Joshua 1:7
What does Joshua 1:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Joshua 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joshua 1:7 means
This second charge to be "strong and very courageous" clarifies that true success for Joshua is contingent upon strict obedience to God's Law, given through Moses. The emphasis on observing "all the law" and not deviating "to the right hand or to the left" highlights the necessity of complete adherence to God's revealed will. This unwavering obedience is presented as the direct path to "good success whithersoever thou goest," connecting spiritual fidelity with practical prosperity and victory in the mission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Only take heart and be very strong; take care to do all the law which Moses my servant gave you, not turning from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may do well in all your undertakings.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Only, be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded thee; thou dost not turn aside from it right or left, so that thou dost act wisely in every <FI>place<Fi> whither thou goest;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Take courage therefore, and be very valiant: that thou mayst observe and do all the law, which Moses my servant hath commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayst understand all things which thou dost.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Only be strong and very courageous, that thou mayest take heed to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded thee. Turn not from it to the right or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Context
Building on the general command to be strong and courageous in verse 6, this verse provides the specific method for achieving good success: diligent obedience to God's Law. It transitions from the general call to courage to the practical application of that courage through adherence to divine instruction, further emphasizing the centrality of the Law, which will be expanded upon in the next verse.
v.6Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
v.7This passage
v.8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 22:13
Then shalt thou prosper, if thou observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Jehovah charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; fear not, neither be dismayed.
- 1 Kings 2:3
and keep the charge of Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself;
- Deuteronomy 28:14
and shalt not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
- Deuteronomy 12:32
What thing soever I command you, that shall ye observe to do: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
- Joshua 11:15
As Jehovah commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua: and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that Jehovah commanded Moses.
- Deuteronomy 31:7
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of good courage: for thou shalt go with this people into the land which Jehovah hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
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