Book of Mormon 121 Day 4
Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which would give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who is not. (ET Benson Oct. 86 Gen Conf.)
1. Outside reading- Verse by Verse-The Book of Mormon, Volume 1, D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner. An excellent commentary by two of my favorite BYU professors. They give excellent commentary on the geography and language. They also do a much more detailed commentary on the writings of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon than "Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon" by McConkie and Millet.
2. Gary's Green Verses
Date | Reference | Fav. Verse | Message |
Feb. 2 | 2 Nephi 11 | 3 | The Law of Witnesses. Linking our testimonies |
Feb. 3 | 2 Nephi 12 | 1-2 | Do I learn each time I attend the temple? |
Feb. 4 | 2 Nephi 13 | 10 | What fruit do I eat because of my doings? |
Feb. 5 | 2 Nephi 14 | 2 | How does the Savior & the fruits of the gospel look to me? |
Feb. 6 | 2 Nephi 15 | 20 | Examples? Stands of the Church & our families |
Feb. 7 | 2 Nephi 16 | 8 | Can I hear myself saying, "Here I am; send me"? |
Feb. 8 | 2 Nephi 17 | 14 | Preparations were made for the birth of the Savior centuries before his birth. What preparations were made for my birth before I was born? |
Feb. 9 | 2 Nephi 18 | 10 | Any God included group will win over any non God included group |
2. The Testimony of the 3 and 8 Witnesses - See D&C 17; Ether 5:2-4; 2 Nephi 11:3; 27:12-13. The testimonies of the witnesses were included at the end of early editions, but at the beginning of the later editions.
The 3 witnesses viewed the plates not far from the Peter Whitmer home in Fayette.
The 8 witnesses viewed the plates not far from the Joseph Smith Sr. home in Palmyra. (25 miles north of Fayette)
3. Isaiah -"Isaiah is the most frequently quoted prophet in the New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the D&C. The Book of Mormon contains the oldest copy of Isaiah extant. It is the best text of Isaiah and the best commentary. It is host to over 30 pages of Isaiah's writings, about 1/3 of the book. Passages from 24 of the 66 chapters, (19 complete). of 425 verses from Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, 196 are identical but 229 are quoted differently. Of the 425, 391 teach something about the attributes or mission of Jesus.
WHY? -
1. Jesus said to. (32 Nephi 23:1-2)
2. Bruce R. McConkie said, “ Nephi said: `my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah . . . (2 Nephi 25:5) Personally, I feel about Isaiah and his utterances the same way Nephi felt and think that if I expect to go where Nephi and Isaiah have gone, I had better speak their language, think their thoughts, know what they knew, believe and teach what they believed and taught, and live as they lived. It just may be that my salvation (and your also!) Does in fact depend upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them.” (10 Keys to understanding Isaiah)
3. He spoke of the Savior 4. He spoke of our day
HOW?
1. Hard work - Reveal and Conceal
2. Spirit of Prophecy (2 Nephi 25:4; 1 Nephi 10:19; Alma 12:9-10; Alma 26:22)
3. Manner of prophesying among the Jews (2 Nephi 25:1, 5) A. Law of Moses B. Poetic Language (poetry is saying one thing and meaning another) Over 90% of Isaiah is poetic. C. Dualism D. Esoteric Words (Confidential or of limited understanding) E. Hebrew F. King James English
4. Familiar with Geography and History of Isaiah’s time. ("Whoever wants to understand a poet, must go to the poet's homeland" Goethe)
5. Understand God’s plan, consistency and dealings with the House of Israel.
6. Live in our day (2 Nephi 25:7-8) 2 Nephi 27 written 2500 years before Martin Harris. Use other scriptures (D&C, BOM, New Testament, footnotes and chapter headings)
7. Liken them to us (1 Nephi 19:23)
8. Line upon Line
First Nephi 20 (Isaiah 48)
Nephi begins his extensive quotations from Isaiah, not from the beginning of the words of Isaiah but from near the end, because the message of hope and redemption in Christ in Is. 48 & 49 fit the message he was continuing in 1 Nephi 19. (Read Ch. Heading for 1 Nephi 19 and also vs. 19 &20) He uses Isaiah to substantiate what he has been teaching that; 1. Believe in Christ. (They had disregarded Nephi’s testimony so he adds Isaiah’s. 2. Israel has been, is being and will be scattered and we are a part of that scattering. 3. Because God knew that we were going to be scattered, he also provides hope for us to be gathered again.
