Dr. Einar C. Erickson
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When they were talking about heavenly enthronement following baptism and certain rites, they considered themselves involved in a priestly ritual. It involved a garment, a girdle, a covering shirt, a priestly stole, a crown, special drawers and a staff, sandals included.

BOOK OF MORMON NAMES FOUND IN DOCUMENT DISCOVERIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST--INCLUDING THE AKKADIAN DICTIONARY

                                                                                NEPHIHAH to OMER

 INTRODUCTION

This entry in the WEB site is a little longer than most because I wanted to finish the names beginning with “N.” There were also major figures and places in this series of names, NAZARETH, NEPHI, NEW JERUSALEM, NIMROD, and NOAH. Much is available on all of them, but our emphasis is to discuss the impact of the restored gospel and its doctrines on these names often difficult to find. Also, some names, . like NOAH, are part of on-going discussion and debate among scholars, and often there is information from restored doctrines and teachings that shed light on and even resolve controversy. In this series there were several outstanding evidences of authenticity that testify that the Book of Mormon is what it is represented to be, a Divine Declaration of the reality of Jesus Christ, God the father, and the role of Joseph Smith as one of his great prophets. 

NEPHIHAH

NEPHIHAH was a wise and respected elder of the Church who was selected by Alma and confirmed by the voice of the people as the second Nephite Chief Judge  in Zarahemla, (Alma  4:16-17; 50:37) about 83 BC. Alma left that office by the promptings of the Spirit, in order to do missionary work, “seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were  in bearing down in pure testimony against them.“ (Alma 4:19). Alma retained the office of Chief High Priest and Leader of the Church. NEPHIHAH filled his new office with perfect uprightness (Alma 50:37) for the next sixteen years, years of severe crises and conflict. First with Zerahemnah (Alma 43-44) then the traitor AMALICKIAH who wanted to overthrow the system of Judges and make himself king.  (Alma 46-50) NEPHIHAH admitted the ANTI-NEPHI-LEHITES into Nephite lands. (See entry for this web site 18 May 2009, They Did Bury Their Weapons Parts 1 to 6) He, with Alma, sat in judgement against the anti-Christ KORIHOR. (Alma 30:20-30) NEPHIHAH died about 67 BC after the rebellion of MORIANTON, his office as Chief Judge and Governor of the Land was filled by his son Pahoran. (Alma 50:39-40) NEPHIHAH had declined to be custodian of the sacred records, so Alma passed them to his son Helaman, whose record then takes the Book of Mormon down to the time of the coming of CHRIST. (Alma 50:38; Largey p. 601; Pinegar p. 144-435)

The Egyptain name NEPHI in NEPHIHAH was modified by the adding a Hebrew prefix, HAH, an abbreviation for JEHOVAH, not an uncommon thing to do, though usually the abbreviation is IAH. See the discussion in entry AKKADIAN 32, on NEPHI for the meaning of the name. There the meaning was considered to be “large,” all mentioned there applies here as well. However, the meaning with the prefix change can now be:  “JEHOVAH is GREAT, or GREAT is JEHOVAH, or GREAT like JEHOVAH.”  This would be GREAT in the spiritual sense, and the sense of integrity where spiritually great takes on an attributes of CHRIST!

NEPHIHAH: LAND OF, CITY OF, and PLAINS OF NEPHIHAH

MORONI had built the city of NEPHIHAH in NEPHITE lands between the cities of MORONI and ALMA.  (Alma 50:14, about 72 BC)  When the Lamanite forces seized MORONI, its inhabitants fled to NEPHIHAH, which fell five years later. (Alma 51:23-24; 59:5-11)

In the final campaign of MORONI and PAHORAN the Lamanites refused to fight on the PLAINS of NEPHIHAH, but NEPHIHAH was the first city retaken by a strategic night assault. While the Lamanites slept in the east defenses of the city, the NEPHITE army came over the west walls, surprised the enemy and killed many of them without losing one man! The captured Lamanites entered into a covenant of peace rather than remain prisoners. (Alma 62:14-30)

The wording of Alma 51:25-26 suggests the possibility of a second city named NEPHIHAH on the eastern coast. (Largey p. 602)

