Joshua 1:6 means that God is telling Joshua to be strong and courageous because he will lead Israel into the land God promised their ancestors. The verse is less a command to feel brave and more a reason to act bravely, because the outcome rests on God’s faithfulness to what he has already said. God speaks these words to Joshua, Moses’ successor, just after Moses has died and Israel stands on the edge of the Promised Land.
“Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
Joshua 1:6 (WEB)
What Joshua 1:6 Means
The phrase “be strong and courageous” is repeated throughout this passage, and it is a call to steady resolve. Strength here is not about personal confidence. Joshua faces a massive task, leading a nation across a river into territory occupied by other peoples, and God’s instruction is to hold firm rather than shrink back. Courage is presented as something to choose, grounded in what God has said.
The second half of the verse explains the basis for that courage: “you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” The word “swore” points to God’s solemn promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The verse does not promise that the journey will be easy, that no battles will be fought, or that Joshua will never be afraid. It promises that God’s word about the land will be fulfilled through Joshua’s leadership.
The Context of Joshua 1:6
The book of Joshua traditionally credited to Joshua himself, though scholars note that its final form may have been shaped later. It records Israel’s entry into Canaan after the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The original audience was the Israelites, and the book tells their story of conquest, settlement and covenant faithfulness.
Just before verse 6, God reminds Joshua that he has given every place the soles of his feet will tread on, and that no one will stand against him as God was with Moses. Just after, God repeats the call to strength and adds instructions to meditate on the law day and night. Read in this setting, verse 6 is not a standalone pep talk. It is the center of a charge that ties courage to God’s presence and to a life shaped by his word.
Key Phrases in Joshua 1:6
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”
(WEB)
This verse comes just before Joshua’s commission and uses similar language about strength and courage. Moses tells the people that the LORD will go with them and will not fail or forsake them. Reading it alongside Joshua 1:6 shows that the same assurance was given to the whole nation and then passed to their new leader.
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?
(WEB)
Psalm 27 speaks of the LORD as light and salvation, the one whom we need not fear. It helps readers see that courage rooted in God’s presence is not reckless but resting in his protection. The psalm echoes the confidence that Joshua is called to hold when facing enemies and uncertain circumstances.
A Short Prayer From Joshua 1:6
Lord, you have spoken, and your promises stand firm even when the road ahead looks too large for me. I bring you the places where I feel weak or afraid, and I ask you to make me strong and courageous in the way you have called me to be. Help me walk forward in obedience today, trusting that you are with me wherever I go. Amen.