Before reading 1 Nephi 20, read the last verse of Chapter 19.
20:1- To covenant people who are not true to the covenant. Out of the waters of baptism is not in the OT.
20:2 - They like the status of being a chosen people, but they fail to see the obligation side of being a covenant people.
20:3 - The Lord sites his past performance in predicting
20:4 -It has not been hard to make predictions concerning Israel because they are obstinate, slow to turn from the direction they had in mind and hard headed. Neck is an iron sinew. Those who will not bow before the Lord (Dt. 9:6; 31:27) Brow Brass, Members who will not give their mind or thoughts to the Lord (Ezek. 3:7-9)
20:5 - Israel has been shown the prophecies way in advance by God so they can’t give credit to false gods they are prone to worship.
20:6 - Fess up, I have been right in my predictions of your wickedness. The Lord has and does know and reveal the future. The new things may refer, among other things, to the prophecy concerning Israel’s deliverance through Cyrus (Is. 42:9; 43:9). Hidden things refers to the mysteries of God as revealed in temples or in other God ordained ways.
20:7 - I have been telling and you have not been listening, but I have spoken them anyway so that you would know that I knew.
20:8 - Israel has been a sinful nation since Sinai (the womb). Thou wouldst deal very treacherously is a reference to betrayers.
The preceding verses were a reminder to Israel of her traditional wicked ways. It applied very well to Laman and Lemuel and to many of us today.
20:9-11 - The Lord has not given up on Israel. He will use their afflictions to refine them. His love for them guarantees their standing. He is so patient.
20:10 – In the process of refining metals, intense heat is used to burn off the grosser elements and impurities. Israel’s initial furnace was their servitude in Egypt. All saints need this refining process. Christ is the refiner (Mal. 3:2-3; Zech. 13:9). Chosen for eternal life.
20:11 – The Lord knows us. We will receive the promised blessings. They will not be given to someone else.
20:12,13 – Israel’s call goes from before the earth was formed (first) and will go on for the duration of the earth’s existence (last) Jesus is also the first and the last. He has always been there for us and always will be. We needn’t worry about His being there for us. (See Exodus 4:22 where the Lord refers to Israel as his first born.) The right hand is the hand of authority. It is the covenant hand.
20:14-21 - “Isaiah next turns to God’s panoramic and prophetic perspective of Israel’s destiny. He reveals, through prophecies that carry double meanings, the many redemptive events that will occur in Israel’s future, as well as the several redeemers who will be raised up to help bring about God’s desires and purposes for his chosen people.” (Skinner, p. 102, Isaiah In The BOM).
20:14 – who among them hath declared these things. This may refer to Isaiah, Jesus, another prophet or more likely to all who preach the gospel. The Lord hath loved him=Sperry and Skinner say it was Cyrus. Nyman says Israel. Victor Ludlow says it is Christ. I think it is Cyrus as a type of Christ. Babylon is a symbol for all of the wicked nations and people of the world.\
20:15 - Christ shall make Cyrus’ way prosperous. Also refers to the messenger of declaring these things. The message seems to be that God has a plan and he will prosper all those He needs to see that the plan is carried out. (See 1 Nephi 9:6)
20:16 - God sent this composite deliverer.
20:17 – Christ is the master teacher. See Isaiah 2:3
20:18 - Israel has not taken the easy way. The peace spoken of would be as an ever-flowing river. Our righteousness as constant as the waves in the ocean.
20:19 - Things could have better. God blesses us through our posterity both in this life and also with eternal offspring.
