What Joshua 1:9 Means

Joshua 1:9

“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.”Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

What Joshua 1:9 means

God's charge to Joshua as he faced an overwhelming task: be strong and of a good courage, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Courage here is not self-generated; it rests entirely on God's promised presence.

Joshua 1:9 means that God commanded Joshua to be strong and of a good courage, and not to be afraid or dismayed, because the LORD his God would be with him wherever he went. Joshua stood at the edge of the Jordan River, facing the daunting task of leading Israel into the promised land after Moses had died. The courage God calls for here is not self-confidence or a naturally brave personality; it rests entirely on God's promised presence. The command is repeated so often in this chapter that its foundation is unmistakable: be strong, not because the task is small, but because God goes with you.

Joshua 1:9 in different translations

King James Version (KJV)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.

World English Bible (WEB)Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

American Standard Version (ASV)Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Understanding Joshua 1:9

God gives this charge three times in Joshua 1 (verses 6, 7, and 9), each time tying courage to His presence and His Word. Joshua was stepping into the place of Moses and facing fortified cities and real enemies; the fear was reasonable, but God's nearness was greater.

A faithful reading does not treat 'be strong and of a good courage' as a call to summon bravery from within. It is a call to trust the God who promises, 'I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee' (Joshua 1:5). That same presence is Christ's promise to His people: 'lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20).

Joshua 1:9 in context

8This 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. 9Have 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. 10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

A prayer

Father, thank You for Joshua 1:9. 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 Joshua 1:9 mean?

It means God commands His people to be strong and courageous, and not to fear, because He is with them wherever they go. The courage is grounded in God's presence, not in our own strength.

Who said 'be strong and courageous' in Joshua 1:9?

God said it to Joshua, encouraging him as he prepared to lead Israel across the Jordan into the promised land after the death of Moses.

Why did God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous?

Because Joshua faced an overwhelming task, leading a whole nation into a land of fortified cities and enemies. God grounded his courage in a promise: 'the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.'

What is the promise in Joshua 1:9?

The promise is God's presence: 'for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.' Every command to be strong rests on that assurance.

How can Joshua 1:9 help me with fear?

It moves the focus off your own strength and onto God's presence with you. You are not told to feel brave; you are told that God is with you, which is the real reason not to fear.

How many times does God tell Joshua to be courageous?

Three times in the first chapter (Joshua 1:6, 7, and 9), each time linking courage to His presence and His Word, so the command is impossible to miss.

Is Joshua 1:9 in the Old or New Testament?

The Old Testament. It is found in the book of Joshua, chapter 1, verse 9, at the start of Israel's entry into the promised land.

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