Alma 1:6-10
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
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[edit] Questions
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[edit] Lexical notes
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[edit] Exegesis
[edit] Verse 9: Feisty Gideon
It is no surprise to see the Gideon from the Land of Nephi, the man who chased King Noah to the top of his tower (Mosiah 19:4-8), standing boldly against Nehor even as an old man. Verse 9 implies that Gideon drew his weapon and battled Nehor. This is implied in the statement that Gideon's age made him unable to withstand Nehor's blows. Age would be a factor only if Gideon was battling with his own weapon. No person of any age could withstand an attack with a sword if unarmed and unresisting. Thus, this language suggests that Gideon did draw and was fighting. To see the importance of this fact, go to the exegesis below of verses 11 - 15 on Alma's political error and the assessment of Alma as a politician in the exegesis at the end of this chapter.
[edit] Verse 10: Land of Gideon
While it is not explcitly stated here, this episode probably occured in the Land of Gideon, a land named after Gideon who is now slain. This is the land in which the Zeniffites (followers of Limhi and Alma the Elder) settled after their escape from the Land of Nephi. Gideon played a major role in that escape (Mosiah 22:3 - 8), just one of the reasons why he was viewed as a hero and especially revered by the now resettled Zeniffites. Having once been apostate and having learned from their past mistakes, the people of the Land of Gideon have become especially faithful and resistant to apostacy. As these people here resist Nehor's seductive doctrine, they will later again resist the false doctrines of Korihor (Alma 30:21-22). Just as these people here forceably carry Nehor before Alma, so they will forceably carry Korihor to Alma for judgment (Alma 30:29). When Alma begins his great preaching mission to the Nephites, it is the people in the land of Gideon who most warmly receive him. His sermon in the land of Gideon basically congratulates the people on their righteousness and faithfulness, a message very different from the one he delivers in the lands of Zarahemla and Ammonihah.
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