20:20 - Israel’s deliverance from Babylon. Also the deliverance of anyone from the Babylon’s of our own life.
20:21 - God helped in Moses’ time and he will help again spiritually and physically.
20:22 – The blessings mentioned in this chapter are conditional upon our righteousness. This chapter should have greatly influenced Laman & Lemuel and their group. It should have great relevance to us also.
I Nephi 21 (Isaiah 49)
Remember from 1 Nephi 19:23-24 that Nephi is going to quote Isaiah because of Isaiah’s ability to do three things 1)Testify of Christ 2) Address their personal circumstances and 3) provide hope for their future. Nephi is teaching his people that they are part of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy of the scattering of Israel.
In chapter 20:1-8 he reminds Israel (and Laman & Lemuel and us) of their wickedness. In the rest of that chapter he tells of their captivity and of his deliverance of them because of his love for them.
As we go to chapter 21 Isaiah moves to the latter days. President Wilford Woodruff says this: “The revelations that are in the Bible, the predictions of the patriarchs and prophets who saw by vision and revelation the last dispensation and fulness of times plainly tell us what is to come to pass. The 49th chapter of Isaiah is having fulfillment.”
Compare verse one of Isaiah with verse one of 1 Nephi 21
Both announce the scattering. The Nephite text identifies religious leaders as a cause of the scattering. Chapter 49, starting in the 2nd half of verse 1, identifies a servant of the Lord who is to deliver the latter-day scattered Israel. Many refer to him as the “suffering servant.” The Jews say that it is a depiction of their nation as a whole, others say it refers to Isaiah himself, but those verses when best applied refer dualistically to two individuals. Let’s look at how Isaiah describes him.
1. He has been called from the womb. Foreordained. (vs. 1; 2 Nephi 3:7-9, 14-15).
2. His mouth was like a sharp sword. He speaks with authority (vs. 2; D&C 18:35-36, 21:5).
3. He was hidden in the shadow of the Lord’s hand. Calling and election (vs. 2; LDCBM p. 66-67).
4. He was made a polished shaft. Refined (vs. 2; TPJS p. 304).
5. He was hidden in the quiver of the Lord. (vs. 2; D&C 86:9).
6. He would say that he had labored in vain. (vs. 4; D&C 121:2).
7. He would speak in the name of the Lord. (vs. 5; D&C 52:1).
8. He would know that he was foreordained. (vs. 5; D&C 127:2, TPJS p. 365).
9. His life’s work would be to gather Israel, even when Israel did not want to be gathered. (vs. 5; Mormon 8:16).
10. He would be the Lord’s servant to gather Israel. (vs. 6; D&C 110:11,16)
11. He would be a light unto the Gentiles. (vs. 6; D&C 86:11).
12. He would be hated, but also have the gospel be taught to government leaders. (vs. 7; JSH 1:33; D&C 1:23).
13. He will be given to Israel for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages. (vs. 8; D&C 1:17-22; 93:51)
14. He will set free the prisoners and shepherd the chosen people. (vs. 9).
Vs. 10-13 - The Mountains of the Lord- the Lord proclaims that he will use the servant mentioned before and will shield and protect and uses the symbolic terms of not hungering or thirsting, mountains, highways for the gathering
Vs. 14 - A discourage prophet asks if Israel has been forsaken
Go to vs. 15 - Can God forget us?
Vs. 16. - graven upon the palms of my hands
vs. 18 -an allusion of a bride
vs. 19-21 - the gathering places will not seem large enough
vs. 22-23 - Explained in I Nephi 22
24-26 - God will preserve Israel
2 NEPHI 7 (Isaiah 50)
The account of a sermon that Jacob gave to the Nephites is recorded in 2 Nephi 6-10. At the beginning of this sermon Jacob quoted from Isaiah 49 concerning the Gentiles assistance in gathering of Israel (2 Nephi 6:6-7 from Isaiah 49:22-23). Jacob described the Babylonian captivity of Judah and the return to Jerusalem. He told of the coming of Jesus and his rejection and crucifixion. Because the Jews rejected Jesus they would be scattered but would be gathered again. Jacob then taught of the 2nd coming of the Savior/ (2 Nephi 6:8-18). In 2 Nephi 7 Jacob quoted all of Isaiah 50, which begins with the Lord’s clarification to Israel that he had not put them away, but that they had put themselves away through their transgressions.
