Relating to Genesis 2, which mist serves the function from allowing [Web page 281] flowers to enhance, just as the creation of Adam provides the event out of providing with the tilling of ground (Genesis 2:4–7). The latest Hebrew keyword translated due to the fact “mist,” ed, happen only here and also in Job . In both metropolitan areas, it’s for the watering the ground.
As the properties try obviously more, the latest mist for the Genesis dos:six can get correspond into certain level towards “mist from dark” inside Lehi’s fantasy. Aforementioned isn’t on the watering of your ground but instead that have an obscuring off eyes you to definitely causes the newest sinful to be destroyed. It mist seems to be associated with dirty lake. Note, such, your lake therefore the mist is actually mentioned top-by-front inside the step one Nephi –17. Brand new Hebrew word ed “mist” provides an excellent homophone which means “worry, calamity,” tend to found in mention of routes of one’s sinful otherwise to their future, twenty eight and is also possible that the resemblance anywhere between those two terminology encouraged an effective sinister knowledge of the fresh new biblical mist on framework from Lehi’s fantasy.
It could be indexed that there’s certain textual adaptation between mist and you will mists during the records into the mist away from dark inside the publication of Mormon. With its basic including (1 Nephi 8:23) along with every subsequent circumstances the spot where the term try indefinite, the phrase is actually only one: “a(n exceeding higher) mist of dark” (1 Nephi 8:23; 12:4). But when the phrase try preceded because of the definite blog post the new, it usually is plural about basic text message: “the brand new mists away from dark” (step one Nephi 8:24; ; step three Nephi 8:22). 29 Usually the one instance of the definition of ed inside the Genesis 2 try only one and you can long, and that will abide by the aid of on the Publication out-of Mormon. Therefore this new variation in the Guide away from Mormon cases of “mist(s) from darkness” cannot always compose a matter of change from the biblical mist.
New Rod and the Term
Perhaps one of the most salient parts of Lehi’s dream ‘s the rod of iron, and that, centered on step 1 Nephi 8:19, “stretched along side lender of the lake and you may contributed to the fresh tree” wherein Lehi stood. Descriptions from how the members of Lehi’s fantasy utilized the pole so you can approach the newest tree are observed during the step one Nephi 8:twenty-four, 30:
Plus it came to admission which i beheld other people clicking forward, and so they arrived forward and you may stuck hold of the end of the latest pole from iron; and so they performed press pass from the mist out of darkness, [Web page 282] hanging on rod regarding metal, actually until they performed started onward and you can take part of your fruit of forest. (step one Nephi 8:24)
But, is quick written down, view, he saw other multitudes pressing send; and so they emerged and you will trapped your hands on the end of the pole away from iron; plus they did press their method give, continuously carrying quick on pole out-of metal, up to they arrived onward and you will fell down and you can partook of the fruit of the tree. (1 Nephi 8:30)
Zachary Nelson observes you to definitely railings are “hardly ever present in old tissues,” and he argues that the pole out of metal [Webpage 283] inside the Lehi’s dream are a variety of group or walking stick
Most advanced visual renderings off Lehi’s dream depict the pole from metal because the a great railing together with the roadway causing this new tree. 29 Yet it is curious that individuals in verses try described as getting hold of the end of the fresh pole (in place of some point collectively its size), and they are described as “clinging” or “continually holding prompt” on pole (in place of swinging with each other they pay hands).
Matthew Bowen enjoys noticed that the fresh new rod away from metal during the Lehi’s dream, and therefore is short for the word out of Goodness, according to step one Nephi and you can –24, keeps an interesting parallel on the Egyptian phrase mdw, which means that each other “professionals, rod” and “address, word”; Bowen contends one to Nephi’s listing, that has been printed in “the language of Egyptians” (1 Nephi step 1:2), includes a great wordplay towards the a couple senses associated with phrase. 31 Nephi’s christian connection ne iÅŸe yarar comprehension of the significance of the latest rod may even have been informed by their expertise in it word’s a couple meanings. John Tvedtnes has revealed, once again concerning the this new rod since word-of Jesus during the Lehi’s dream, one to shepherd’s rods and you will regal scepters have been symbolically connected with the new word-of Goodness on the cultural domaine of one’s ancient Close Eastern. thirty-two If for example the research cited of the Bowen and you may Tvedtnes is acceptable, but not, upcoming this would imply that new pole from metal was a baton or employees rather than new usually-depicted railing. “Regardless of if railings was basically unusual in Lehi’s world,” produces Nelson, “rods or staffs were not.” 33