Deuteronomy 31:7 kjv
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
Deuteronomy 31:7 nkjv
Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.
Deuteronomy 31:7 niv
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.
Deuteronomy 31:7 esv
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.
Deuteronomy 31:7 nlt
Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, "Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land.
Deuteronomy 31 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 31:6 | Be strong and courageous... for the LORD your God goes with you... | God's direct command to the people. |
| Deut 31:23 | He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and courageous... | God's command to Moses concerning Joshua. |
| Num 27:18-23 | And the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun... lay your hand on him..." | Moses' initial commissioning of Joshua as per God's command. |
| Jos 1:6 | "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land... | God's direct charge to Joshua immediately after Moses' death. |
| Jos 1:7 | Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law... | Emphasis on courage linked to obedience to God's law. |
| Jos 1:9 | Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous... the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” | God's promise of presence as the source of strength. |
| Jos 1:18 | ...Whoever rebels against your command and does not obey your words... shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” | Israel's affirmation of Joshua's authority. |
| Gen 12:7 | ...To your offspring I will give this land... | The initial promise of land to Abraham. |
| Gen 15:18 | On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land..." | God's covenant oath for the land. |
| Gen 26:3 | ...I will give all these lands to you and to your offspring, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. | Confirmation of the land promise to Isaac. |
| Gen 35:12 | The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” | Confirmation of the land promise to Jacob. |
| Ex 6:8 | I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession... | God's intention to fulfill the oath and give possession. |
| Deut 1:8 | See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land... | Moses reiterates the command to take possession. |
| Deut 7:9 | Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love... | Reinforces God's covenant faithfulness. |
| Deut 9:5 | ...Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart... but because of the promise... | The land as a gift of grace, not earned. |
| Num 33:53 | “You shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess." | Direct command to take possession of the land. |
| Ps 27:14 | Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage... | Universal spiritual application of strength and courage. |
| Ps 37:29 | The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. | Broader concept of spiritual inheritance and security. |
| 1 Chr 22:13 | Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes... Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. | David's charge to Solomon, echoing Joshua's commissioning. |
| 1 Kin 8:56 | “Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed..." | Fulfillment of God's promises in King Solomon's time. |
| Eph 6:10 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. | Spiritual application: strength from Christ. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. | Source of courage: Holy Spirit. |
| Heb 11:8 | By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out... not knowing where he was going. | Connection to the faith of the patriarchs concerning the promised land. |
Deuteronomy 31 verses
Deuteronomy 31 7 Meaning
Deuteronomy 31:7 captures a pivotal moment of leadership transition in Israel's history. Moses, on the verge of his death, formally commissions Joshua as his successor in the presence of the entire nation. This act of divine appointment and public endorsement serves to instill confidence in Joshua's authority. The core message to Joshua is to "Be strong and courageous," an exhortation crucial for the formidable task of leading Israel into the Promised Land. This charge is immediately followed by the divine promise that Joshua, empowered by the Lord, would lead the people into the land that God had solemnly sworn to their forefathers, ensuring they would possess it as an inheritance.
Deuteronomy 31 7 Context
Deuteronomy 31 occurs as Moses nears the end of his life and ministry, addressing the generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land. This chapter marks a critical transition, preparing the people for leadership under Joshua. Moses formally passes on authority, encourages the nation, commands the reading of the Law, and gives Joshua his specific charge. Historically, this moment follows forty years of wilderness wandering and precedes the immediate conquest of Canaan. It sets the tone for the Book of Joshua, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises despite Israel's past rebellions. The public commissioning ensures legitimacy and unified support for Joshua's leadership as they face the significant military and spiritual challenges ahead.
Deuteronomy 31 7 Word analysis
- "And Moses called Joshua": Moses (Moshe, meaning "drawn out" of water), the great deliverer and law-giver, is the agent of divine will here. "Called" signifies a deliberate, formal summoning for an important public declaration and commissioning, marking an intentional transfer of leadership, not merely an informal conversation. Joshua (Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh saves" or "Yahweh is salvation") is God's chosen successor, prefiguring the ultimate salvation found in Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew).
