Joshua · Chapter 1 · Strength
Joshua 1:9 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
For the day that asks more than you feel ready to give.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"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.”"
KJV · King James Version
"Have not I commanded6680 thee? Be strong2388 and of a good courage553; be not afraid6206, neither be thou dismayed2865: for the LORD3068 thy God430 is with thee whithersoever thou goest3212."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses have, not, thee, good, while the WEB renders these as haven, you, courageous, don. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Joshua 1:9 in Joshua 1
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Joshua 1:9 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Joshua 1. Read the full chapter →
- v.7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
- v.8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
- v.9 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.”
- v.10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
- v.11 “Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which Yahweh your God gives you to possess it.’”
Book background
About the Book of Joshua
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Author
- Joshua (substantially)
- Date written
- c. 1400 BC
- Audience
- Israel after the conquest
- Chapters
- 24
Joshua records Israel's entry into the Promised Land — the Jordan crossing, the fall of Jericho, the campaigns of conquest, and the allotment of tribal territories. It is bookended by God's charge to "be strong and courageous" (1:9) and Joshua's closing call: "Choose this day whom you will serve" (24:15).
Setting: The conquest and division of Canaan under Joshua's leadership.
Key themes: conquest · faithfulness · inheritance · covenant · courage
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9 contains 24 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous
HICYBS
- 2
Don’t be afraid
DBA
- 3
Don’t be dismayed
DBD
- 4
for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
FYYGIW
Frequently asked
FAQ about Joshua 1:9
What does Joshua 1:9 say?
Joshua 1:9 reads: "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.”" — from the Old Testament, Joshua (Historical narrative). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Joshua 1:9 in?
Joshua 1:9 is in the book of Joshua, traditionally attributed to Joshua (substantially) and written around c. 1400 BC. Joshua is historical narrative in the Old Testament, originally addressed to Israel after the conquest. Best known for the fall of Jericho and "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD".
What is Joshua 1:9 about?
Joshua 1:9 is primarily a Bible verse about Strength, with related themes including Anxiety. Within Joshua, Joshua records Israel's entry into the Promised Land — the Jordan crossing, the fall of Jericho, the campaigns of conquest, and the allotment of tribal territories. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Joshua 1:9 in WEB and KJV?
Joshua 1:9 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "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.”". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Have not I commanded6680 thee? Be strong2388 and of a good courage553; be not afraid6206, neither be thou dismayed2865: for the LORD3068 thy God430 is with thee whithersoever thou goest3212.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Joshua 1:9?
Joshua 1:9 is 24 words in the WEB translation (136 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 7 seconds.
How can I memorise Joshua 1:9?
To memorise Joshua 1:9, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Joshua 1:9 matter in Joshua?
Joshua records Israel's entry into the Promised Land — the Jordan crossing, the fall of Jericho, the campaigns of conquest, and the allotment of tribal territories. It is bookended by God's charge to "be strong and courageous" (1:9) and Joshua's closing call: "Choose this day whom you will serve" (24:15). Joshua 1:9 sits within this larger story — Joshua as a whole emphasises conquest, faithfulness, inheritance.
How can I apply Joshua 1:9 today?
Many readers use Joshua 1:9 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Joshua 1:9 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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-
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…”
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-
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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-
Deuteronomy 31:6
“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.””
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-
Psalms 27:1
“By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
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-
Psalms 46:1
“For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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-
2 Corinthians 12:9
“He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses,…”
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-
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Read context →
-
Deuteronomy 31:8
“Yahweh 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.””
Read context →
-
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be b…”
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