All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life, through the Great Mediator” CFMCorner Feb 5, 2024 12 min read Updated: Feb 6, 2024 CFM: February 5–11 2 Nephi 1 – 2 Videos, Podcasts, & Weekly Lesson Material Media ​Lesson Extension ​Additional Materials Scripture Central 2 Nephi 1–2 Insights Insights (Revisited) 2 Nephi 1-2 Scripture Insights Study Guide Follow Him 2 Nephi 1–2 2 Nephi 1-2 Part 1 with Dr. Lili De Hoyos Anderson 2 Nephi 1-2 Part 2 Transcripts Line Upon Line 2 Nephi 1–2 AGENTS OF AGENCY Teaching with Power 2 Nephi 1–2 ​ Teaching Bundle for Book of Mormon, available on Etsy. Don't Miss This 2 Nephi 1–2 ​ Book of Mormon Matters with John W Welch and Lynne Hilton Wilson 2 Nephi 1–2 John W. Welch Notes ​Unshaken 2 Nephi 1–2 (part 1): Arise from the Dust (part 2): Calming Our Anxiety ​ ​The Interpreter Foundation 2 Nephi 1–2 ​Commentary by John Claybaugh ​Teaching Helps with John Hilton 2 Nephi 1–2 The Book of Mormon, A Master Class ​ ​Scripture Gems 2 Nephi 1–2 Scripture Gems E06 ​ ​Ponderfun 2 Nephi 1–2 ( not yet posted ) ​Talking Scripture 2 Nephi 1–2 Ep 252 | 2 Nephi 1-2 Show Notes Book of Mormon Minute, Brant A. Gardner Vol. 1 2 Nephi 1 2 Nephi 2 Saving Talents: Devotionals & FHE for Children 2 Nephi 1–2 Scripture Explorers 2 Nephi 1-2 Latter Day Kids Opposition in All Things - Animated Scripture Lesson for Kids ​Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class , Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 1-5 Lehi's Farewell Address Video Notes Slides Lesson Download arbm06_presentation .pdf Download PDF • 2.11MB Resources and Insights for this Week's Lesson The Book of Mormon and the Old Testament: A Cultural and Religious Dialogue Covenant Land & Language The Hebrew language is rich and layered and can offer deep insights into scriptural texts and their interpretations, even in the Book of Mormon. The words below are Hebrew words associated with the Covenant Language used by Lehi and Nephi. One can delve into these words and their usage to better understand the nature of covenantal relationships such as those observed between God and prophets like Lehi and Abraham even if they don't read or speak Hebrew. As one explores the meanings of these words and their usages in scripture, one can develop a better understand for these principles and how they can relate to us personally, in modern day and application. Below a brief description of a few notable words are provided. Below that, numerical links referred to as Strong's cataloging numbers are sourced that will take the reader to an online concordance, where one can view all of the locations where these words are used in the Old Testament. This information helps to provide valuable context that can help one to better understand how Lehi and Nephi conceptualized these principles and how they intended them to be conveyed. (Eretz) אֶרֶץ and (Adamah) אֲדָמָה: These words are often translated as “earth” or “land.” “Eretz” often connotes a specific land or country (e.g., Eretz Israel - the Land of Israel) and can imply a sense of belonging or possession. “Adamah” is more generally “ground” or “earth.” Lehi’s promised land (אֶרֶץ) holds similarities to Abraham’s covenant, where the land (אֶרֶץ) is a crucial component of God's promise, symbolizing a place of inheritance (ירושה), prosperity, and divine blessing. (Bachar) בָּחַר: This means “to choose,” implying a deliberate and preferential selection. Both Lehi's and Abraham's families are chosen (בָּחַר) by God for a special purpose and destiny, primarily because they chose to follow Him. This idea highlights the nature of God’s chosen people, who are destined to inherit specific blessings because of how they choose to exercise their agency. (Amar) אָמַר, (Emer) אֵמֶר, (Davar) דָּבַר: These words are related to speaking or commanding. Examples of God's words (דָּבַר) and promises are foundational in the covenants that he made with Abraham and Lehi. His declarations establish the terms of the covenant and the promises attached to them. (Karat) כָּרַת, (Chalal) חָלַל, and (Berit) בְּרִית: “Karat” means to cut or make a covenant, and the word often involves a sacrifice or symbol that is associated with a solemn agreement. “Chalal” can mean to begin or to pollute, but in the context of covenants, it often refers to the sanctity and solemnity of an agreement. The term covenant (Berit) בְּרִית is related to כָּרַת these words were used with Abraham and others to indicate that the promises one makes with God are solemn and binding, and they involve ongoing commitments from both parties. (Chelek) חֵלֶק, (Yerushah) יְרֻשָּׁה, and (Nachal) נָחַל: These words are related to inheritance and possession. “Chelek” means portion or part, often a share in something larger. “Yerushah” is an inheritance or legacy, something passed down through generations. “Nachal” can mean to inherit or possess and is also related to streams or brooks, symbolizing