Vs. 1 – Bill of Divorcement- see Dt. 24:1-2; Jer. 3:8; D&C 133:63-64. Rhetorical questioning
Vs. 2 – a reference to the Savior’s first coming.
The Lord’s hand is neither lengthened or shortened.
Vs. 2-3 – See D&C 133:71 and D&C 1:14
Vs. 4-9 – “These verses are known among biblical scholars as a ‘servant song.’ This is a major poetic passage wherein a servant of the Lord is described, although not specifically identified. There are differences of opinion among commentaries regarding the identity of this Servant. While there may be dual meaning to these verses,…the song in Isaiah 50 refers primarily to the Messiah. He will be treated despicably, but the power of God will be manifest in Him. Those who oppose Him will be destroyed.” (Brewster, p. 209)
Vs. 4 – The tongue of the learned- a reference to the 12 year old Christ, the 14 year old Joseph and to 19 year old missionaries. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He gets up even when you are tired. With His inspiration we can be as wise as the learned.
Vs. 8 – When the Lord is near, I have nothing to fear.
Vs. 9 – There is permanence in following the Lord.
Vs. 10 – This verse is a question. The answer is nobody.
Vs. 11 – A verse of warning to those who make their own light rather than follow the Light of the World.
2ND NEPHI 8
Notice the calls to hearken or look or awake or shake yourself (1,2,4,6,7,9,17, 24,25)
Also the numerous references to salvation i.e. deliverance from the enemy and righteousness i.e. choosing a godly life (1,5,6,7)
Look for four major sections in this chapter;
1. (1-8) A reminder to Israel of her heritage and the Lord’s work
2. (9-16) A promise that the righteous will enjoy the blessings of Zion.
3. (17-23) A warning and a promise to the Jews in the last days
4. (24-25) A brief vision of Zion and Jerusalem restored to their full priesthood power.
At the end of these quotations, Jacob builds upon the words of Isaiah with his wonderful sermon on the Atonement (ch. 9) Toward the end of his sermon Jacob uses Isaiah 55:1-2 (2 Nephi 9:50-51) as his invitation for all to partake of the blessings of the salvation.
Vs. 1 – Jesus is called the “Rock” at least 34 times in scripture. Consider your origins as children of Christ as well as children of Abraham. Remember who you are and whose you are.
Vs. 2 – Just like Abraham and Sarah received blessings-which seemed to be beyond hope, so will we. For Abraham’s call and covenant see Genesis 12:1-5 and 17:1-22.
Vs. 3 – Refers to the millennial restoration. How does the Lord take a person who would be represented by a wilderness and make him a garden?
Vs. 4 – The Book of Mormon serves as a judgment in our day. See 2 Nephi 25:22 and D&C 20:13-15
The law mentioned in this verse may also refer to the law that will go forth from Jerusalem during the Millennium.
Vs. 5 – The arm of the Lord is often used as a symbol of his power. His arm of mercy and of justice is the same arm. Isles is generally a reference to scattered Israel.
Vs. 6 – notes changes in the earth when the Savior comes and reminds us to notice the signs when they come.
Vs. 7 – Cross-reference this verse with D&C 3:7. Other verses? See verse 12
Vs. 8 – The earth and things on it are temporary, but righteousness is forever.
Vs. 9– Rahab is an ancient Near Eastern name for a monster of chaos closely related to Leviathan (Is. 27:1). In the Old Testament the power of God is explained in the imagery of Jehovah conquering Rahab, or chaos, through creation (Job 26:12). The imagery of God’s power in conquering chaos through creation is also applied in the Old Testament to the Lord’s mastery over the sea and to the destruction of Rahab as a personification of the host of Pharaoh in the Exodus story (Ps. 89:9-10; Is. 51:9). Thus Rahab is a poetic synonym for Egypt. (Ps. 87:4). In a more general way, Rahab may be interpreted as a representation of Satan. In any case the point of the imagery is that the Lord has power over all of the elements and all of his enemies. (Largey, p. 355).
