Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 1:38
Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses Moses during the final wilderness discourse, explaining why the adult Exodus generation will not enter the Promised Land. He designates Joshua as the immediate successor who will assume leadership before the people cross over.
The words — הָעֹמֵד לְפָנֶיךָ (ha.'o.Med le.fa.Nei.kha) translates literally as "who stands before you," denoting Joshua’s physical and administrative proximity to Moses at this transitional moment.
The thread — The command to strengthen Joshua recurs in Deuteronomy 3:28 and Deuteronomy 31:7, while Numbers 14:30 specifies that Joshua and Caleb alone from that generation will enter the land.
Why it lands — The text requires direct, practical support for the appointed leader rather than reliance on former authority or personal ambition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 3:28 But commission Joshua, encourage him, and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.”
- Numbers 14:30 Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
- Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance.
- Deuteronomy 31:23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”
- 1 Samuel 16:22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
- Exodus 24:13 So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God.
- Exodus 33:11 Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.
- Deuteronomy 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting.
- Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
- Exodus 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.”