ongoing sustenance and life. The promised lands for both Lehi and Abraham are their inheritance (נַחֲלָה), a physical space where their posterity can flourish under God’s promises. As one learns more about the culture and linguistic traditions of the prophets and people we learn about in scripture, one can learn to better appreciate the messages and witnesses they left behind. As one examines these words, one can explore the depth of the covenantal relationship as it was understood and intended to be understood by the writers. For example, The promised land (אֶרֶץ) is not just a physical space but a divinely chosen (בָּחַר) place where God's words (דָּבַר) and promises can be manifest. The covenant (כָּרַת) is a solemn agreement with spiritual and temporal blessings, tied to obedience and faithfulness. The inheritance (נָחַל, יְרֻשָּׁה) of the land signifies not just property but a legacy of faith, a place where the chosen people (חֵלֶק) can fulfill their divine destiny. In 2 Nephi 1 and 2, these concepts resonate deeply. Lehi speaks of a promised land, a new “Eretz,” divinely appointed for his posterity. The land is an inheritance, a new “Yerushah, (shares the same root as Jerusalem “inheritance” of shalem שָׁלַם “peace”) where, if they keep the commandments, they will prosper and be at peace. Understanding these Hebrew terms can enrich one comprehension of the weight, nature, and depth of covenantal promises in both the Book of Mormon and the Bible. H776 אֶרֶץ 'ereṣ land , earth, country, ground, world, way, common, field, nations, wilderness H127 אֲדָמָה 'ăḏāmâ land (s), earth, ground, country, husbandman, husbandry H977 בָּחַר bāḥar choose, chosen, choice , choose…out, acceptable, appoint, excellent, chosen men, rather, require, not translated H1249 בַּר bar clean, pure, choice , clear H1305 בָּרַר bārar pure, choice , chosen, clean, clearly, manifest, bright, purge out, polished, purge, purified H4004 מִבְחוֹר miḇḥôr choice H4005 מִבְחָר miḇḥār choice , chosen, choice st H8321 שׂרֵק śrēq choice vine, noble vine H559 אָמַר 'āmar said, speak, answer, command, tell, call, promise d, misc. H562 אֵמֶר 'ēmer word, speech, thing, promise H1696 דָּבַר dāḇar speak, say, talk, promise , tell, commune, pronounce, utter, command misc H8569 תְּנוּאָה tᵊnû'â occasion, breach of promise H3772 כָּרַת kāraṯ cut off, make, cut down, cut, fail, destroy, want, covenanted , hew, misc H1285 בְּרִית bᵊrîṯ covenant , league, confederacy, confederate, confederate ​ H2490 חָלַל ḥālal begin, profane, pollute, defile, break, wounded, eat, slay, first, gather grapes, inheritance , began men, piped, players, prostitute, sorrow, stain, eat as common things H2506 חֵלֶק ḥēleq portion, part, flattering, flattery, inheritance , partaker H3425 יְרֻשָּׁה yᵊruššâ possession, heritage, inheritance H4181 מוֹרָשָׁה môrāšâ possession, inheritance , heritage H5157 נָחַל nāḥal inherit, inheritance , possess, have, divide, heritage, possession, strong's synonym H5159 נַחֲלָה naḥălâ inheritance , heritage, inherit, possession Overview 2 Nephi 1: Lehi, nearing the end of his life, bestows blessings upon his sons and exhorts them to righteousness. He speaks about the promised land and the conditions upon which they shall prosper in it. References and Cultural Contexts for Investigation, Contemplation, and Discussion: The Promised Land in Religious Texts : Explore the concept of a promised land across different scriptures and its symbolic meanings. Where is the Land of Promise? Where Did the Book of Mormon Happen? Why Did Some in Lehi’s Time Believe that Jerusalem Could Not Be Destroyed? Why didn’t Jews in Old Testament times believe Jerusalem could be destroyed? How Could Jerusalem, ‘That Great City,’ Be Destroyed Parent-Child Dynamics in Scriptural Narratives, Arms of Love : Discuss the complexities and lessons from the parent-child interactions in the scriptures. “Arise from the Dust”: Insights from Dust-Related Themes in the Book of Mormon (Part 1: Tracks from the Book of Moses) “Encircled About Eternally in the Arms of His Love”: The Divine Embrace as a Thematic Symbol of Jesus Christ and His Atonement in the Book of Mormon Zoram Meeting Zoram For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices Blessings and Curses in Covenantal Contexts : Analyze the conditional promises associated with obedience to God's commandments in the scriptures. The Promised Land and Its Covenant Peoples Lehi and the Covenant of the Promised Land: A Modern Appraisal The Ways of Remembrance Sojourn, Dwell, and Stay: Terms of Servitude “If Ye Will Hearken”: Lehi’s Rhetorical Wordplay on Ishmael in 2 Nephi 1:28–29 and Its Implications The Book of Mormon: Man-Made of God-Given? Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life, through the Great Mediator Summary of Key Themes: The significance of the promised land, the conditions of prosperity in it, the importance of obedience to God's commandments, and t