Who Was Joshua in the Bible — In Biblical Context
Joshua was Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land and conquered Canaan through faith and obedience to God.
Joshua was Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land and conquered Canaan through faith and obedience to God.
"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." — Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Joshua served as Moses' assistant from his youth and was one of only two spies (with Caleb) who gave a faithful report about Canaan. After Moses' death, God commissioned Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan River and conquer the Promised Land. God repeatedly told him to 'be strong and of a good courage' (Joshua 1:6-9). Under Joshua's leadership, the walls of Jericho fell, the land was divided among the tribes, and Israel established itself in Canaan. His farewell speech challenged Israel with the famous declaration: 'As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD' (Joshua 24:15).
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Joshua 1:9, sits inside Joshua 1. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
"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."
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