King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:8 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:8 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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.

10

And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,

Read Deuteronomy 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse intensifies the promise of verse 6 with additional assurance. The phrase 'the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee' (YHWH hu haholek lephanekha) advances beyond accompaniment to leadership—God doesn't merely walk beside but goes ahead, preparing the way and facing enemies first. This military imagery portrays God as the divine commander leading His army into battle. The promise 'he will be with thee' (hu yihyeh immakh) combines pioneering leadership with intimate presence—God both precedes and accompanies. The reiterated double negative—'he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee' (lo yarphka ve'lo ya'azveka)—employs the identical Hebrew verbs as verse 6, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness. The final exhortation—'fear not, neither be dismayed' (lo tira ve'lo techath)—uses a different second verb (chathath, חָתַת) meaning 'be shattered' or 'be broken down,' addressing not just fear but the paralyzing discouragement that shatters resolve. The theological structure is consistent: divine action precedes human response—because God goes before and remains with us, we can be courageous.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These words were addressed to all Israel (not just Joshua) in Deuteronomy 31:7-8, though similar words were spoken directly to Joshua in verse 23 and Joshua 1:5-9. Moses repeated this promise multiple times because the people desperately needed to hear it—they stood at a pivotal, frightening moment in redemptive history. The phrase 'go before thee' had immediate military significance: in ancient Near Eastern warfare, the king or divine patron deity was portrayed as leading armies into battle. For Israel, this wasn't metaphorical but literal—the ark of the covenant, representing God's presence, would precede them into battle (Joshua 3-6). The promise's fulfillment is recorded throughout Joshua: Jericho's walls collapsed, Canaanite coalitions were defeated, and the land was progressively conquered because God went before Israel and remained with them. Later biblical authors quote this promise (1 Chronicles 28:20; Hebrews 13:5), demonstrating its enduring relevance for God's people in every generation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What difference does it make that God goes before us rather than simply accompanying us through challenges?
  2. How can meditating on God's past faithfulness ('he will not fail thee') strengthen confidence in His future faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַֽיהוָ֞ה1 of 15

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

ה֣וּא׀2 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַֽהֹלֵ֣ךְ3 of 15

“he it is that doth go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנֶ֗יךָ4 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

ה֚וּא5 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה6 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִמָּ֔ךְ7 of 15
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לֹ֥א8 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַרְפְּךָ֖9 of 15

“thee he will be with thee he will not fail”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

וְלֹ֣א10 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַֽעַזְבֶ֑ךָּ11 of 15

“thee neither forsake”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

לֹ֥א12 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִירָ֖א13 of 15

“thee fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְלֹ֥א14 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֵחָֽת׃15 of 15

“not neither be dismayed”

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

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 31:8 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 31:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 33:14Deuteronomy 31:6Joshua 1:9Romans 8:31Joshua 1:5Isaiah 43:1-2

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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