What Deuteronomy 31:6 Means

Deuteronomy 31:6

“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.”Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)

What Deuteronomy 31:6 means

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not; for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee. Courage rests on God's promise never to fail you or forsake you as you go.

Deuteronomy 31:6 is a call to courage grounded not in your own strength but in God's presence. "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." The command to be brave comes with a reason attached, and the reason is everything: God Himself goes with you. Fear is not defeated by pretending the danger is small, but by knowing the One beside you is greater. The double promise, "he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee," means He will neither let you down nor walk away, no matter what lies ahead. So courage here is really trust; you can face what frightens you because you are not facing it alone.

Deuteronomy 31:6 in different translations

King James Version (KJV)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.

World English Bible (WEB)Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”

American Standard Version (ASV)Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them: for Jehovah thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Understanding Deuteronomy 31:6

Moses is speaking to all Israel at the end of his life, in the book of Deuteronomy, which gathers his final words before the people cross into the promised land. In chapter 31 Moses announces that he will not go with them and that Joshua will lead instead, which is a frightening transition for the nation. Verse 6 is spoken to the whole people, and a few verses later Moses repeats the same charge directly to Joshua. The setting is a threshold moment, standing at the edge of an unknown land full of real enemies, exactly when courage is hardest and most needed.

This verse does not promise that nothing hard will happen or that the enemies are not real; Israel would indeed face battles. It does not mean courage is a feeling you must manufacture on your own. What it means is that God's unfailing presence is the ground of bravery, so fear loses its final power. The New Testament picks up these very words in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," applying the promise to believers in Christ. Because Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, and because He said "lo, I am with you alway," this ancient assurance now belongs to everyone who trusts Him.

Deuteronomy 31:6 in context

5And 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. 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. 7And 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.

A prayer

Father, thank You for Deuteronomy 31:6. Let this word be more than ink to me; write it on my heart, and help me to believe it and live it today. In Jesus' name, amen.

Questions people ask

What does Deuteronomy 31:6 mean in simple terms?

It means you can be brave and stop being afraid because God is going with you and will never abandon you. The courage is not about faking toughness; it comes from knowing you are not alone. God promises both to stay with you and to never let you down.

Who is speaking in Deuteronomy 31:6?

Moses is speaking to the people of Israel near the end of his life. He is preparing them to enter the promised land without him. He is handing leadership to Joshua and urging the nation to be courageous.

Is Deuteronomy in the Old or New Testament?

Deuteronomy is in the Old Testament; it is the fifth book of the Bible. It records Moses' final speeches to Israel before they crossed into the promised land. Its name means roughly "second law," as Moses restates God's instruction.

What does "he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" mean?

"Fail" means to let go or grow slack, and "forsake" means to abandon or leave behind. Together they promise that God will neither loosen His grip on you nor walk away. It is a double assurance of His steady, lasting presence.

What is the context of this verse?

Israel is at the border of the promised land, and Moses has just told them he will not lead them across. Joshua is stepping into leadership, and the people face real enemies ahead. Into that fear Moses speaks this charge to be strong.

How can I use this verse when I am afraid?

Let it move your focus from the size of the threat to the presence of God with you. When fear rises, name the specific promise: He will not fail you and will not forsake you. Courage grows not by ignoring the danger but by trusting the One who goes with you into it.

Is Deuteronomy 31:6 quoted in the New Testament?

Yes, Hebrews 13:5 draws on it, saying, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." The writer applies the promise to Christians as a reason to live free of fear and greed. So this Old Testament assurance is confirmed for believers in Jesus.

Let this verse become part of your life

Read it in the app, keep it, and let it lead you to Christ.

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