King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:7 in the King James Version says “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou mu... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 31:7 · KJV


Context

5

And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.

6

Be 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.

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.

8

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

9

And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does grounding your courage in God's promises (rather than personal ability) change your approach to leadership?
  2. What leadership transitions in your life need transparent, public affirmation to prevent confusion or conflict?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨א1 of 27

called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 27

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ3 of 27

unto Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר4 of 27

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו5 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְעֵינֵ֣י6 of 27

unto him in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָל7 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮8 of 27

of all Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

חֲזַ֣ק9 of 27

Be strong

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וֶֽאֱמָץ֒10 of 27

and of a good courage

H553

to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)

כִּ֣י11 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתָּ֗ה12 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תָּבוֹא֙13 of 27

for thou must go

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת14 of 27
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הָעָ֣ם15 of 27

with this people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֔ה16 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֶל17 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֕רֶץ18 of 27

unto the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר19 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִשְׁבַּ֧ע20 of 27

hath sworn

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

יְהוָ֛ה21 of 27

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַֽאֲבֹתָ֖ם22 of 27

unto their fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לָתֵ֣ת23 of 27

to give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֑ם24 of 27
H0
וְאַתָּ֖ה25 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תַּנְחִילֶ֥נָּה26 of 27

them and thou shalt cause them to inherit

H5157

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

אוֹתָֽם׃27 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 31:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 31:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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