recounting of God's law. Moses is passing the mantle of leadership to Joshua, who will lead the formidable task of conquering Canaan. Verses 1-8 describe Moses encouraging the entire nation and then commissioning Joshua in front of them, emphasizing God's role in the conquest. The immediate historical context is a pivotal transition point for Israel: leaving the wilderness generation behind and facing a new era of warfare and settlement. The fear of the formidable Canaanite nations, with their fortified cities and military might, was a real concern for the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 31 6 Word analysis

• Be strong: Hebrew: חִזְקוּ (khiz'qū), from the root חָזַק (khazaq). This verb implies firmness, moral steadfastness, courageous determination, and strengthening oneself or being strengthened. It's not about physical strength alone, but mental and spiritual resolve. The command to 'be strong' implies an active choice and reliance, knowing that the source of that strength is divine.
• and courageous: Hebrew: וְאִמְצוּ (wə'im'tzū), from the root אָמַץ (amatz). This term signifies being bold, firm, resolute, and showing fortitude. Paired with 'khazaq,' it forms a hendiadys, emphasizing the complete inner resolve needed to face overwhelming opposition. This pairing is frequently used when leaders or the people are commanded to embark on difficult tasks with divine backing.
• Do not be afraid: Hebrew: לֹא תִירְאוּ (lo tir'ū), from יָרֵא (yare'). This indicates fear, dread, or being terrified. The negation "lo" emphasizes an absolute prohibition against yielding to such a debilitating emotion. It addresses the natural human response to perceived danger and weakness.
• or terrified: Hebrew: וְלֹא תַעַרְצוּ (wəlo ta'ar'tzū), from עָרַץ (aratz). This means to dread, cower, be broken, or be in terror. Like 'khazaq' and 'amatz', 'yare' and 'aratz' are often paired to convey the fullest extent of fear, from apprehension to utter dread and panic. This specifically highlights fear that causes one to shrink back or break down.
• because of them: Refers to the nations of Canaan whom Israel was about to confront. It grounds the abstract commands in a concrete threat, acknowledging the natural human fear of formidable enemies. The exhortation directly confronts their present challenge.
• for the Lord your God: Hebrew: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (YHWH Eloheykhem). "YHWH" is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His unchanging, faithful nature. "Eloheykhem" (your God) stresses the intimate, possessive, covenantal relationship God has with Israel. This highlights the theological foundation of their courage; it rests entirely on God's character and commitment. This phrasing counters any belief in the superiority of local Canaanite deities.
• goes with you: Hebrew: הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּךְ (hu haholekh immakh). This is a strong affirmation of God’s active presence and leadership. It signifies divine companionship and leadership into battle. God is not merely present; He is actively leading and engaging with His people, even literally marching before them as the vanguard (as often implied in Israel's warfare, e.g., Judg 4:14, 2 Sam 5:24).
• he will never leave you: Hebrew: לֹא יַרְפְּךָ (lo yar'pəkhā), from רָפָה (raphah). This implies loosening one's grip, slacking off, relaxing, abandoning, or letting go. The emphatic negative states that God will not loosen His hand from His people or their cause.
• nor forsake you: Hebrew: וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ (wəlo ya'az'vekā), from עָזַב (azab). This means to leave, abandon, or desert. Paired with 'raphah', this forms another emphatic double negative, powerfully conveying God's utter faithfulness. He will neither release His support nor desert them. This provides absolute assurance against loneliness or vulnerability.

Words-group analysis:

• "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified": This dual command (positive then negative) encapsulates a complete call to mental and spiritual resilience. It moves from active strength and boldness to the prohibition of passive fear and panic. It acknowledges the natural human tendency towards fear in the face of daunting challenges but provides a divine antidote. This pairing suggests that courage is not the absence of fear, but acting despite it, powered by a deeper trust.
• "for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you": This clause provides the reason and basis for the commands. The human capacity for courage and fearlessness is presented as a direct outflow of God's unwavering presence and faithfulness. This polemic against self-reliance and pagan polytheism (where gods might be fickle or abandon their people) asserts the singular reliability of YHWH. The double negative "never leave you nor forsake you" underscores the covenantal commitment and protective care of God with supreme emphasis. This is the bedrock of Israel's confidence.

Deuteronomy 31 6 Bonus section

The promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:5 ("I will never leave you nor forsake you") is so pivotal that it is quoted directly in the New Testament in Hebrews 13:5, assuring believers under the New Covenant of God's unceasing presence and support. This demonstrates the enduring nature of God’s character and promises across dispensations. The repeated call for strength and courage in this and similar passages throughout the Old Testament indicates that it is not merely a natural trait, but a divinely commanded and enabled characteristic, directly flowing from trust in God’s faithful presence. The phrase "the Lord your God goes with you" implicitly counters pagan beliefs in deities who might abandon their worshipers or whose power was localized and limited, affirming YHWH’s supremacy and active engagement in the world.

Deuteronomy 31 6 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:6 serves as a powerful anchor for the nation of Israel as they embark on their divinely ordained mission. It directly addresses the natural fear and anxiety that arise when facing overwhelming odds. Moses, recognizing the people’s humanity, does not simply command them to "not fear," but immediately grounds this command in the immutable character and actions of God. The imperative to "be strong and courageous" is not a call to self-generated heroism, but an exhortation to lean into God's presence and promise. Their strength would come from knowing that the very Creator of the universe, their covenant Lord, was not merely alongside them, but actively "going with" and even ahead of them. This promise of steadfast presence – "will never leave you nor forsake you" – becomes the foundation for all subsequent battles, challenges, and periods of doubt. It transitions fear into faith, relying not on military might or numerical superiority, but on the divine ally who initiates, sustains, and completes the mission. This truth provides ultimate security, reminding them that their success and survival are contingent upon God's enduring faithfulness, not their own perfection.

• Practical usage:
  • When facing a new and daunting challenge (e.g., career change, significant illness, difficult decision), remember God's promise to "never leave you nor forsake you."
  • If overwhelmed by fear or anxiety, recall that strength and courage come from trusting in God's presence, not from inner self-sufficiency.
  • In moments of feeling isolated or abandoned, anchor your heart in the truth that the Lord actively goes with you and remains by your side.