Deuteronomy 31:23
New International Version
The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

New Living Translation
Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: “Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

English Standard Version
And the LORD commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”

King James Bible
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

New King James Version
Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

New American Standard Bible
Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

NASB 1995
Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

NASB 1977
Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

Amplified Bible
Then He commanded and commissioned Joshua, the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the sons of Israel into the land which I have sworn to give them, and I will be with you.”

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

American Standard Version
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD told Joshua, "Be brave and strong! I will help you lead the people of Israel into the land that I have promised them."

English Revised Version
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD gave this command to Joshua, son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, because you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you."

Good News Translation
Then the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun and told him, "Be confident and determined. You will lead the people of Israel into the land that I promised them, and I will be with you."

International Standard Version
Then the LORD charged Nun's son Joshua, "Be strong and courageous, because you'll bring the Israelis to the land that I promised to them by an oath. I'll be with you."

Majority Standard Bible
Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, ?Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.?

NET Bible
and the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun, "Be strong and courageous, for you will take the Israelites to the land I have promised them, and I will be with you."

New Heart English Bible
He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them: and I will be with you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them: and I will be with thee.

World English Bible
He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then He commands Joshua son of Nun, and says, “Be strong and courageous, for you bring in the sons of Israel to the land which I have sworn to them, and I am with you.”

Young's Literal Translation
and He commandeth Joshua son of Nun, and saith, 'Be strong and courageous, for thou dost bring in the sons of Israel unto the land which I have sworn to them, and I -- I am with thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will command Joshua the son of Nun, and will say, Be strong and active: for thou shalt bring in the sons of Israel to the land which I sware to them, and I will be with thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord commanded Josue the son of Nun, and said: Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have promised, and I will be with thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord instructed Joshua, the son of Nun, and he said: “Be strong and valiant. For you shall lead the sons of Israel into the land which I have promised, and I will be with you.”

New American Bible
Then he commissioned Joshua, son of Nun, and said to him, Be strong and steadfast, for it is you who will bring the Israelites into the land which I promised them on oath. I myself will be with you.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and bold, for you shall bring the Israelites into the land that I promised them; I will be with you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said to him, Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to their fathers; and I will be with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he commanded Yeshua son of Nun and said to him: “Be strong and be strengthened because you are bringing the children of Israel into the land that I swore to them and I shall be with you.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said: 'Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore unto them; and I will be with thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he charged Joshua, and said, Be courageous and strong, for thou shalt bring the sons of Israel into the land, which the Lord sware to them, and he shall be with thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Commissions Joshua
22So that very day Moses wrote down this song and taught it to the Israelites. 23Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”

Cross References
Joshua 1:6-9
Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them. / Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. / This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. ...

Numbers 27:18-23
And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. / Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight. / Confer on him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him. ...

Joshua 1:16-18
So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. / Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. / Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”

Joshua 10:25
“Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.”

1 Chronicles 22:13
Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

1 Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

Exodus 3:10-12
Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.” / But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Judges 6:14
The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Am I not sending you?”

1 Samuel 16:12-13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Samuel 10:12
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1-2
But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! / When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”


Treasury of Scripture

And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them: and I will be with you.

he gave Joshua

Deuteronomy 31:7,8,14
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…

Joshua 1:5-9
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee…

shalt bring

Deuteronomy 31:3
The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.

Deuteronomy 3:28
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

Acts 7:45
Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

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Deuteronomy 31
1. Moses encourages the people
7. He encourages Joshua
9. He delivers the law unto the priests to be read in the seventh year
14. God gives a charge to Joshua
19. and a song to testify against the people
24. Moses delivers the book of the law to the Levites to keep
28. He makes a protestation














Then the LORD commissioned
The Hebrew word for "commissioned" is "צִוָּה" (tsavah), which means to command or appoint. This is a divine appointment, indicating that Joshua's leadership is not merely a human decision but a divine mandate. In the context of Israel's history, this commissioning is significant as it marks the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, ensuring continuity in God's plan for His people. The act of commissioning by the LORD Himself underscores the sacredness and authority of Joshua's new role.

Joshua son of Nun
Joshua, whose name in Hebrew is "יְהוֹשֻׁעַ" (Yehoshua), means "The LORD is salvation." This name is prophetic of his role in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, a type of salvation and rest. Joshua is the son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim, and has been Moses' assistant and a faithful spy. His background and experiences have prepared him for this moment, highlighting the importance of mentorship and preparation in leadership.

and said, 'Be strong and courageous
The phrase "Be strong and courageous" is a recurring exhortation in the commissioning of Joshua (see also Joshua 1:6-9). The Hebrew words "חֲזַק" (chazaq) for "strong" and "אַמֵּץ" (amats) for "courageous" convey a sense of inner fortitude and resolve. This command is not just about physical strength but also about moral and spiritual resilience. In the face of daunting challenges, Joshua is reminded that his strength comes from the LORD, who empowers and sustains His servants.

for you will bring the Israelites
The task set before Joshua is clear: to lead the Israelites into the land. This phrase emphasizes the role of Joshua as a shepherd and guide for God's people. It is a continuation of the mission that began with Abraham and was carried through Moses. Joshua's leadership is pivotal in fulfilling God's promises, and it requires obedience, faith, and reliance on God's guidance.

into the land I swore to give them
The land is a central theme in the covenantal promises of God to the patriarchs. The phrase "I swore to give them" refers to the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 15:18-21). This promise is not just about physical territory but also about a place where God's people can live in relationship with Him, fulfilling their calling as a holy nation. The fulfillment of this promise through Joshua is a testament to God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

and I will be with you
The assurance "I will be with you" is the ultimate source of Joshua's strength and courage. This promise of God's presence is foundational throughout Scripture, echoing God's assurance to Moses (Exodus 3:12) and later to the disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:20). It signifies God's personal involvement and support in the mission. For Joshua, this means that he is not alone in his leadership; God's presence guarantees success and guidance, reinforcing the truth that divine presence is the key to overcoming fear and achieving God's purposes.

(23) And he (Jehovah) gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge.--This is the first record of God's direct communion with Joshua. He was with Moses on the mount during the first forty days, and "departed not out of the Tabernacle" when they came down (Exodus 24:13; Exodus 33:11). But we have no note of any Divine communication made to Joshua apart from Moses before this. It ratifies Joshua's appointment as leader of Israel.

Be strong . . .--Comp. Joshua 1:2; Joshua 1:6.

Verse 23. - And he gave, etc. The subject here is God, not Moses, as is evident partly from ver. 14, and partly from the expression, the land which I aware unto them; and I will be with thee (cf. Exodus 3:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the LORD commissioned
וַיְצַ֞ו (way·ṣaw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

son
בִּן־ (bin-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Nun
נ֗וּן (nūn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5126: Nun -- father of Joshua

and said,
וַיֹּאמֶר֮ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Be strong
חֲזַ֣ק (ḥă·zaq)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

and courageous,
וֶֽאֱמָץ֒ (we·’ĕ·māṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 553: To be stout, strong, bold, alert

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אַתָּ֗ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

will bring
תָּבִיא֙ (tā·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the land
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

I swore to give
נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי (niš·ba‘·tî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

them,
לָהֶ֑ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

and I
וְאָנֹכִ֖י (wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

will be
אֶֽהְיֶ֥ה (’eh·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with you.”
עִמָּֽךְ׃ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 31:23 He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 31:22
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