Joshua 1:9
New International Version
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

New Living Translation
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

English Standard Version
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Berean Standard Bible
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

New American Standard Bible
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

NASB 1995
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

NASB 1977
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

Amplified Bible
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Christian Standard Bible
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the LORD your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"I have commanded you, 'Be strong and courageous! Don't tremble or be terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'"

Good News Translation
Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the LORD your God, am with you wherever you go."

International Standard Version
I've commanded you, haven't I? Be strong and courageous. Don't be fearful or discouraged, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Majority Standard Bible
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

NET Bible
I repeat, be strong and brave! Don't be afraid and don't panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do."

New Heart English Bible
Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Webster's Bible Translation
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
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be terrified nor frightened, for your God YHWH [is] with you in every [place] to where you go.”

Young's Literal Translation
Have not I commanded thee? be strong and courageous; be not terrified nor affrighted, for with thee is Jehovah thy God in every place whither thou goest.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Did I not command thee? Be strong and be active; thou shalt not fear and thou shalt not bend: for Jehovah thy God is with thee in all where thou shalt go.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold I command thee, take courage, end be strong. Fear not and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go to.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Behold, I am instructing you. Be strengthened, and be steadfast. Do not dread, and do not fear. For the Lord your God is with you in all things, wherever you may go.”

New American Bible
I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.

New Revised Standard Version
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, I have commanded you. Be strong and of good courage; fear not, neither be dismayed; for the your God is with you wherever you go.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold I have commanded you; be strong and be strengthened. You shall not fear and you shall not be moved, because LORD JEHOVAH your God is with you wherever you go.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Lo! I have commanded thee; be strong and courageous, be not cowardly nor fearful, for the Lord thy God is with thee in all places whither thou goest.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Commissions Joshua
8This 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. 9Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

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.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

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.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Matthew 28:20
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.”

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?”

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

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.

Psalm 46:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.


Treasury of Scripture

Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Have

Deuteronomy 31:7,8,28
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…

Judges 6:14
And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

Be strong

Joshua 1:6,7
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them…

be not

Genesis 28:15
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Deuteronomy 20:1
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Psalm 27:1,2
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? …

for the Lord

Psalm 46:7
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Isaiah 43:1,5
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine…

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Affrighted Afraid Commanded Courage Courageous Discouraged Dismayed Heart Orders Strong Terrified Tremble Wherever Whither Whithersoever
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Affrighted Afraid Commanded Courage Courageous Discouraged Dismayed Heart Orders Strong Terrified Tremble Wherever Whither Whithersoever
Joshua 1
1. The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses
3. The borders of the promised land
5. God promises to assist Joshua
8. He gives him instructions
10. Joshua prepares the people to pass over Jordan
12. He puts the two tribes and a half in mind of their promise to Moses
16. They promise him allegiance














Have I not commanded you?
This phrase serves as a divine reminder of the authority and direct command from God. The Hebrew root for "commanded" is "tsavah," which implies a charge or commission. This is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God’s commands are to be followed with utmost seriousness. It underscores the personal nature of God’s communication with Joshua, reminding him of the divine authority backing his leadership.

Be strong and courageous
The Hebrew words "chazaq" (strong) and "amats" (courageous) are often paired in the Old Testament to denote not just physical strength but also mental and spiritual fortitude. This exhortation is crucial as Joshua is about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, a task requiring immense bravery and reliance on God. The repetition of this command throughout the chapter emphasizes its importance and the need for Joshua to trust in God’s power rather than his own.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged
Fear and discouragement are natural human responses to daunting tasks, but God’s command here is to reject these emotions. The Hebrew word for "afraid" is "yare," which can also mean to stand in awe or reverence, but in this context, it refers to fear that paralyzes action. "Discouraged" comes from the Hebrew "chathath," meaning to be shattered or dismayed. God is instructing Joshua to maintain his resolve and confidence, knowing that God’s presence is with him.

For the LORD your God is with you
This phrase is the cornerstone of the promise, providing the reason why Joshua can be strong and courageous. The name "LORD" (YHWH) is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. The assurance of God’s presence is a recurring theme in Scripture, providing comfort and strength to His people. This divine companionship is not conditional but a steadfast promise that empowers Joshua to fulfill his mission.

wherever you go
The promise of God’s presence is not limited by geography or circumstance. The Hebrew word "halak" (go) implies a journey or walk, suggesting that God’s presence accompanies Joshua in every step of his leadership journey. This assurance is vital as Joshua leads the Israelites into unknown territories, facing numerous challenges. It is a reminder that God’s guidance and support are constant, providing a foundation of peace and confidence in the face of uncertainty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Have I not
הֲל֤וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

commanded you
צִוִּיתִ֙יךָ֙ (ṣiw·wî·ṯî·ḵā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

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

Do not
אַֽל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be afraid
תַּעֲרֹ֖ץ (ta·‘ă·rōṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6206: To cause to tremble, tremble

or discouraged,
תֵּחָ֑ת (tê·ḥāṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2865: To prostrate, to break down, either, by violence, by confusion and fear

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

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is with
עִמְּךָ֙ (‘im·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

you wherever
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

you go.”
תֵּלֵֽךְ׃ (tê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT History: Joshua 1:9 Haven't I commanded you? Be strong (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 1:8
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