Vs. 10 – A little reminder that God made the sea and controls it.
Vs. 11 – See D&C 45:71; 66:11; 101:18. Holiness upon their heads appears to be a reference to those who have had hands laid upon their heads and received the blessings of the priesthood and the temple.
Vs. 12 – Grass dies out quickly
Vs. 17 – the dregs are the sediment in the bottom of the cup. The cup referred to is the cup of the Lord’s wrath. It will all be poured out.
Vs. 18 – Apostasy
Vs. 19-20 – See Revelation 11:3
Vs. 21 – Are they drunken with the contents of the cup of the Lord’s fury.
Vs. 25 – The bands of the bondage of apostasy are loosed when latter-day Israel accepts the restored gospel.
Note 2 Nephi 9:1-3
2 Nephi 12 (ISAIAH 2)
Vs. 1 - Judah and Jerusalem
Vs. 2 - Mountain of the Lord’s house established in the top of the mountains refers to; A. Salt Lake Temple-Wilford Woodruff at dedication, LeGrand Richards; B. Other temples in Rocky Mountains (BRM) C. Jackson County Temple D. Temple in Old Jerusalem (Zech. 6:12-15) E. Mountain in scriptures is a place God meets his servants. During the Millennium, this will be the whole earth.
“Let Israel gather to the stakes of Zion in all nations. Let every land be a Zion to those appointed to dwell there. Let the fullness of the gospel be for all the saints in all nations. Let temples arise wherein the fullness of the ordinances of the Lord’s house may be administered. But still there is a center place, a place to which the Lord shall come, a place whence the law shall go forth to govern all the earth in that day when the Second David reigns personally upon the earth. And that center place is what men now call Independence in Jackson County, Missouri, but which in a day to come will be the Zion of our God and the City of Holiness of his people. The site is selected; the place is known; the decree has gone forth; and the promised destiny is assured” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 595).
This temple will be a complex of 24 buildings, built before and during the millennium.
Vs. 3 - Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem
A. Jackson County and a rebuilt Jerusalem
B. George Albert Smith at the dedication of the Idaho Falls Temple in 1945. “We thank thee that thou has revealed to us that those who gave us our constitutional form of government were men wise in thy sight and that thou didst raise them up for the very purpose of putting forth that sacred document....We pray that kings and rulers and the peoples of all nations under heaven may be persuaded...to adopt similar governmental systems, thus to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Isaiah that...out of Zion shall go forth the law.” (IE, Oct. 1945, p. 564.)
C. Mark E. Petersen talked about General Conference talks as being a fulfillment of this prophecy. (Brewster p. 13)
Vs. 4 - the millennial government will be Christ as Judge and King and war implements will no longer be necessary
Vs. 5 - second half of verse is not in the Bible. Too clear of a prophecy on the apostasy
Vs. 6 - Replenished from the east. - Supplied with teachings from apostate religions like those in Assyria.
Soothsayers (persons who attempt or pretend to predict the future) like the Philistines- May have reference to 2 Kings 1, when the Israelite King Ahaziah sought help from Baal-zebub, the false god of the Philistine town of Ekron. Elijah intercepted the King’s messengers and told of the King’s death. Three captains of 50 were sent, two of who were killed at Elijah’s word. Finally Elijah went with the 3rd captain and talked to the King who died as Elijah had said.
Please themselves in the children of strangers. - Means to shake hands with or make a covenant with. Their business arrangements were more important to them than their covenants with God. May also refer to marriage outside of the covenant.
Vs. 7 - Israel
Vs. 8 - cars, houses, clothes etc.
Vs. 9 - mean man=common man - the first two nots are not in the OT- The sin of pride is identified by both Isaiah and Nephi as the common dominator in the fall, destruction and scattering of all the nations and peoples discussed in Isaiah’s prophecies.
