Deuteronomy 31 8

Deuteronomy 31:8 kjv

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8 nkjv

And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8 niv

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 31:8 esv

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8 nlt

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you."

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 8 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:8 assures Joshua and, by extension, all of God's people, of the Lord's unwavering presence, guidance, and faithfulness. It declares that the sovereign God initiates action, leading His people forward. He promises an unbreakable companionship, vowing never to abandon or neglect them. Consequently, those who rely on Him are exhorted to live without fear or discouragement, their courage rooted in the certainty of His perpetual aid.

Deuteronomy 31 8 Context

Deuteronomy 31 occurs during Moses' final address to the Israelites as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land, forty years after their exodus from Egypt. Moses, due to his past disobedience (Num 20:12), has been told he will not enter Canaan. This chapter marks the formal transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, who will now lead the conquest. The verse 31:8 is a direct, public commissioning of Joshua, following Moses' initial charge to him in 31:7. The context is filled with uncertainty for Israel as they face formidable nations in Canaan without Moses' leadership. The divine promise serves to alleviate potential fear and assure both Joshua, as the new leader, and the entire nation that God's presence and power, not human ability, are their true assurance of victory and success. It reiterates the themes of God's covenant faithfulness and His active role in their history.

Deuteronomy 31 8 Word analysis

• And the Lord (וַיהוָה - Adonai / YHWH): Refers to the personal, covenantal God of Israel, the self-existent One. This is the divine name YHWH, underscoring His unique authority, sovereignty, and faithfulness to His promises made to His people. He is reliable and unchanging.
• He is the One who goes before you (הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ לְפָנֶיךָ - hu haholekh lefanekha): "Goes before" implies leading, pioneering, scouting ahead, preparing the way, clearing obstacles. This signifies divine initiative and active guidance. It highlights God's strategic leadership and His role in conquering challenges on behalf of His people, as seen with the pillar of cloud and fire (Ex 13:21). This is His primary role in relation to His people entering the land.
• He will be with you (הוּא יִהְיֶה עִמָּךְ - hu yihyeh immakh): "Will be with you" indicates abiding presence, companionship, and active support. This moves beyond merely leading the way to walking alongside. It's the assurance of active, dynamic solidarity, signifying a relationship of protection and strength in every situation. This is a foundational biblical promise (e.g., Immanuel, "God with us").
• He will not leave you (לֹא יַרְפְּךָ - lo yarpekha): The root verb raphah often means "to let drop," "relax," "slacken," "let go of a grip." Here, it signifies that God will not loosen His grip on you, neglect you, or fail in His supportive presence. He maintains a firm, caring hold on His people. It reassures against any thought of God abandoning His charge.
• nor forsake you (וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ - welo ya'azbeka): The verb azav means "to abandon," "desert," "relinquish," "leave behind." Paired with "not leave," this forms a strong hendiadys, providing an emphatic double negation. It's a comprehensive promise that God will absolutely never desert His people in any sense—no matter the circumstances or how difficult the task ahead. This is a direct statement of divine covenant loyalty.
• do not fear (לֹא תִירָא - lo tira'): An imperative commanding a state of courage and confidence. "Fear" refers to dread, terror, panic in the face of daunting challenges or enemies. This command is a common exhortation throughout Scripture, always rooted in the assurance of God's presence and power (Isa 41:10). It implies trust in God's sufficiency despite perceived dangers.
• nor be dismayed (וְלֹא תֵחָתּ - welo techat): Another imperative, closely related to fear. "Dismayed" comes from ḥathath, meaning "to be broken," "crushed," "terrified," "losing heart," or "paralyzed by fear." It refers to a psychological state of despondency or utter loss of courage. The command urges a robust and resilient spirit, free from being demoralized by the challenges.

Words-group Analysis:

• "The Lord...He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you": This pairing emphasizes both God's pioneering initiative (leading the way into new territories or challenges) and His sustaining companionship (being present throughout the journey). He doesn't just point the way but also walks alongside and actively participates in the journey. This highlights both His transcendence and immanence.
• "He will not leave you nor forsake you": This dual negation offers an extremely powerful and absolute assurance of God's faithfulness. "Not leave" (relax His grip) and "nor forsake" (abandon) cover every conceivable aspect of withdrawal or desertion. It highlights the unbreakable nature of God's commitment to His covenant people, assuring them of continuous support and protection, reinforcing that their success is contingent upon His loyalty.
• "do not fear nor be dismayed": These imperatives are a direct consequence of the divine promises. Because God has made such unwavering commitments, there is no legitimate reason for human apprehension or despair. This commands a response of profound trust and confidence, indicating that fear is incompatible with reliance on the Almighty God who is "with you."

Deuteronomy 31 8 Bonus section

• Echoing Theme: The phrase "He will not leave you nor forsake you" becomes a key divine pledge, re-appearing not only in the commissioning of Joshua (Josh 1:5) but significantly affirmed in the New Testament to believers in Hebrews 13:5, showing the continuity of God's character across the testaments.
• The Divine Initiative: The emphasis on "He is the One who goes before you" (past, continuous action) highlights that God's plan precedes and dictates human action. Success comes not from human planning and strategy primarily, but from aligning with God's ongoing movement and presence.
• Implicit Polemic: This verse implicitly contrasts YHWH with pagan deities. Unlike gods of the surrounding nations who might be capricious, distant, or localized, the God of Israel is personal, consistently present, omnipresent, and deeply committed to His covenant with His people, actively leading and never abandoning. This distinguishes His faithful and powerful nature.
• Leadership Foundation: For Joshua, and subsequently for any leader appointed by God, this promise removes the impossible burden of needing to rely solely on personal strength. True leadership relies on acknowledging and resting in God's prior action, current presence, and unyielding support.

Deuteronomy 31 8 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:8 encapsulates the bedrock of biblical faith: God's unwavering character and His active commitment to His people. It is Moses' ultimate reassurance to Joshua and to Israel before they undertake the daunting task of conquering Canaan. The verse firmly grounds Israel's future success not in Joshua's strength, military prowess, or Israel's numbers, but entirely in the covenant faithfulness and powerful presence of YHWH. He is the vanguard, guiding the way, ensuring safe passage and ultimate victory. More intimately, He promises continuous companionship, refusing to release His hold or abandon His people. This comprehensive divine fidelity leaves no room for human dread or despondency. The command "do not fear nor be dismayed" is not an arbitrary rule, but a logical exhortation based on the unshakable reality of God's identity and commitment. This timeless promise transcends the immediate context of the Israelite conquest; it serves as a powerful declaration for all believers facing uncertain futures, challenging tasks, or overwhelming circumstances, reminding them that God’s presence ensures courage and hope. For example, a student facing daunting exams can rely on this promise, as can a professional beginning a new career or ministry leaders venturing into new endeavors. The core message remains: if God goes before you and is with you, you have no cause for fear or despair.