Hakeem Jeffries Raises Eyebrows By Sharing Bible Verse Encouraging Israelites After Their Leader’s Death

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) raised eyebrows on when he shared the text of a Bible verse, Joshua 1:9, on Sunday.

“Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go,” wrote Jeffries.

While at first glance, this might be interpreted as an encouraging message geared toward embattled President Joe Biden , its context suggests that it may have an entirely different — and indeed opposite — meaning.

The command against despair was issued to the Israelites following the death of their leader, Moses, who helped them escape captivity in Egypt.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.'” reads verses one through three of the same chapter.

“‘No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you,'” continued the passage before reaching the verse touted by Jeffries, which reads in full: “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.'”

On X, the context of the quote was not lost.

“Fwiw the context here is god speaking to Joshua when he became leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses,” observed The Daily Beast’s Roger Sollenberger .

“Dark,” commented Stephen L. Miller , a contributing editor at The Spectator .

The Daily Caller’s Elias Atienza bluntly provided the context by writing, “‘My servant Moses is dead.'” -Joshua 1:2.”

And The Nation ‘s Jeet Heer simply declared that “Biblical scholarship is very handy!”

Jeffries has reportedly had a number of prominent members of his caucus express their hope that Biden would drop out of the presidential race, but has not himself indicated his preference on the matter.