Joshua 1:6 is God’s command to Joshua to be strong and courageous, grounded in a promise that Israel will receive the land God had sworn to their ancestors. God speaks these words directly to Joshua, who has just taken over leadership from Moses, at the moment Israel stands on the edge of the Jordan River, ready to enter Canaan.
“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 verse opens with a command: “Be strong and courageous.” The Hebrew words carry the sense of firmness and resolve, a steadiness that holds ground when everything around is uncertain. God does not say Joshua will feel fearless. He tells him to be strong and brave anyway, which is a different thing, and a more useful one.
The reason for that courage follows in the second half. God says Joshua “shall cause this people to inherit the land.” Joshua will lead the work of taking possession, but the land itself is God’s gift, promised long before to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The courage is therefore not based on Joshua’s own ability. It rests on God’s faithfulness to what he has already sworn.
The verse does not promise an easy campaign, a bloodless conquest, or that every battle will go Israel’s way. It promises that the purpose God has set will be carried through, and that Joshua’s task is to stand firm while it happens.
The Context of Joshua 1:6
The book of Joshua is traditionally attributed to Joshua himself, though it likely took its final shape later, drawing on earlier records. It was written for the Israelite community, and it tells how the people entered and settled the land after the wilderness years. Joshua 1 opens the book by establishing who will lead and on what basis.
Just before verse 6, God describes the borders of the land and promises that no one will be able to stand against Joshua, because God will be with him as he was with Moses. Just after, God repeats the call to courage and adds, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Read in that setting, verse 6 is not a standalone pep talk. It is the central pillar of a passage built around God’s presence and God’s 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 from Moses, just before he hands leadership to Joshua. It sets the same pattern of courage rooted in God’s presence and faithfulness, showing that the call in Joshua 1:6 continues a charge that began before Joshua ever crossed the Jordan.
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)
David’s words here express the deeper reason behind courage: the Lord is light and salvation. They help explain why Joshua could stand firm, since courage flows from knowing who God is and not only from knowing what God has commanded.
A Short Prayer From Joshua 1:6
Lord, you spoke courage to Joshua when the road ahead was long and the people were waiting on him. Help me to be strong and steady in the places where I am tempted to shrink back. Remind me that the promises you have made do not depend on my strength, and that you are faithful to what you have sworn. Give me the courage to take the next step with you today, trusting that you will bring about what you have purposed. Amen.
