Deuteronomy 31:23
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just God telling Joshua to "be brave." It's a divine commissioning, ratifying his leadership directly after Moses' imminent departure and assuring him of God's personal presence. This direct divine encounter with Joshua, separate from Moses, marks a crucial transition in leadership and God's ongoing commitment to His people.
And the LORD commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Moses is nearing the end of his life, God directly commissions Joshua to take over leadership. God reassures Joshua, emphasizing the immense task of leading the Israelites into the promised land and promising His presence. This follows Moses' instructions to Moses in the tabernacle and precedes the recording of a song that will serve as a witness against Israel's future disobedience.
Moses is leaving, and Joshua is stepping up. But this isn't just a political appointment; it's a sacred transfer of leadership directly from God.
The verse emphasizes that it is 'the LORD' who gives Joshua his charge. This is crucial because it signifies that Joshua's authority and mission come directly from God, not from Moses alone.
A Consecrated Leader
This wasn't just Moses picking a successor. God Himself appears in the tabernacle, speaking directly to Joshua. This public, divine endorsement was meant to instill confidence in Joshua and authority in the eyes of the people. It's a reminder that God's chosen leaders are consecrated for their task.
The Weight of the Promise
The charge to Joshua is intrinsically linked to God's promises: 'for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them.' This highlights that leadership is about stewarding God's promises and bringing His people into His purposes.
Joshua is told to 'Be strong and courageous.' But where does this strength truly come from? It's not just about grit; it's about a powerful, accompanying reality.
The command for Joshua to 'Be strong and of a good courage' is not a call to mere human willpower. It's a mandate to rely on divine enablement, especially in light of the immense task ahead.
The Foundation of Courage
Joshua is about to lead a notoriously difficult people into a promised land, facing potential opposition. His courage isn't based on his own abilities but on the absolute certainty of God's presence. The promise 'I will be with you' is the bedrock upon which all his strength and courage must be built.
Ask a follow-up
Overcoming Fear with Faith
This divine presence is what allows Joshua to overcome the natural fear and trepidation that would accompany such a monumental task. God's 'with-ness' means His power, wisdom, and guidance are actively present. This transforms the mission from an impossible human endeavor into a divinely-backed certainty.
Understand the original words
tsavah · Hebrew Verb
To appoint, charge, or give an authoritative command to someone for a specific mission or task.
chazaq · Hebrew Adjective/Verb
A call to inner fortitude and steadfastness, grounded not in self-reliance, but in the promise of God's presence and power.
amats · Hebrew Adjective/Verb
A state of fearlessness and resolve, especially in the face of danger or great responsibility, sustained by trust in the LORD.
immi hayiti · Hebrew Preposition/Noun
The divine promise of guidance, protection, and active presence with His people, which is the foundational basis for fulfilling the mission God gives.
This charge to Joshua occurs at a pivotal moment—the very cusp of Israel entering the Promised Land after decades of wandering. It underscores that leadership transitions, even divinely appointed ones, require courage and a deep reliance on God's faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Following 400 years of slavery, God miraculously delivers the Israelites from Egypt under Moses' leadership.
c. 1406 BC
Wilderness Wandering
The Israelites wander in the wilderness for 40 years as judgment for their lack of faith, during which the older generation dies off.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses' Commissioning of Joshua
As Moses nears the end of his life, God directly commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, assuring him of His presence.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Completes the Law
Moses finishes writing the Law and entrusts the book to the Levites to be placed by the Ark of the Covenant as a witness.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Death
Moses dies on Mount Nebo after seeing the Promised Land from a distance. Joshua officially takes over leadership of Israel.
c. 1406-1399 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's command, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and conquer the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promises.
This passage directly echoes the charge given to Joshua in Deuteronomy, reiterating the commands to be strong and courageous and the promise of God's presence as he leads Israel into the promised land.
1 Chronicles 28:20Similar to the charge to Joshua, David exhorts his son Solomon to be strong and courageous, emphasizing that the Lord God, his God, will be with him in his task of building the temple.
Isaiah 41:10This prophetic promise from Isaiah assures God's people of His presence, strength, and help, mirroring the assurance given to Joshua not to fear because God is with him.
2 Timothy 1:7The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control, aligning with the divine encouragement given to Joshua to be strong and courageous.
calvinDeuteronomy 31:14-30: "And 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."
- And 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 Josh…
pulpitDeuteronomy 31:23: "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."
Verse 23. - And he gave, etc. The subject here is God, not Moses, as is evident partly from ver. 14, and partly from the expression, the land which I aware unto them; and I will be with thee (cf. Exodus 3:12).
This isn't just God telling Joshua to "be brave." It's a divine commissioning, ratifying his leadership directly after Moses' imminent departure and assuring him of God's personal presence. This direct divine encounter with Joshua, separate from Moses, marks a crucial transition in leadership and God's ongoing commitment to His people.
As Moses is nearing the end of his life, God directly commissions Joshua to take over leadership. God reassures Joshua, emphasizing the immense task of leading the Israelites into the promised land and promising His presence. This follows Moses' instructions to Moses in the tabernacle and precedes the recording of a song that will serve as a witness against Israel's future disobedience.
As Moses is nearing the end of his life, God directly commissions Joshua to take over leadership. God reassures Joshua, emphasizing the immense task of leading the Israelites into the promised land and promising His presence. This follows Moses' instructions to Moses in the tabernacle and precedes the recording of a song that will serve as a witness against Israel's future disobedience.
"And the LORD commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”" — This isn't just God telling Joshua to "be brave." It's a divine commissioning, ratifying his leadership directly after Moses' imminent departure and assuring him of God's personal presence. This dire…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
