Deuteronomy 31:6 Text
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.”
What Deuteronomy 31:6 Means
Moses speaks these words as the people of Israel stand on the edge of a land filled with powerful, well-armed nations. The command to be strong and courageous is not a pep talk about self-confidence. The reason given is outside the speaker: God himself goes with them. The courage on offer is borrowed from a presence, not manufactured from willpower. The promise has two halves, that God will not fail them and will not forsake them, and both are about faithfulness over time, not guaranteed ease. The WEB uses courageous where the KJV says of a good courage, and the fuller KJV phrase hints at courage as something chosen and steady. It is worth noticing what is not promised: the enemies do not vanish, and the journey is not painless. Later writers, including the author of Hebrews, echo this line to encourage believers facing uncertainty of their own.
Context of Deuteronomy 31:6
Moses delivers this speech in the book of Deuteronomy, near the end of his life, to a new generation of Israelites gathered east of the Jordan River, probably in the late period of the wilderness years. He knows he will not enter the land with them. Just after this he repeats the message to Joshua, his successor, and then hands over the written law. To read the whole book, see random verse from Deuteronomy.
How to Apply Deuteronomy 31:6
When you face something that feels too large, try separating two questions: how strong am I, and who is with me. You can act with care, prepare well, and still ask for steadiness. If you are afraid, that does not mean you have failed; courage usually walks beside fear, not in place of it.
Related Verses
- 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.
- Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
- Psalm 27:1 – 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?
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Courage, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does be strong and courageous mean in the Bible?
It is a call to act faithfully despite fear, based on the belief that God is present. In this passage it addresses a people about to face daunting enemies. Courage here rests on God's promise to accompany them, not on their own ability.
Is Deuteronomy 31:6 a promise for Christians today?
It was spoken to Israel, but later Scripture, such as Hebrews 13:5, applies the same assurance of God's presence to believers. Most readers take the heart of it, that God does not abandon his people, as encouraging today, while remembering it does not promise a trouble-free road.
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