NEW JERUSALEM

While translating the Book of Mormon Joseph and Oliver learned about the NEW JERUSALEM. (3 Nephi 20:22; Ether 13:2-6) Additional revelations beginning in September 1830, (D&C 28:9, 42:33-36, 62, 67, 57:3 and discussions) clarified that it would be built on the American continent. And there would be a gathering of Israel in the last days in a consecrated land. (Jer.  32:1-12) 

In the Book of Mormon the references are to a Holy City to be built in the latter days “upon the land ‘America’ that would be called NEW JERUSALEM (Ether 13:4-7; 3 Ne. 21:23-24; Articles of Faith 10) and a Heavenly city called New Jerusalem “Which should come down out of heaven,” as a millennial event. (Ether 13:3; Moses 7:60-64) It would be “a center place” or capital city of Zion and is referred to as both the “city of Zion” and the “New Jerusalem” (D&D 57:2, 84:2; 45:66-67)

NEW JERUSALEM- EARTHLY

The Savior said that converted Gentiles, the descendants of Lehi, and “as many of the house of Israel as shall come “would participate in building the New Jerursalm (3 Ne. 24:22-23) that it would be a gathering place for the LORD’S people, notably the seed of Joseph (3 Ne. 21:24; Ether 13:6-8) and the power of heaven and the SAVIOR himself would be there.” (3 Ne. 29:22; 21:25). The LORD  also revealed that “the land of Missouri …[is] the place for the City of ZION,” (Largey p. 611). Latter Day Saints first entered Jackson County January 1831. A revelation to Joseph in July 1831 designated Independence as the “center place.” (Joseph Smith p. 372; D&C 57:1-3; Largey p. 611) There the Saints would build a Temple, unto which all nations and Christ will come in the last days. (Joseph Smith p. xxiii)  Old Jerusalem would be rebuilt with a temple and become a holy city. (Doxey p. 1010) The rebuilt old temple planned for there does not have facilities for the conferring of the Endowment and activities of the modern Mormon Temple.

In the Dead Sea Scrolls the “Qumran Apocalyptic assumes a dualistic universe of light and darkness, the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (or perversity), [think: pleasure and pain]…it looked forward to a final Visitation or Judgement in which there would be a divine purification of mankind. The state ensuing appears to be conceived as that of a New Creation. …or renewal of Creation; it is a return to the state of innocence before the Fall when Adam’s lost ‘glory’ is restored again and he enjoys everlasting life, undisturbed by sin or death.  The actual destruction of the present world at the judgment appears to have been envisaged as a universal conflagration. This new Creation of eternal duration appears to have its location on this earth, for restoration of the Temple in a NEW JEURSALEM SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEW AGE… accompanied by a belief in an eternal life, a life to be shared with angels in heaven (Luke 20:36) …with some form of resurrection hope …also cherished the expectation of the coming of the Moses-like Prophet of Deut. 28:18.” (Black,  Mathew p. 171) We interpret this prophet to be Prophet JOSEPH SMITH. While JOSEPH fulfills details of that predicted prophet, some think it also could refer to CHRIST.

In Revelations 3:12; 21:1; 10 it is described as the capital city of GOD’s New Creation. (Ibid 21:1) The conception is found in the OT and in later Jewish literature. (Isa. 54:60; Ezek. 40; 48; 11 Bar. 4:3; Teat. Dan 5:12; Gal. 4:26-27; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 12:22) The description of this city makes certain its identification with the church of the true people of GOD. (Isa. 61:10; Eph. 5:25; Buttrick p. 543)

“The apocalyptic mysticism of Qumran…the mysteries of the divine PLAN OF SALVATION...the wonderful mysteries…the truth of the secrets of knowledge…the decree or decrees of God regarding man’s salvation, which was hidden and will remain hidden from the  infidels but which GOD has revealed “through His servants, the Prophets.” (Black, Mathew p. 130-131)  ”The prominence in the expectation of the sect [Qumran] of the idea of a NEW TEMPLE in a restored JERUSLAM of…eternal duration.” (Black, Mathew p. 136) This seems to suggest there will be a NEW TEMPLE built in Jerusalem in addition to the rebuilding of the Old Temple.  A Mormon temple so all the ordinances can be performed therein.

