Joshua 1:9 Text
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.”
What Joshua 1:9 Means
God opens with a question that works as a reminder: Have I not commanded you? Courage here is grounded in a prior command and a promise, not in personality. Moses had died, Joshua was now leading Israel into Canaan, and the task was daunting. The phrase "be strong and courageous" recurs in the opening of the book. The KJV "of a good courage" and the WEB "courageous" translate the same idea. Courage in the Bible is not the absence of fear; it is choosing to act in obedience while afraid, because God is present. The reason given is plain: the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. That promise is not tied to a place or a victory, but to God's company as Joshua travels. It is often used as a general pep talk, but it was a direct word to a man given a specific mission.
Context of Joshua 1:9
The book of Joshua is named for Israel's leader after Moses, and its author is unknown, though tradition connects it with Joshua himself and later editors. The events are set around the time Israel entered Canaan, often dated to the late second millennium BC. This verse comes in God's first speech to Joshua after Moses died. Just before, God told him to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night. Just after, Joshua begins giving orders to the people to prepare to cross the Jordan. To read the whole book, see random verse from Joshua.
How to Apply Joshua 1:9
Courage often looks like doing a small hard thing: making the phone call, telling the truth, showing up for the appointment. Notice that this verse says to act, not to wait until the fear leaves. Ask yourself what you already know you are supposed to do, and take that step trusting you do not go alone.
Related Verses
- Joshua 1:5-8 – 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. 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. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
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 Joshua 1:9 mean?
God tells Joshua to be strong and brave, not frightened, because God is with him wherever he goes. It was spoken as Joshua took over leadership of Israel after Moses, and it ties courage to God's presence.
Does being courageous mean not feeling afraid?
No. The verse commands courage and also tells Joshua not to be afraid, which suggests he felt fear. Biblical courage is acting faithfully while afraid, relying on God's presence instead of on your own confidence.
← Isaiah 41:10Philippians 4:6-7 →
Want a different verse? Try the Bible verse randomizer or browse all popular Bible verses.