Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Joshua son of Nun immediately after Moses finishes recording the song and before he completes writing the book of the law. This moment marks the formal transfer of leadership authority to Joshua.
The words — The text centers on חֲזַק (cha.Zak), literally "be strong," and וֶֽ/אֱמָץ (ve./'e.Matz), literally "be bold." These imperatives function as the direct verbal charge accompanying the divine commission.
The thread — The charge resurfaces in Deuteronomy 31:7 where Moses issues a parallel command before all Israel. It also aligns with the directive in Deuteronomy 3:28 to encourage and strengthen Joshua, and follows the instruction in Deuteronomy 31:14 to present Joshua at the Tent of Meeting.
Why it lands — The verse demands immediate obedience to a leadership mandate while anchoring that duty in a stated divine presence. It requires the reader to treat courage as a response to a sworn commitment rather than an internal achievement.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 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 31:14 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.
- 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.”
- Acts 7:45 And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,
- Deuteronomy 31:3 The LORD your God Himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua will cross ahead of you, as the LORD has said.
- Joshua 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.