Deuteronomy 31:6-8 is Moses’ final charge to the people of Israel and to his successor Joshua, urging them to be strong and courageous as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The reason for that courage is not their own strength but the Lord’s personal presence: he goes ahead of them, stays with them, and will not abandon them.
Moses speaks these words near the end of his life, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, as Israel stands poised to cross into Canaan. He has led them for decades, and now he must hand the task to Joshua. The passage comes at a moment of transition, when the people feel the weight of what lies ahead.
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.” 7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (WEB)
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Summary
Moses begins with a command: be strong, be courageous, and do not fear the nations living in the land. He grounds that command in a promise rather than in the people’s ability. The LORD your God goes with you, Moses says, and he will not fail you or forsake you.
He then turns to Joshua in front of all Israel and repeats the same charge, now aimed at the leader who will guide the nation into the land. Moses adds that Joshua is the one who will divide the inheritance among the people. The passage closes by repeating the promise twice more and calling for freedom from fear and discouragement.
Context of Deuteronomy 31:6-8
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, presented as a series of speeches Moses gave to Israel before his death. Tradition attributes the book to Moses, though many scholars see it as shaped over time by later editors. Its first audience was the generation that had come out of Egypt, now poised to enter Canaan after forty years in the wilderness.
The verses just before this passage explain that the LORD himself will drive out the nations ahead of Israel, just as he defeated Sihon and Og. The verses that follow describe Moses writing the law and instructing the priests to read it aloud every seven years. Verses 6-8 sit at the heart of this section, placing courage and divine presence alongside the reminder that Israel must keep the covenant.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Verse by Verse
Joshua 1:9
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
(WEB)
This verse echoes Moses’ charge to Joshua almost word for word, showing how God renewed the same command when Joshua finally stood at the edge of the Jordan. It reinforces that courage is grounded in the Lord’s presence.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
(WEB)
Isaiah speaks to a later generation facing fear and uncertainty, reminding them that God’s presence is their source of strength. The same pairing of fear and divine nearness that runs through Deuteronomy appears here in a new setting.
A Prayer Based on Deuteronomy 31:6-8
Lord, you are the one who goes before me and stays beside me in every step. When fear rises in my chest and discouragement settles on my shoulders, remind me that you have not forsaken me and never will. Give me the courage to take the next faithful step, even when I cannot see the whole road. Let my confidence rest in your character rather than in my own strength. Steady my heart and help me trust that you are with me where I am going. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is speaking in Deuteronomy 31:6-8?
Moses is speaking, first to all of Israel and then directly to Joshua, his successor. The setting is near the end of Moses’ life, as the people prepare to cross into the Promised Land.
Why does Moses repeat the command to be strong and courageous?
The repetition emphasizes how serious the task is and how much the people and Joshua need to hear it. Moses speaks it publicly so that the whole nation understands the charge is shared.
Does this passage promise that Israel will face no danger?
No, the passage acknowledges that the nations in the land are real and powerful. Its promise is that God’s presence will sustain Israel through the danger, not that danger will be absent.
