I just found something interesting, would like to know if other languages of the Bible translation also has this: In Joshua 1:7 the two actions words is: "Be Strong" and "Very Courageous" where Joshua 1:9 has it as "be strong" and "good courage" In the Afrikaans 1953 translation the emphasis is changed (i am placing the English words in brackets) v.7: "wees baie sterk" (be very strong) en "vol moed" (courageous) v.9: "wees sterk" (be strong) en "vol moed" (courageous) In Afrikaans the emphasis is places on "strong" were as in the English it is placed on "courageous" I would love to know why it was translated this way, hopefully I do get an answer on this.

  1. I am no expert on Hebrew or Bible translation, but the following is what I see looking at the interlinears for the NASB and KJV. Verses 6, 7 and 9 each use the same Hebrew words for strong and courageous. Strong: 2388 חָזַק [chazaq /khaw·zak/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 636; GK 2616; 290 occurrences; AV translates as “strong” 48 times, “repair” 47 times, “hold” 37 times, “strengthened” 28 times, “strengthen” 14 times, “harden” 13 times, “prevail” 10 times, “encourage” nine times, “take” nine times, “courage” eight times, “caught” five times, “stronger” five times, “hold” five times, and translated miscellaneously 52 times. Couragous: 553 אָמֵץ [ʾamats /aw·mats/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 117; GK 599; 41 occurrences; AV translates as “strengthen” 12 times, “courage” nine times, “strong” five times, “courageous” twice, “harden” twice, “speed” twice, “stronger” twice, “confirm” once, “established” once, “fortify” once, “increaseth” once, “steadfastly minded” once, “obstinate” once, and “prevailed” once. The only difference I see is the addition of the adverb “very” in verse 7.  This is the following Hebrew word: 3966 מְאֹד [mâʿod /meh·ode/] adv n m. From the same as 181; TWOT 1134; GK 4394; 299 occurrences; AV translates as “very” 137 times, “greatly” 49 times, “sore” 23 times, “exceeding” 18 times, “great” 12 times, “exceedingly” 11 times, “much” 10 times, “exceeding + 3966” six times, “exceedingly + 3966” five times, “diligently” four times, “good” three times, “might” twice, “mightily” twice, and translated miscellaneously 17 times.

  2. That is what i had a look at, the emphasis of the word "very", where it is placed in the two translations (Afrikaans 1933 & NKJV), is what i found interesting.