- "and said to him in the sight of all Israel": This emphasizes the public nature of the commissioning. It ensured legitimacy, transparency, and instilled confidence in Joshua's authority among the entire community. It was a formal divine investiture witnessed by the whole nation, affirming his God-ordained role and securing collective accountability and future obedience to his leadership.
- "Be strong and courageous": This double exhortation is paramount. "Strong" (Hebrew: chazaq, to be firm, strengthen, hold fast) speaks to internal resolve and firmness, both morally and in purpose. "Courageous" (Hebrew: 'amets, to be stout, bold, valiant) implies boldness in the face of fear or immense challenge. These qualities were not inherent but required divine enablement and conscious effort. They underscore the monumental, daunting task of conquering Canaan, facing powerful enemies, and managing a sometimes-rebellious people. This phrase recurs in pivotal biblical contexts when great tasks are commanded.
- "for you shall go with this people into the land": This phrase highlights Joshua's active role. He is not merely directing from afar but will personally accompany and lead the nation through the difficult process of conquest and settlement. "This people" refers to the covenant community, a mix of faithfulness and frequent failure, whom God chose to bless and through whom He would manifest His power. "The land" refers to Canaan, the physical inheritance promised to Israel, central to God's covenant with the patriarchs.
- "that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them": This clarifies the foundation of Israel's right to the land: God's covenant oath. "LORD" (Hebrew: YHWH, the covenant-keeping God) emphasizes His unchanging character. "Sworn" (Hebrew: shava, to make an oath) signifies a binding, unbreakable commitment, establishing the land's possession as a divine gift and an act of faithfulness on God's part. "Their fathers" refers specifically to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, connecting the present generation to the foundational promises and validating their claim. The giving of the land is by divine grace, not Israel's merit.
- "and you shall put them in possession of it": Joshua's primary, direct responsibility. "Put them in possession" (Hebrew: nachal, to cause to inherit, to divide, to apportion) clarifies his role as the instrument through whom the land would be taken, conquered, and eventually allotted among the tribes. It includes both military conquest and administrative distribution. This emphasizes divine sovereignty (God gives) working in conjunction with human responsibility (Joshua leads to possess).
Deuteronomy 31 7 Bonus section
The concept of "Be strong and courageous" often comes when the task seems overwhelming, reminding us that true strength and courage originate from reliance on God's presence and promises, not on our own power. Moses’ transfer of leadership to Joshua is a prime example of God raising up leaders for specific seasons and tasks. This moment is not merely a political transition but a covenantal one, deeply tied to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for Israel and ultimately, through them, for all humanity. The inheritance of the physical land points towards a deeper, spiritual inheritance promised in the New Covenant through Christ, which is also secured by God's unwavering oath and accessible by faith, empowering believers to be "strong and courageous" in living out their callings.
Deuteronomy 31 7 Commentary
Deuteronomy 31:7 serves as a poignant transfer of authority, embodying divine appointment and human responsibility. Moses, having led Israel for forty years, commissions Joshua in the public eye of the entire nation, affirming that God Himself has chosen this successor. The dual command "Be strong and courageous" is not a mere platitude but a deep spiritual imperative for a leader facing daunting tasks: conquering formidable nations and shepherding a people prone to doubt. This strength and courage are explicitly rooted not in Joshua's personal abilities but in the unwavering promise that the Lord has sworn to give the land to Israel's forefathers. Joshua's task is therefore to be God's faithful instrument in the fulfillment of an already guaranteed divine promise. His leadership ensures the physical inheritance of the land, an inheritance already secured by God's covenant, emphasizing that God fulfills His word through chosen, empowered vessels. This act underscores God's meticulous care for His people, ensuring continued leadership and the faithful execution of His redemptive plan even as one generation passes. It highlights the importance of public validation in spiritual leadership and the fact that God’s faithfulness undergirds every command and promise.