The Meaning of Joshua 1:6 Explained

Joshua 1:6

KJV: Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

YLT: be strong and courageous, for thou -- thou dost cause this people to inherit the land which I have sworn to their fathers to give to them.

Darby: Be strong and courageous, for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I have sworn unto their fathers to give them.

ASV: Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Be strong  and of a good courage:  for unto this people  shalt thou divide for an inheritance  the land,  which I sware  unto their fathers  to give  them. 

What does Joshua 1:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

God exhorted Joshua on the basis of this promise ( Joshua 1:5) to be "strong" and "courageous" (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6). Ownership of the land depended on God"s faithfulness, but occupation of the land depended on Israel"s faithfulness (cf. Deuteronomy 30:20).
The writer stressed two major theological points in this book: Yahweh"s faithfulness in giving Israel the Promised Land, and Yahweh"s hatred of sin. [1]
"The word "inherit" [2] used to describe the future possession of the land, is of rich theological significance. It has subsequently become a NT term for the enjoyment of the spiritual blessings of salvation (e.g, 1 Peter 1:4)." [3]
The same Hebrew word (nahal [4] or nahala [5]) also appears in Deuteronomy 1:38; Deuteronomy 12:10; Joshua 11:23; Joshua 14:13; Joshua 16:4; and Joshua 17:6.

Context Summary

Joshua 1:1-9 - The New Leader's Commission
Joshua was a prince of the tribe of Ephraim, and was born in Egypt. After the Exodus he became captain of the host, Exodus 17:9. With Caleb he brought back a good report of the land of Canaan, Numbers 14:7. Having been found faithful in the smaller sphere, he was promoted to the wider one. As we have seen, one of Moses' closing acts was to give him a charge. He represents the Lord Jesus, in His risen glory, as the Captain and Leader of the Church.
The land of Canaan was Israel's by deed of gift; but Israel had to go up to possess it. Similarly God's grace is ours, but we must claim it by putting the foot of our faith on God's promises. Though Hittites-our old evil habits-revolt, if we meet them in the power of the Holy Spirit, they must yield. God is with us. Joshua 1:5 is the perquisite of all believers. See Hebrews 13:5-6. But note that the weapon of successful conflict is God's Word. It is our sword, Ephesians 6:17. See also Jeremiah 15:16. [source]

Chapter Summary: Joshua 1

1  The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses
3  The borders of the promised land
5  God promises to assist Joshua
8  He gives him instructions
10  Joshua prepares the people to pass over Jordan
12  He puts the two tribes and a half in mind of their promise to Moses
16  They promise him allegiance

What do the individual words in Joshua 1:6 mean?

Be strong and of good courage for you shall divide as an inheritance to people this - the land which I swore to their fathers to give them
חֲזַ֖ק וֶאֱמָ֑ץ כִּ֣י אַתָּ֗ה תַּנְחִיל֙ אֶת־ הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה אֶת־ הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־ נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי לַאֲבוֹתָ֖ם לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם

חֲזַ֖ק  Be  strong 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: חָזַק  
Sense: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore.
וֶאֱמָ֑ץ  and  of  good  courage 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: אָמֵץ  
Sense: to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard.
תַּנְחִיל֙  shall  divide  as  an  inheritance 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: נָחַל  
Sense: to get as a possession, acquire, inherit, possess.
הָעָ֣ם  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הַזֶּ֔ה  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָאָ֕רֶץ  the  land 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי  I  swore 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׁבַע  
Sense: to swear, adjure.
לַאֲבוֹתָ֖ם  to  their  fathers 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
לָתֵ֥ת  to  give 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.