King James Version

What Does Joshua 1:9 Mean?

Joshua 1:9 in the King James Version says “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy Go...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Joshua 1:9 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

7

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. prosper: or, do wisely

8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. have: or, do wisely

9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

10

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

This verse forms the climax of God's commissioning speech to Joshua, appearing after two previous commands to be strong and courageous (vv. 6-7). The rhetorical question "Have not I commanded thee?" emphasizes divine authority—this is not a suggestion but a command from Israel's true King. The Hebrew construction suggests incredulity: "Haven't I already commanded you? Why would you still hesitate?"

The dual command "be strong and of a good courage" combines physical strength (chazaq) and inner fortitude (amats). These are not psychological self-help mantras but theological imperatives grounded in God's character and presence. The negative commands "be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed" prohibit both sudden fear (yare) and gradual demoralization (chatat). God addresses comprehensive human weakness—both the shock of immediate danger and the wearing down of prolonged difficulty.

The foundation for courage appears in the closing promise: "for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." The Hebrew Yahweh eloheka (LORD thy God) emphasizes covenant relationship—not a distant deity but Joshua's personal God bound by promise to Israel. Divine presence (immak, "with thee") provides the ground for human courage. Geography doesn't limit this presence—"whithersoever thou goest" extends God's companionship to every location of obedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua received this command at a pivotal moment: standing on the plains of Moab with Moses dead and two million Israelites looking to him for leadership. The Jordan River lay ahead at flood stage (Joshua 3:15), and beyond it stood fortified Canaanite cities with superior military technology—iron chariots and massive walls. The generation that witnessed the Exodus was dead; Joshua led a new generation born in wilderness wandering, untested in battle.

Ancient Near Eastern conquest followed established patterns: superior forces attacking inferior ones, gradual territorial expansion, reliance on military technology. Israel's situation inverted these patterns—a ragtag nation of former slaves facing entrenched civilizations. Without divine presence, the conquest was suicide. Archaeological evidence confirms heavily fortified Canaanite cities during this period (1400-1200 BCE), making Israel's victories humanly inexplicable.

This command became paradigmatic for God's people facing impossible assignments. The phrase "be strong and of good courage" appears throughout Scripture at critical moments: David facing Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32), Hezekiah confronting Assyria (2 Chronicles 32:7), exiles returning to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 10:4). New Testament writers appropriate this promise for believers (Hebrews 13:5-6), demonstrating its transhistorical significance.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God command courage rather than promising to remove the reasons for fear, and what does this teach about facing difficulty as believers?
  2. How does the rhetorical question 'Have not I commanded thee?' address the problem of repeated doubts after receiving clear divine direction?
  3. In what specific life situations are you most prone to fear or discouragement, and how does God's promise of presence address those fears?
  4. What is the relationship between God's presence ('the LORD thy God is with thee') and human responsibility ('be strong...be not afraid')?
  5. How does Jesus' final promise 'lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20) echo and fulfill this promise to Joshua?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הֲל֤וֹא1 of 15
H3808

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

צִוִּיתִ֙יךָ֙2 of 15

“Have not I commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

חֲזַ֣ק3 of 15

“thee Be strong”

H2388

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

וֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ4 of 15

“and of a good courage”

H553

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

אַֽל5 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּעֲרֹ֖ץ6 of 15

“be not afraid”

H6206

to awe or (intransitive) to dread; hence, to harass

וְאַל7 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֵּחָ֑ת8 of 15

“neither be thou dismayed”

H2865

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

כִּ֤י9 of 15
H3588

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

עִמְּךָ֙10 of 15
H5973

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

יְהוָ֣ה11 of 15

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ12 of 15

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּכֹ֖ל13 of 15
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר14 of 15
H834

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

תֵּלֵֽךְ׃15 of 15
H1980

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Joshua 1:9 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 Joshua 1:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 28:15Jeremiah 1:7-8Psalms 27:1-2Joshua 1:6-7Deuteronomy 20:1Psalms 46:7

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