What does Joshua 1:9 mean?

Joshua 1:9 (KJV) reads: "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." It sits in Joshua chapter 1, a piece of conquest narrative from the Old Testament, and is most often read as a verse about farewell. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how Joshua as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of Joshua 1:9 in Joshua?

Joshua 1:9 belongs to Joshua 1, which fits inside Joshua's wider message as conquest narrative. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is Joshua 1:9 from the Old or New Testament?

Joshua 1:9 is from the Old Testament — specifically the book of Joshua, chapter 1. That matters because Old Testament verses are usually addressed first to ancient Israel under the Mosaic covenant, and Christians read them through the lens of Christ's fulfilment.

What translation of Joshua 1:9 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise Joshua 1:9?

Read Joshua 1:9 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of farewell so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply Joshua 1:9 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around farewell — where Joshua 1:9 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Farewell Card Verse

Joshua 1:9 for Farewell Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Farewell

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Joshua 1:9

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why Joshua 1:9 works for farewell cards

Wherever they go, God goes. The most comprehensive farewell promise.

"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Read Joshua 1 (KJV) →

How to use this farewell card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read Joshua 1 in the KJV.

More Farewell card verses

Numbers 6:24-26

"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."

Deuteronomy 31:8

"And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

Psalm 121:7-8

"The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth."

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart... and he shall direct thy paths."

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil."

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God."

Philippians 1:3

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."

See all 11 farewell card verses →