From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
Note: this page allows you to see all the commentary pages for Second Nephi chapter 8 together. Click on the heading to go to a specific page.
2 Ne 8:1-5
|
The Book of Mormon > Second Nephi > Chapter 8
Questions
- vv. 1-25: How would this speech, a speech of consolation to Israel, be an appropriate thing for Jacob to repeat to the Nephites?
- v. 1: What does it mean that the righteous should look to the pit (or quarry) from which they were cut?
- vv. 2-3: Does this verse explain the pit and the hole of v. 1? How? How would one “look unto Abraham [. . .] and unto Sarah"? What is the Lord commanding here? Isaiah mentions that Abraham was called “alone,” in other words, when he was the only one in Israel, and that he was blessed. Presumably the blessing referred to is that of numerous posterity. How is it relevant that he was alone? In v. 3 the comparison is to v. 2: just as Abraham and Sarah were blessed when she was barren and supposedly beyond hope, so will Israel be blessed and made fruitful. Why the reference to Eden? What does it mean that the new Eden will be filled with gladness, thanksgiving, and song? What is the comparison?
- vv. 4-6: These verses may help us understand 2 Ne 7:10-11 better: The Lord will give light to the earth by giving divine guidance, instruction, and salvation rather than that offered by the world. How do we distinguish between the two sources of light?
Lexical notes
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes
Exegesis
Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis
Related links
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links
|
2 Ne 8:6-10
|
The Book of Mormon > Second Nephi > Chapter 8
Questions
- Verse 7: In Isaiah the word “law” could also be translated “instruction.” Presumably the same is true of whatever Nephite word Jacob used in quoting Isaiah. What does that say about the law? What does it teach? What does it mean to say that the righteous have the law/instruction written in their hearts? Why do those who are righteous need not fear the reproach of others?
- Verse 6: Here it says that the Heavens shall vanish away and the Earth shall wax old like a garment in the last days. Why is this so? When we are resurrected, are we judged on Earth or in Heaven and if in Heaven, what is going to be the state of the Earth at that time?
- Verses 9-11: Who is calling “Awake” (v. 9)? Who is being addressed? Do vv. 10-11 explain the references in v. 9? Notice how scripture refers to the type of Israel leaving Egypt, entering into the Promised Land. How is that type relevant to Lehi’s family? To the Nephites in particular? To us?
- Verse 9: The verse asks "Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?" Who is Rahab and what is the "dragon" he refers to?
Lexical notes
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes
Exegesis
Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis
Related links
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links
|
2 Ne 8:11-15
|
The Book of Mormon > Second Nephi > Chapter 8
Questions
- vv. 12-16: If vv. 9-11 are Israel’s prayer for deliverance, these verses are the answer to the prayer. How are that prayer and this answer relevant to the Nephites? To us?
- v. 12: The word translated “comfort” in Isaiah (v. 12) originally meant “strengthen” as well as “soothe.” Does that change your understanding of the verse?
- v.13: Why is it important in this context to remind Israel that the Lord is the Creator? (Verse 13 describes the man at the end of verse 12 “who shall die” and “who shall be made like unto grass.”)
- v. 14: What is the contrast between the pit mentioned in v. 14 and that of v. 1?
- v. 15: Here we see that the Lord has power over all nature. How does this compare to the power feared by those who have forgotten him?
Lexical notes
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes
Exegesis
Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis
Related links
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links
|
2 Ne 8:16-20
|
The Book of Mormon > Second Nephi > Chapter 8
Questions
- v. 16: In whose mouth have the words of this verse been put? Israel’s? Isaiah’s? What does it mean to be covered in the shadow of God’s hand?
- vv. 17-25: These verses describe the end of Israel’s captivity and their re-entry into the Promised Land. What historical event or events might this describe? The original return from Babylon? The gathering at the Second Coming? The entry of the latter-day church into the Salt Lake valley? Some incident in Nephite history?
- v. 17: What does the cup of the Lord’s fury or anger stand for?
- v. 18: What does it mean to say that Israel has no sons to guide her?
- v. 19: The only two sons remaining are desolation and destruction--what does that mean?
- v. 20: Does “rebuke” help us understand the meaning of “fury” in the previous clause?
Lexical notes
- v. 20 The “head” of the streets means the street corners.
Exegesis
Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis
Related links
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links
|
2 Ne 8:21-25
|
The Book of Mormon > Second Nephi > Chapter 8
Questions
- vv. 21-23: Here we see that the oppressors will become the oppressed. Who are the oppressors? Who will oppress them? How?
- vv. 21-23: If those the Lord is addressing are drunk with something other than wine (v. 21), what is it? (See v. 22 for some hints.)
- v. 24: Notice that the first part of this verse is a repetition of the first part of v. 9. Who was speaking there? Who is speaking here? The prophet? The Lord? Israel?
- v. 24: Who are the uncircumcised and unclean?
- v. 25: What dust is Israel to shake off of itself? Does referring back to v. 23 give you any ideas? What would shaking the dust off be a symbol of? Does this reference help us understand references such as D&C 24:15; 60:15; and 75:20 (as well as Matt 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; Acts 13:51)?
- Has Jacob used the chapters from Isaiah the way we might expect him to use them? We take them to be prophecies of Christ’s coming. How does he use them?
Lexical notes
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes
Exegesis
Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis
Related links
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links
|