As a prophet and representative of the Lord, Isaiah prays that the Lord will not pardon Israel
Vs. 10 - “O ye wicked ones” is not in the OT
When Christ comes again, the wicked will try to hide.
Vs. 11 - When Christ comes; people and things, which have been highly esteemed, will not seem like much.
Vs. 12 - “the day of the Lord, in that day, day of visitation, day of his fierce anger, and day of the Lord’s vengeance are found more than 55 times. All refer to 2nd coming. D&C 64:23 says that now is called today, until the coming of the Son of Man.
Vs. 13 - “Symbolically, the scriptures consistently use trees to represent men. Green trees are righteous people (Ps. 1:3; D&C 135:6) and dry trees represent the wicked (Luke 23:31: 3 Nephi 14:17-18. In the context of 2 Nephi 2:11-21, oaks and cedars are like proud people, who Isaiah informs us, are high and lifted up, and the day of the Lord shall come upon them too.” (Parry, p. 34)
Bashan is north of Gilead. Its forests produced rare hardwood, Lebanon is a mountain range in Syria known for its fine cedars, used because of its fragrance & in building fancy places.
Vs. 14 - these mountains and hills may represent false temples. Hills, mountains, towers and walls are all representative of protection that will not abide the coming of the Lord.
Vs. 16 - Tarshish was a wealthy seaport, possibly from Spain
Pleasant pictures has something to do with imagery or figures. Possible images on the sails of ships from Tarshish?
Vs. 17 - see vs 12 above. Repetition for emphasis
Vs. 19 - see vs. 10
Vs. 20 - bats and moles are animals that cannot see. The very items that were prized because of their beauty will be tossed to animals that cannot see them! The wicked go to dark places when the God of Light appears.
Vs. 21 - in times of trouble, the sinners go to the wrong Rock.
2 NEPHI 13-14 (ISAIAH 3-4)
This chapter is a great example of Dualism. The verses are obviously pointing to the conditions in Jerusalem in 587 BC. They also portray the conditions of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. However, they would not be in the Book of Mormon without relevance for our day.
Vs. 1 - When the bread and water are taken away from a people, they not only experience famine, they may also forfeit the help of the Bread of Life and the Living Water. “One meaning of the word “stay” is support. “Staff also bears the connotation of support. In Hebrew, staff is the feminine form of the masculine stay. Using both terms may indicate complete withdrawal of support.
Vs. 2,3 - Eleven types of leaders. All leaders are taken away.
Vs. 4 - This verse may refer to the reign of young leaders like Jehoiachin who ruled Judah
Vs. 5 - Disrespect of the elderly was probably a bigger surprise in their day than it has become in ours.
Vs. 6 - With a lack of leadership in the form of kings or the patriarchal order, a brother with only a “simlah” a cloak, which is not a rich man’s robe, but is itself a sign of poverty, is called to lead. The bad situation is again emphasized.
Vs. 7 - the word “healer” refers to one who binds up wounds and the message is, “I have problems enough of my own, I won’t lead.”
Vs. 8 - Both the words and deeds of Judah
Vs. 9, 11- The men of Sodom
Vs. 10 - Remember that trees often represent people and their good fruit represent good works.
Yet another reminder that the righteous need not fear.
Vs. 12 - Being led by a woman was in insult in the ancient Israelite culture. It is also an indication of the breakdown in the power and influence of the Priesthood. President Benson said,
“And so today, the undermining of the home and family is on the increase, with the devil anxiously working to displace the father as the head of the home and create rebellion among the children. The Book of Mormon describes the condition when it states, And my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them, And then these words follow-and consider these words seriously when you think of those political leaders who are promoting birth control and abortion; O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths.” (CR, Oct. 1970 p. 21.)
Vs. 13 - Standing was important in the ancient Israel
Vs. 14 - The Lord will judge those who should have been leading, but instead have consumed through taxation and misuse, the food and sustenance of the poor.
