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Why Would Nephi Call the Ocean "Irreantum"?

This detail in the Book of Mormon of Nephi or Lehi naming new places they encountered on their journey shows the text is rooted in the world of the ancient Near East. “The literary device of supplying the translation of a foreign word or unknown phrase within a text is called a gloss and is well documented in ancient Near Eastern texts,” explain Hoskisson, Hauglid, and Gee. Beyond that, Nephi’s naming of the sea “many waters” perhaps indicates that he and his family felt overwhelmed or awed in their encounter with what is probably the Arabian Sea. This may have made them feel somewhat out of their element, thus necessitating them to continue relying on the Lord to provide for and guide them.

English
  • Originally Aired January 27, 2016
  • Runtime 5 minutes
  • Production Code 20
  • Network YouTube
  • Created August 26, 2019 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified August 26, 2019 by
    Administrator admin