Deuteronomy 31:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 27
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ
unto Joshua
H3091
לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ
unto Joshua
Strong's:
H3091
Word #:
3 of 27
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
לְעֵינֵ֣י
unto him in the sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֣י
unto him in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 27
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
חֲזַ֣ק
Be strong
H2388
חֲזַ֣ק
Be strong
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
9 of 27
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 #:
10 of 27
to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָּבוֹא֙
for thou must go
H935
תָּבוֹא֙
for thou must go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
13 of 27
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הָעָ֣ם
with this people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
with this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֧ע
hath sworn
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֧ע
hath sworn
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
20 of 27
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽאֲבֹתָ֖ם
unto their fathers
H1
לַֽאֲבֹתָ֖ם
unto their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
22 of 27
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לָתֵ֣ת
to give
H5414
לָתֵ֣ת
to give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
23 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
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.Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Deuteronomy 1:38But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.Ephesians 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Joshua 1:6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.Deuteronomy 31:23And 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.Daniel 10:19And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
Historical Context
This commissioning (circa 1406 BC) follows Moses' private anointing of Joshua (Numbers 27:18-23) and precedes God's direct commissioning in Deuteronomy 31:23. The public nature was crucial—all Israel witnessed the leadership transfer, obligating them to follow Joshua's authority. Moses' death and Joshua's leadership transition occurred smoothly because of this careful preparation. The phrase "be strong and courageous" became Joshua's defining mandate and appears at critical junctures throughout his life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does grounding your courage in God's promises (rather than personal ability) change your approach to leadership?
- What leadership transitions in your life need transparent, public affirmation to prevent confusion or conflict?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel—this public commissioning before the entire assembly (le'ene kol-Yisra'el) transfers authority transparently, preventing succession disputes and confirming Joshua's divine appointment. Be strong and of a good courage (חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ chazaq ve'emats)—this command appears repeatedly in Joshua's commissioning (Deuteronomy 31:6, 23; Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18). Chazaq means to be strong, firm, resolute; amats means to be alert, determined, courageous. These aren't psychological qualities to manufacture but divine imperatives to obey.
For thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them—Joshua's courage rests on God's sworn oath (nishba) to the patriarchs, not on military superiority or personal ability. The promise is certain; Joshua's role is to lead Israel into what God has already guaranteed. And thou shalt cause them to inherit it (ve'atah tanchilenu)—the Hiphil (causative) form indicates Joshua will actively mediate the inheritance, dividing the land among the tribes (Joshua 13-21).