Deuteronomy Chapter 31 · Verse 23
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ
And he gave Joshua
H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ
And he gave Joshua
Strong's:
H3091
Word #:
3 of 22
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
חֲזַ֣ק
Be strong
H2388
חֲזַ֣ק
Be strong
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
7 of 22
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וֶֽאֱמָץ֒
and of a good courage
H553
וֶֽאֱמָץ֒
and of a good courage
Strong's:
H553
Word #:
8 of 22
to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָּבִיא֙
for thou shalt bring
H935
תָּבִיא֙
for thou shalt bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי
which I sware
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי
which I sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
18 of 22
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:14And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.Acts 7:45Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;Deuteronomy 3:28But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.
Historical Context
Delivered circa 1406 BC in Moses's final month. Joshua had waited forty years for this moment—since spying out Canaan as a young man alongside Caleb (Numbers 13-14). Only he and Caleb from their generation would enter the Promised Land. Joshua faced enormous challenges: conquering fortified cities, leading a new generation, maintaining covenant faithfulness. Yet God's presence assured success. Joshua's subsequent career vindicated this promise: he conquered Canaan, divided the land, and served faithfully until his death (Joshua 24).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God's commission to difficult tasks always include promise of His presence? What does this reveal?
- How does 'be strong' differ from self-reliant confidence versus God-dependent courage?
- What impossible tasks has God assigned you, and how does His promised presence empower obedience?
Analysis & Commentary
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage—Moses's commissioning echoed God's earlier words (31:7-8), now delivered personally. The Hebrew chazaq ve-ematz (חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ) means 'be strong and resolute/steadfast.' For thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee—the promise of divine presence accompanied the daunting commission. Joshua would succeed not through personal capability but God's enabling presence.
This charge established a pattern repeated throughout Scripture: God assigns humanly impossible tasks accompanied by promise of His presence. The combination of command (be strong) and promise (I will be with you) appears with Moses (Exodus 3:12), Joshua repeatedly (Joshua 1:5-9), Gideon (Judges 6:12-16), and ultimately with the Great Commission: 'Go... and surely I am with you always' (Matthew 28:19-20). Human strength alone fails; divine presence makes success certain despite overwhelming odds.