Vs. 15 - May refer to taxation, physical punishment and attitude of rulers.
Vs. 16 - Daughter of Zion in the singular usually refers to Jerusalem
Stretched forth necks- head up and looking to see who’s looking
wanton eyes-seductive eyes that focus on carnality
walking and mincing as they go-walking in an affected manner with short, rapid steps that draw attention to them.
Making a tinkling with their feet-ankle ornaments called bangles were often worn by women in Eastern countries. Sometimes a bell was attached.
Vs. 17 - smite with a scab the crown of the head - may refer to a Babylonian custom of shaving the front part of the head of captives. In addition, since the Hebrew word for atonement means “covering” an uncovered head may point to one who has lost some of the privileges of the Atonement.
Discover their secret parts-put them to shame.
Vs. 18 - bravery of their tinkling ornaments- Have you ever seen a proud person who was forced to make a public appearance without their makeup and worldly clothing?
Cauls-possible hairnets or headbands round tires like the moon-crescent shaped ornaments
Vs. 19 - Chains-pendants or earrings mufflers-veils
Vs. 20 - tablets-perfume boxes?
Vs. 22 -Changeable suits of apparel=Festival robes or resplendent garments? In our day the contents of the walk in closets. How many pair of shoes? 69 coats
Wimples-cloaks or shawls
Crisping ping-purses or satchels
Vs. 23 - Glasses-Two possible meanings are considered. 1. Polished metal mirrors or looking glasses. 2. Footnote of Is. 3:23 states that they are transparent garments.
Hoods - Women’s turbans.
The last three verses + one of chapter four portray a time of war and its results
Vs. 24 - the stink may have reference to the stench of dead bodies or festering wounds. (Ground zero)
instead of a girdle a rent- rent=torn clothing, from riches to rags. Some translations replace the word girdle with rope, indicating that a fine sash or expensive belt will be replaced with a rope by which he will be led as a slave.
Baldness- self-imposed baldness, sitting on the ground (vs. 26) and wearing sackcloth are all symbols of mourning.
Burning-Branding, once a mark of captivity and slavery
Vs. 26 - her gates shall lament - the gates of a city were the public thoroughfares. Here is where public displays of lamenting and mourning were exhibited.
4:1- JST places this verse as the last verse of 3 in Isaiah. It talks not of a time of plural marriage but of a time when, because of war, women will be without husbands and will be willing to assume a non-female assignment to go out and earn a living for herself. Seven women will take a hold of one man. Kind of like a 25-30 year old young adult activity. Seven is here, most probably symbolic of simply a lot or a fullness of women.
Reproach-disgrace caused by barrenness of the womb. A result of not having a husband.
Victor Ludlow suggests the possibility of sterility in that day because of radiation related to war!
Isaiah chapter four (2 Nephi 14) focuses on the hope and holiness of the millennial day.
4:2 - In Hebrew “branch” was symbolic of the Messiah. Branch may also represent a broken off remnant of the House of Israel. Fruit may refer to the abundance of millennial life or the spiritual food of the restored gospel. The escaped of Israel would have reference to those who trusted in the Lord rather than their former captors.
4:3 - Written among the living - may have reference to those whose names are written in the lamb’s book of life.
4:4 - The wicked will be judged and destroyed from off the earth for the millennium.
4:5 - The Lord compares all homes to the Temple on Mount Zion
4:6 - the Lord promises millennial protection
“If one assumes that the Hebrew is correct, then the passage seems to be highlighting very worldly women in a pre-millennial era who will do anything physically to attract men. If the context is the Millennium, then a literal reading of the verse would suggest a possible restoration of plural marriage. However, noting Isaiah’s employment of the symbolic number seven, an alternate millennial reading may be drawn. As a possible suggestion, note the following rendering of the verse: In the Millennium seven women [the entire church] will lay hold of one man [Christ] and say to him, We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes: but let us be called after thy name [through covenants, also associated with the number seven] that we might have our shame removed.”(Alonzo Gaskill, The Lost Language of Symbolism, p. 127.)