There seems to be three special temples that are to be built before Christ comes again. The main one is the temple in Missouri, the second temple is the reconstruction of the old temple as described in chapters 40-45 of Ezekiel, where in there are no facilities for work for the living and the dead, washings and anointing’s, and sealings and other ordinances needed. So a third temple in which can be performed all the ordinances now restored, mentioned in D&C 128; 124:33-37, especially in 124:36 will need to be built.  It will be a Mormon temple and it does not have to be built on the old Temple Mount, but it will be in JERUSALEM!

On the third day of August 1831 the Temple site of the New Jerusalem in Jackson County, Missouri was dedicated by Joseph Smith. (Smith p. 319) The Lord would establish Israel in the land and it would “be a New Jerusalem to them.” (Sperry p. 411) In this Temple, before his second coming the Lord would appear for a short time. (D&C 133:2: 36:8)

NEW JERUSALEM-HEAVENLY

“The city of ENOCH, which was taken up into heaven in ancient times will come down to earth again and its inhabitants will meet the latter-day saints of the earthly." (Moses 7:62-67; Bigelow p. 230)

“It is the NEW JEURSALEM consisting of the city of Zion and the “Jerusalem which is above,” that is “the Bride of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:2, Gal. 4:24; Ep. 3:27) The two will be united when our Savior comes in his Glory “Yes, blessed are they who are called to be citizens in the City of Zion.” (Smith p. 337) “And after that cometh the day of my power….” (D&C 58:11) The two cities shall be united. “Zion will be built. The Temple will be reared.  Enoch’s Zion …the Jerusalem which is above will meet the Saints who take part in the first resurrection.” (Smith p, 337)                         

THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS AND THE NEW JERUSALEM

In the Temple Scroll: “When citing the commands for building the Temple, the author clearly had before him the parallel commands relating to the Tabernacle and its vessels.” (Yadin, Vol. 2 p. 1) Neither edifice allowed for all the spaces and rooms and order of construction, from basement to towers, that will be required for the priesthood ordinances to be performed. So the necessity for a Mormon Temple.

The “saints” of Qumran understood that “the world is to be restored to its ‘paradisiacal’ state before the fall, the glory which Adam lost at the fall is to be restored to the renewed mankind, sin and evil are to be banished from the earth and a renewed and obedient mankind are to live on the earth for a thousand generations which in fact practically means ‘eternal life’. Thus Adam is restored to his state before the Fall and lives forever in his new Paradise.”  (Black, Mathew p.139) With “God coming to dwell with men with his holy angels in a restored Temple in Jerusalem.” (Ibid)

“The rebuilding of the HOLY LAND for the house of Judah and the building of the NEW JERUSALEM  in the Western Hemisphere for the house of Joseph are associated with the return of the Messiah…the 1845 Proclamation of the Twelve (MFP 1:2522-66) says: The New Jerusalem shall “…be his Sanctuary, throne, and seat of government for the whole continent of both America and South America for ever… it will be to the western hemisphere what Jerusalem will be to the eastern. (Doxey p. 1010)  Isaiah foresaw there would be two world capitals. (LARGEY P. 611; 2 Nephi 12:3) “…out of Zion shall go forth the LAW and the WORD of the LORD from JERUSALEM.” (Isaiah” 2:2-3)

When will the LORD return to dwell and reign among the sons of men?

When will the Saints build the New Jerusalem?

The time of each was fixed by the FATHER. The Second Coming is fixed, the hour is set but there are many things yet to be done before the earth’s rightful King comes. Establishing stakes of Zion in all nations is part of the preparation for the time to build the New Jerusalem with its Temples, all 24 of them. (McConkie pp. 500-501)  Many of the other tribes will also return. (Ezek. 48:1-29; Sperry pp. 89-90)

The tenth article of faith states: “we believe …that Zion (The New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent.” (Bigelow p. 230)

The principle of the Law of consecration given in 1831, was, in part for the “building up of the New Jerusalem so the Lord’s covenant people could be gathered.” (28:9; 84:2-4; Sperry DCC., p. 170, 172, 193, 201, 231 [see sections of D&C: 57, 58, 59,60,61,82; Smith DC p. 267, 372 [where it was called the City of Joseph], 387 )  

NEUM

NEUM was the name of an Israelite prophet known only from Nephi’s reference in 1 Nephi 19:10. Neum, like all the prophets, taught something about CHRIST. He foretold the crucifixion and Atonement (Pinegar p. 140) of the GOD of Israel. A prophecy that was presumably cited from the Plates of Brass of Laban and appears in Nephi’s writings with additional prophecies by Zenock, Zenos, and an unamed angel, telling how CHRIST yieldeth himself to be crucified, all of whom related specific details concerning the future mortal ministry of CHRIST, The Holy one of Israel. All of their prophecies would have predated Lehi’s time of departure from Jerusalem. Perhaps someday ancient records may be found that will confirm the existence of these prophets and provide another test of authenticity for the Book of Mormon. NEUM’S prophecy was confirmed by Nephi’s own vision of the crucifixion. (1 Nephi 11:33; Largey p.611) The name is very old.

NEU(M) is OLD AKKADIAN and found in variations that include, with Akkadian mimation when the nominative case still ended in an M:  NEU(M), NE’M, NA’A’M and NEA’UM, ’meaning ‘to turn back, satisfy, deflect, put to flight, etc., (Black p. 251; Nibley Vol 6 p. 288) Mimation permitted a pleasant sounding vocalization. The Jaredites departed using mimation extensively. After 2100 BC mimation was less commonly used and by 1800 BC was used no longer. Endings with an N, nunation, took its place. (Nibley Vol. 6 p. 288) “A glance at [the Book of Mormon] name list will show that mimation is overwhelmingly favored for Jaredite names.”  (Nibley Vol. 8, p. 98) Mimation is likewise characteristic of Akkadian names. It was not used much after the time of Abraham, but quite used before.  

NIMRAH

NIMRAH was the son of the unnamed daughter of Jared who had her father provide entertainment including a seductive dance by her to seduce AKISH who fell for her wiles. Based on the old Gidianton rules of getting gain by murder, she would not marry him until he killed OMER  the king who had taken away the kingdom from Jared.  Which Akish tried to do. (Ether 8:8) This couple had two sons of record, Akish finally killed one of them, the second son was NIMRAH who became angered at AKISH for having his brother killed, But fearful for his own life NIMRAH  gathered a small number of men and fled out of the land and came over and dwelt with OMER the king who had taken the kingdom away from Jared.  (Ether 9:7-9) Akish, totally evil administered the ancient oaths and set out to kill OMER, but OMER was warned by the Lord to flee, which he did. (Ether 9:3) Akish took over and initiated a long war with the destruction of all but thirty souls who had fled with OMER. (Ether 9:12: Largey pp. 12; 431, 432)  Such are the wages of sin!   

NIMRAH is a Jaredite name with NIM as a prefix, and RAH as a suffix as discussed below.

NIMRAH is the alternate form for Beth-Nimrah, meaning, ‘House of Nimrah.’ (Buttrrick p. 551) BETH-NIMRAH was a city in the plains of Moab along the Jordan Valley, fortified by the Gadites, (Num. 32:3; 32: 26; Josh. 13:27), occupied all during the Israelite period, then abandoned. Here the name NIMRAH means “leopard,” (Buttrick p. 396) which reveals its antiquity because in ancient Akkadian you have the mimated form “NIMRU(M),” meaning “leopard!” (Black p. 253) The use of the name and this meaning at BETH-NIMRAH is nearly 1300 years after the Jaredites arrived in the New World. The transmission of that form of the name is obscured in the records of history. Ether prepares the Jaredite record, Moroni translates and abridges it, and it is a separate record from the other plates and records Moroni has, and then Joseph translates it, preserving a unique piece of internal evidence now recognized. This happens again and again.  It is a marvelous work and a wonder! 

NIMROD

NIMROD is a Jaredite name first mentioned in Ether 2:1 as the name of a valley. He was also the son of COHOR who following the defeat and death of his father,  relinquished  the kingdom of Cohor to Shule. Nimrod pleased Schule and was granted great favors. (Ether  7:22; Largey p. 430) Counting Jared, the Leader of the Jaredites, Nimrod is listed as No. 12, but there is no record that he had any issue. “Now COHOR had a son who was called NIMROD; NIMROD gave up the KINGDOM of Cohor to Shule.” (Ether 7:22) The kingdom passed on to descendants of Shule. (Largey p. 431) 

In the Bible NIMROD is mentioned in Genesis 10:8; 1 Chr. 1:8-10; Mic. 5:6, where the name is of uncertain origin and meaning, as the son of Cush and grandson of HAM. He was a powerful man and a mighty hunter, who established a kingdom in the land of Shinar [southeast Iran] including the cities of Babylon, Erech, Accad and Caleneh and founded Nineveh including Samar and Pesh, and other cities. (Mandel p. 409) He became a legendary figure in Jewish lore preserved in SUMERIAN, ASSYRIAN, AKKADIAN, ARABIC and other Middle East Sources. (Douglas p. 1088) Assyria was once even called the “land of NIMROD.” (Buttrick p. 551) He founded the city of BABEL, conceived the tower of BABEL that rabbis would later call the “house of Nimrod.” Josephus called him a “bold man” who thought to outsmart God by building a tower too high for rising waters in case God should have a mind to drown the world again, except he got too bold and tried to extend the tower to reach into heaven, resulting in the confusion of languages. (Gardner p. 323)

The etymology of the name NIMROD is quite uncertain, if from Hebrew it would mean “to rebel.” Or be “bold” (Gardner p. 323). He seems to have done and been that alright, but others have tried to derive the name from “Ninurta” believed to be a Babylonian diety, a “War God,” who was called “the Arrow the mighty  Hero.” ”However, it is probably Mesopotamian in origin,” says Buttrick. (Buttrick p. 551) The Book of Mormon proves him right. The use of the name as a ‘place name’ and the name of a highly placed person in the Jaredite records, ends the controversy.

At the time of the confusion of tongues the brother of Jared was instructed to take all the families with provisions and travel to a valley northward, where they would be instructed on how to proceed to the promised land. (Ether 1P41-43) “And the name of the valley was NIMROD, being called after the mighty hunter” (Ether 2:1). In the valley of Nimrod the LORD counseled with the brother of Jared from a cloud and talked with the brother of Jared and gave them instructions concerning the journey. (Ether 2:4)

In the ancient traditions concerning the early life of Abraham, NIMROD learned about the prophecies of the greatness and the glory of Abraham and perceived him as a great threat, so he tried to prevent his birth by killing thousands of male babies at a certain time, (Tvedtnes p. 165) but failed. (Tvedtnes p. 486) Tereh. Father of Abraham, was a prince in the kingdom of Nimrod, so when Abraham was young Nimrod had him for a servant and then “took him and cast him into the fire” to kill him. But God protected him. (Tvedtnes p.469) Nimrod, extremely vain, tried to fly high enough on vultures to get into heaven to kill GOD but could only go high enough to kill an eagle. (Ibid p. 486)  NIMROD was so arrogant that he denied the faith and declared himself GOD. (Ibid p. 164)

Nimrod had an altar built of wood a thousand camels could haul, set it on fire and then threw Abraham on it, GABRIEL, [NOAH], was sent to put out the fire. (Ibid p. 486) Many times Nimrod tried to have Abraham destroyed by fire. But Abraham was always saved. (Ibid p. 166) Nimrod was king of Ur (which means ‘furnace’) and attempted to kill Abraham by other means. (Abraham Facsimile 2) Six years after Haran, a brother of Abraham, was killed by fire, and Abraham had left Ur because of famine, Nimrod died. (Tvedtnes pp. 269-270)

THE “O” VOWEL

Because of the ‘O’ vowel in the SUFFIX of the name NIMROD,  retained by the Jaredite tongue, the western Semitic languages had lost the ‘O, the name was in the baggage brought by the Jaredites to the new world and used in the first six generations while there, preserving its ancient origins. A neat little test of authenticity!  The ancient Assyrian language preserves the prefix NIM- but with uncertainty of meaning and origin. (Baker p. 963)  The Akkadians also used the element NIM- as a prefix or suffix, meaning “to me.” (Black p. 253) The short Book of Ether was so abridged as to shed very little light on the meaning of the names. But the fact the names are all real and historically accurate shouts out loudly how authentic and real Joseph is as a Prophet and how genuine the Book of Mormon is. It is another one of those “things” that just “happen” when ones gets deep into the Book of Mormon.   

THE BIBLICAL NOAH

NOAH is well known and much has been written about him and it is accessible. In the restored doctrines there is much about him not previously known. (Skinner pp. 1016-1017) Noah is one of GOD’s most notable prophets, and ministering messengers. He was assigned to protect Abraham as discussed below. (Tvedtnes p.174; 558)  He became a second father to the human race after the flood returning to earth often, including to announce the births of both John and Jesus. He was the son of Lamech, who was the son of Methuselah and grandson of Enoch . When Enoch was translated, “Methuselah, the sons of Enoch was not taken…Methuselah prophesied that from his loins should spring all the kingdoms of the earth ‘through NOAH.’” (JST Gen. 7:70-80) “LAMECH lived one hundred and eighty-two years and begot a son and he called his name NOAH saying ‘This son shall COMFORT US concerning our work and toil.’” (Anderson p. 80; JST) “Out of the ground which the Lord has cursed this one  shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands.” (Gen 5:29) LAMECH chose the name NOAH because of the ‘comfort’ [mot relief] the child would bring to his family in their toil. (Skinner p. 1017) A remnant of the posterity of METHUSELAH is found among all nations. (Moses 7:52; Moses 8:3; Skinner pp. 1016-1017)

NOAH was the father of Japheth, Shem and Ham. (Gen.  10:8; 6:11-14, 7) Information on some of his family and his calling is found in the Book of Moses: “And Noah was four hundred and fifty years old and begat Japheth, and forty two years afterwards he begat Shem of her who was mother of Japheth, and when he was five hundred years old he begat HAM [by a different mother?]. (Moses 8:8-12) Noah undoubtedly had more sons and daughters than this and other wives. This also implies that Ham’s mother may have been a faithful wife Noah took with him into the ark. This information differs from that given in the Biblical records.

The Hebrew TANAKH says the name is Hebrew and means: ‘rest,’ the Book of Ether and the Joseph Smith inspired Translation is emphatic that it is ancient, going back to Adamic times and certainly before Akkadian. Some translators, preferring the Hebrew twist, say the use of the meaning ‘COMFORT’  “Is a late, fanciful interpretation.” (Buttrick p. 555) But, Buttrick points out, “All etymologies of ancient names are, of course, uncertain… Originally the name was thought to derive from Assyrian naxu…’to rest,' but this derivation was given up when it was learned that Akkadian ‘x’ and Hebrew ‘u’ do not represent the same consonant. Another suggested connection was with the Old Babylonian nuhiya, but this is an Akkadian diminutive of a name formed from the element nuh which does not vocalize with the name NOAH…two suggestions… (a)…Arabic gives the word  nahahe,” liberality,”generosity,” and (b)  that it is connected with the Akkadian element nah. The discovery of the names Nah-ilu and Muutnaha combinations with nah, make some connection of NOAH with Nah seem most probable for the change from Akkadian Nah to Canaanite-Hebrew No’h easily possible. NAH is apparently a divine name. The name NOAH, therefor, may be theophoric and the personage represented by the name is PRE-ISRAELITE IN ORIGIN.” (Buttrick p. 556) NOAH may so qualify, he is third in authority from Christ and the head of a dispensation. The JST and the book of ETHER require the second, or (b), interpretation. Another internal example of authenticity. “The Hebrew word translated relief is Nachem and NOAH Is noach, but the verb is not Historically the ORIGIN of the name.” The new translator’s Handbook for Genesis suggests a footnote on the meaning of the name NOAH: of “to enable us to be comforted,” (Reyburn p. 138) That would probably be enough.

At the time of NOAH the world was split into two groups: the sons of SETH and NOAH, who were called “THE SONS OF GOD” (Moses 8:13), and “THE SONS OF CAIN.” [Sons of men] who sought to kill NOAH. (Anderson p. 304) The “fair” granddaughters of Noah sold themselves by marrying wicked husbands or those who were descendants of Cain and could not receive the priesthood then. (Anderson p. 120: Abraham 1:21-31; Moses 8:14-30; Roberts pp. 78-81)  When Ham’s wife was found to have the blood of Cain, though she and her children may be righteous, her Issue was not given the priesthood at that time. Noah was a perfect man in his generation and he walked and talked with God. (Gen. 6:8-9) He warned his generation that they would all be destroyed by massive floods. They didn’t listen, and so they were. (D&C 138:41; Moses 8:24)  “In the Koran, Noah has a fourth son who is drowned when he refuses to enter the ark…and it is suggested Noah’s wife also perished…one man’s righteousness made possible the continuation of humankind. ” (Gardner p. 324-328; Gen. 9:1))

RANK-PRIESTHOOD-HEAD OF DISPENSATION

Noah was ten years old when he was ordained to the higher priesthood under the hand of Methuselah. (D&C 107:52) He stands next in authority to Adam in the Priesthood. And in “third position from the Lord” (Skinner p. 1017) He restored certain priesthood keys to Joseph. (D&C 128:21) After the second coming Noah will attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (D&C 17:5-7) After the translation of ENOCH,  Noah was given a dispensation of the Gospel. (Moses 8:13-30) There had been no break in the line of righteous men from the time of Seth till NOAH who held the priesthood, but their was increasing wickedness of the people, and the necessity of warning them of the impending calamities required a dispensation of the Gospel be given unto NOAH. NOAH was commanded to “go forth and declare [the] Gospel unto the children of men even as it was given unto ENOCH.” (Moses 8: 43-68) He was born 600 years before the deluge. (Roberts p. 77; Shulman pp. 18-21; Heap 239) Most of his life he and Methuselah preached the gospel. Those that were converted were translated, but most of the people died, they did not heed his teachings so were destroyed in the flood. NOAH left seven precepts. It may be of interest to note these. These prohibit 1. idolatry, 2.  Irreverence to the Deity; 3. Homicide; 4. unchastity; 5. Fraud and plundering; the 6th enjoins government and obedience and 7th forbids to eat any part of an animal still living. (Roberts p. 81)

NOAH lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. He would have known and taught Abraham. (Shulman pp. 18-21; Heap p. 239) It is written that Abraham spent twenty-nine years in the house of Noah. (Heap pp. 15-16) It is said that Shem [Melchizedek] (D&C 138:41) was king of Jerusalem under his father, that would be Noah, and he well may have been translated when Melchizedek and his city were translated. (Taylor pp. 84-85; JST Joseph Smith Translation)  

There are three references to Noah in the Book of Mormon the main one is in Ether. (Ether 6:7) Twice he is mentioned in the Lord’s promise not to destroy the world again by water. (Alma 10:22, 3 Nephi 22:9) He did not say he would not destroy the earth again, because he will destroy the earth again, just not by water, but by fire. The barges or ships of the Jaredites were favorably compared in tightness to the Ark of NOAH. (Ether 6:7)

NOAH IN THE BOOK OF ETHER- ABOUT 2250 BC

NOAH was ninth from Jared in the genealogy given in Ether. (Largey  p, 431) He  rebelled against his father CORIHOR and uncle, SHULE, the king, he gained a part of the kingdom, they fought again and NOAH obtained the kingdom and imprisoned Shule. At the time he planned to execute Shule , the sons of Shule  assassinated NOAH in his house in a night time raid, rescued their father and restored him to his kingdom. The fighting had divided the country into two kingdoms, that of Shule and Cohor, a son of NOAH. (Largey p. 430-431) Cohor rose up against Shule, but was defeated and slain by Shule. So Nimrod son of Cohor, relinquished the dominion to Shule who supported the ministry of the prophets of his time and reigned in peace and righteousness all his days.  (Ether 13:23; Pinegar p. 148)                 

NOAH SON OF ZENIFF- ABOUT 150 BC

In the colony established by ZENIFf among the Lamanites in the Land of Nephi south of the land of Zarahemla (beginning about 200 BC) the aging ZENIFF had, in about 160 BC, conferred the kingdom upon his son NOAH who became the second Nephite king of the colony. But NOAH was extremely greedy and lascivious, and he led his people into a state of godlessness and bondage and oppression under the Lamanites.

The Lord sent the prophet ABINADI, from where we don’t know, to call Noah and his priests to repentance. (Mosiah 11:20-29; chapters 12-17) Abinadi’s message was compelling and the threat of the impending judgements of God struck Noah with fear. But his priests stirred him up in anger against Abinadi who was sent to a fiery death. As he was taken to be burned, Abinadi said to NOAH “Behold. Even as ye have done to me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire, and thus because they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God.”(Mosiah 17:15; Pinegar p. 148)

NOAH fled into the wilderness ahead of the invading Lamanites, commanding his people to abandon their wives and children to the mercy of the enemy. Limhi, son of Noah, and others, refused to do so and remained to protect their families.

The Lamanites had compassion on them and they were permitted to remain though a heavy tribute was required.( Mosiah 19:9-17) In the meantime, a strong man of Noah’s army, Gideon,  rebelled against him, even failed in an attempt to  kill NoahGideon sent a search party into the wilderness to find NOAH, instead they found the remainder of the people who had fled before the Lamanites. They informed Gideon they had great remorse in abandoning their families and sought for permission from Noah to return at the peril of their lives. Noah refused to permit them to return. They became angry and caused that Noah should suffer death by fire, (Mosiah 19:20), fulfilling, in part, the prophecy of Abinadi. The priests of the wicked king Noah were driven and smitten by their enemies according to the judgement of the Almighty, fulfilling the rest of Abinadi’s prophecy. (Largey pp. 148-9; (Alma 25:8, 12) Abinadi was an elderly man when he appeared before the courts of Noah. What did he give his life for?  Was it so one man would be saved and experience a great spiritual life and his teachings would eventually reach billions? The one lone priest, so impressed by Abindai that he escaped alone into the wilderness and with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, became the great ALMA! What would the Book of Mormon be without the Book of Alma?

The next entry will start with the name OGATH.

            BIBLOGRAPHY

ANDERSON, T. G., Genesis Made Whole, Best Books Publishing, Provo, Utah, 1989

BAKER, Heather, The Prosopography of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, Vol. 2, Part 11, L-N, University of Helsinki, 2001

BIGELOW. Christopher K. & Jonathan Langford, The Latter Day Saint Family Encyclopedia, Thunder Bay Press, San Diego, Calif., 2010

BLACK, Mathew, The Scrolls and Christian Origins, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1961

Buttrick, George A. Ed., The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Abingdon Press, New York, 1962

DOUGLAS, J.D., The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Inter Varsity Press. Tyndale House Publishers, Hooder and Stroughton, Sidney, 1980

DOXEY, Graham W., in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Ed. Daniel H. Ludlow, Macmillan, New York, 1992

GARDNER, Joseph L., Who’s Who in the Bible, The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., Pleasantville, New York, 1964

HEAP, Norman L., Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Servants pf God, Vantage Press, New York, 1986

JST: Joseph Smith Translation, The Holy Scriptures, RCJCLDS, Herald Publishing House, Independence, Missouri, 1959      

LARGEY, Dennis L. , Book of Mormon Reference Companion , Deseret Book Co., Salt Lake City, Utah,  2003

MANDEL, David, Who’s Who in Tanakh, Ariel Books, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2004

McCONKIE, Bruce R., A New Witness For the Articles of Faith, Deseret Book Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, 1985

PINEGAR, Ed J. & Richard J. Allen, The Book of Mormon Who’s ‘’Who, Covenant Communications, American Fork, Utah, 2007

REYBURN, William D., & Euan McG. Fry, A Handbook on Genesis, United Bible Society, New York, 1985

ROBERTS, B. H., Seventy’s Course in Theology, Second year, The Deseret News, Salt Lake City. 1908

SHULMAN, Eliezer, The Sequence of Events in the Old Testament, Investment Co. of Bank of Hapoalim and Ministry of Defense, Israel, 1987

SMITH, Joseph, The Joseph Papers, Journals,  Vol. 1, The Church Historian’s Press, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2008 

SMITH, Joseph Fielding  & Harold B Lee & Marion G. Romney, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary. Revised, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1978

SPERRY, S. B., Book of Mormon Compendium, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1968

SPERRY, Sidney B., DCC. Doctrine and Covenants Compendium, Bookcraft Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, 1980

TAYLOR, John , Mediation and Atonement, Stevens and Wallis, Inc., Salt LakeCity, Utah, 1950

TWEDTNES, John A., Brian M. Hauglid & John Gee. Ed. Traditions About the Early Life of Abraham, FARMS, BYU, Provo, Utah, 2001

 

 

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