Charge Joshua: “Give Joshua instructions [or, orders].”

Encourage and strengthen: there are usually idiomatic phrases in a given language, sometimes including bodily features, that serve as vivid equivalents of the text; for example, “cause him to have a brave heart, and give strength to his heart.”

He shall go over at the head of this people: “he will lead the Israelites across the river.”

He shall put them in possession: by means of his leadership, Joshua will enable the Israelites to conquer and occupy the land.

Which you shall see: that is, from the top of Mount Pisgah (34.1-3).

In some languages it will be helpful to restructure this verse as follows:

• It is Joshua who is going to lead the people of Israel across the Jordan river to occupy the land that you see before you. So help him be strong and brave, and tell him what he must do.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .