Home / BoM / 2 Nephi / Chapter 13
THE SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI
CHAPTER 13
Judah and Jerusalem shall be punished for their disobedience—The Lord pleads for and judges his people—The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness—Compare Isaiah 3. [Between 559 and 545 B.C.]
[ Remember this is the same dream that started back in 2 Ne. 12. This vision is in reverse order, so in chapter 12 we started with the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, and then it talked about the last great cleansing event. Now we are going to that period right before the great cleansing, and the trials that await Judah at the hands of the latter day antichrist. ] 1  FOR behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts [ What exactly does “host” mean? The phrase “Lord of Hosts” is the same as the “Lord of Sabaoth.” “The Lord of Sabaoth was a title of Jehovah; the hosts were the armies of Israel (1 Sam. 17:45), but also included the angelic armies of heaven” (Bible Dictionary, “Sabaoth,” ] , doth take away from Jerusalem, and from Judah, [ These are the trails that will come to the house of Judah during the reign if the antichrist in Jerusalem after he is removed from America. As a result of being removed from America he will be extra nasty during this reign. He will be especially wanting to take aim at any of the house of Israel - Judah in the case because it was the house of Israel - the ten tribes that ended his rule in America. ] the stay and the staff, [ All that is necessary to sustain life will dwindle during the seige. This hunger will be allowed one last time as the final purging so to speak of the jews. Hebrew, "the support masculine, and the support feminine:" that is, every kind of support, whether great or small, strong or weak.] the whole staff of bread, [ Symbolic of those in spiritual famine as they have rejected the bread of life. Foreshadows a spiritual famine of those who reject the Lord, who is “the whole staff of bread”—the bread of life—and “the whole stay of water”—the living water. ] and the whole stay of water— [ Loss of food and water will make one destitute, so wil turn to God others further away. Those who have rejected the living water. The strong and wise men of the world will be made weak and foolish simply by taking their bread and water away. Thus the mortal's dependance upon Providence is exposed. Classically the Lord often uses hunger as a means to get man to repent. If one stores food in food storage and the rest of the world is hungry 1) you will not have to suffer while they wait to repent. Or will you because if you have food and don't give them some of it are you not humble and therefore need to repent as well?]
2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient; [ Used to show that it is pretty much everyone that has had a part in the wickedness - therefore everyone must share in the punishment. ]
3  The captain of fifty, [ One of the least and lowest commanders in war; such also shall fail, and therefore all must needs fall to wreck and ruin. THe idea being conveied is that there shall not even be a man who can command an army of 50 men. ] , and the honorable man, [ Heb., The man eminent in countenance; Sept., Yαυμαστον, a man of respect and authority. ] , and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, [ The wise man of magic arts. Or An artist; mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind; as a silversmith or sadler. ] and the eloquent orator. [ Heb., Skilled in charms. Those who are skillful with the twisting of words. The idea here is to convey the meaning that it will be everyone that will be brought into captivity even those who and twist the words of others to get out of uncomfortable situations. When Israel and Judah were conquered by foreign nations like Assyria and Babylon, the conquerors carried away the upper class to serve them and to remove leaders that might threaten rebellion. Those who were left—women (v. 12), children (v. 4), or even a man with a cloak (v. 6, NRSV)—might be sought to lead. This theme continues through v. 12. These honorable counselors are the "stay of bread and water". Joseph provided bread and water for the house of Israel when there was famine in the Land. He saved his father's house from starvation. God sent him to Egypt to prepare the way. Centuries later when they left Egypt, Moses, descendent of Joseph, also was God's instrument to provide bread (Manna) for them in the wilderness, and water also. The Lord will take away these types of people, and anyone else who can accomplish things and lead. Many will be taken to Babylon in the captivity. some, however, will be taken by the Lord before the captivity, like Lehi, and Nephi, and these "stays" will be scattered by the hand of the Lord in the nethermost parts of the vineyard because Israel as a whole will not accept them. ]
4 And I will give children unto them to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. [ The untrained, the young with no status in society will be appointed to rule. Why? To create chaos maybe; because it becomes a world without rules. Is this to be taken literally or the fact that even though the rulers are adults they will act like children, they are untrained and unrestrained like children. Incompetence, weakness, and ignorance of the people Are not all as children if they do not have the revelation and authority from God? This also was fully accomplished in the succession of weak and wicked princes, from the death of Josiah to the destruction of the city and temple, and the taking of Zedekiah, the last of them, by Nebuchadnezzar. When the leaders of government are taken away, the government collapses, and anybody can become a leader by shear energy and strength. some people will try to imitate the government of God, by calling some others to serve, who seem to have the blessings of God, (i.e. clothing of the priesthood, and "bread" like Joseph and Moses, however these people know they are not called of God to lead his people, and decline because they do not have the keys.) ]
5 And the people shall be oppressed, [ Breakdown of society because all are disregarding the Law of Moses, compare Isaiah 1:16-17. ] every one by another, [ complete anarchy as everyone is their own leader/ruler. ] and every one by his neighbor; the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient,[ As people there will be no respect for each other, everyone is out for themselves, including the children who do not respect their parents. Are we there yet? ] and the base against [ In provision for; in preparation for. ] the honorable.
6 When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, [ The case seems to require that the man should apply to a person of some sort of rank and eminence; one that was the head of his father's house, (see Josh. xii. 14,) ] and shall say: Thou hast clothing, [ As if to say that at least you have clothing so you must have some power or have done something right because the rest of us have nothing. The people would be so desperate for leadership that they would select rulers because they were able to dress decently, but even family leaders would refuse to help. The Book of Mormon provides textual clarification for verse 6, showing that the people pleaded that the ruler not let ruin come upon them (see 2 Nephi 13:6).” Old Testament Student Manual (OTSM) That is, shall entreat him in an humble and supplicating manner. "Ten men shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you; for we have heard that God is with you," Zech. viii. 23. And so in chap. iv. 1, the same gesture is used to express earnest and humble entreaty. The behaviour of Saul towards Samuel was of the same kind, when he laid hold on the skirt of his raiment, 1 Samuel xv. 27. The preceding and following verses show, that his whole deportment, in regard to the prophet, was full of submission and humility. ] be thou our ruler, [ Or the sole reason why they should be a ruler is because they have clothes. This is how poor and desperate due to devastation and anarchy the people have become. ] and let not this ruin come under thy hand— [ Thy power. Take into thy hand our ruinous state." ]
7 In that day shall he swear, saying: I will not be a healer; [ HEB a binder up (of a wound); i.e., I cannot solve your problems. invoked by the covenant curse referred to in Isaiah 1:5-6. A statement that he will not/cannot help them. Invoked by the covenant curse referred to in Isaiah 1:5-6. A statement that he will not/cannot help them. So even the one nominated to lead because of his clothing will be powerless to alleviate the hunger and suffering. ] for in my house there is neither bread nor clothing; make me not a ruler of the people. [ Or even those who are nominated to lead will reject saying that there is nothing that I can do to eliminate the suffering of hunger so I don't want the job. ]
8 For Jerusalem is ruined, [ About 587 B.C. the city of Jerusalem fell and Judah was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (see Bible Dictionary, “Chronology: Kings of Judah and Israel,” capture of Jerusalem, 639). The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and scattered the Jews to various parts of the world in A.D. 70 (see Bible Dictionary, “Chronology: Jewish History,” 645), and again in A.D. 132–35. Surely they had, as Isaiah said, “rewarded evil unto themselves” (2 Nephi 13:9). ] and Judah is fallen, because their tongues and their doings have been against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
9 The show of their countenance doth witness against them, [ Their outward appearance shows their inward guilt. President David O. McKay (1873–1970) taught: “No man can disobey the word of God and not suffer for so doing. No sin, however secret, can escape retribution. True, you may lie and not be detected; you may violate virtue without it being known by any who would scandalize you; yet you cannot escape the judgment that follows such transgression. The lie is lodged in the recesses of your mind, an impairment of your character that will reflect sometime, somehow in your countenance or bearing” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1951, 8). Righteousness and wickedness affect both attitude and appearance. President Brigham Young (1801–77) said, “Those who have got the forgiveness of their sins have countenances that look bright, and they will shine with the intelligence of heaven” (“Speech,” Times and Seasons, July 1, 1845, 956). ] and doth declare their sin [ The commandments that they choose to break ] to be even as sodom, [ Compare to Isaiah 3 here it appears as though it is the Lord who sees their sin and there is no escape - even as those in sodom. ] and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!
10 Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; [ Righteous spared while the wicked suffer. ] for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
11 Wo [ Greif; sorrow; misery or heavy calamity; a curse. ] unto the wicked, for they shall perish; [ KJV:it shall be ill with him. ] for the reward of their hands shall be upon them!
12 And my people, children [ The level of their intelligence, their decision making capacity, their knowledge of God. ] are their oppressors, and women rule over them. [ Women's liberation, which leads to the destruction of masculinity, and then eventually the need for a father in the home. Marxism is designed to make the father as well as christians despised as villains. This verse refers to women ruling over Judah. Note nothing derogatory is said about leadership by women per se, but obviously, they would not be ruling with the priesthood. During Judah’s dispersion among the Gentiles, there were undoubtedly many women [queens, etc.] who ruled over them and in modern times Golda Meir served as modern Isreal’s prime minister. Chaos will be in Jerusalem and Judah as those left with no leaders will be ruled over by women and children. President Benson observed that in our day and time this scripture was fulfilled by those unwanted pregnancies in the homes of parents who become oppressed by having children. To escape the oppression, they resort to abortion, and indulge in child abuse. (Ezra T. Benson, C.R. Oct. 1970, p. 21, see Appendix #26, p. 210) When the true marriage covenant is not respected by God's people, they will not understand #1, why they marry. #2, Children will be denied by birth control and abortion. #3, Divorce will be common place because the significance of the covenant is not understood. Brigham said children would travel from here to England to be married right, if they understood things as they really are (Quoted by President Gordon B. Hinckley in C.R. Ap. 1974, P. 32.) ] O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err [ President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) interpreted this verse “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 this 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.’ (2 Ne. 13:12.)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 21). ] and destroy the way of thy paths.
13 The Lord standeth up to plead, [ HEB contend. ] , and standeth to judge the people.
14 The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients [ The elders of the people, their leaders. ] of his people and the princes thereof; for ye have eaten up the vineyard [ Israel is symbolically a vineyard, compare chapter 5. The vineyard is a symbol of the chosen people (see Isaiah 5:7), and the rulers of Israel were called to be watchmen over the vineyard. Instead of guarding the Lord’s vineyard they had oppressed the people and consumed the vineyard (compare Matthew 21:33–40). (OTSM) ] and the spoil of the poor [ The widows mite. ] in your houses. [ You have in your treasuries enough to address the needs of the people, to ensure their survival if you were to give it some thought and planning in the time that remains. The elders of Israel failed to use the resources given them by such as the widow. They should have used them as Joseph of Egypt did to prepare for time of need, and yet the elders used the widows mite to line their own pockets. Shame on them. ]
15 What mean ye? Ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces [ Oppress - grievous offense according to the Law of Moses. Or you elders know what you have done, you have done nothing to build up the reserves for a period of need, to protect the widow and the orphan. ] of the poor, saith the Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] of Hosts.
[ Following this vision as it works from the millennium back to the start we are now at the point where Isaiah will begin to talk about what will happen in America. Verses 16–24. The “Daughters of Zion” to Succumb to Worldliness in the Latter Days. In these verses one can see a good example of dualism (see E-5 in the Old Testament Student Manual). Isaiah shows that the wickedness prevailing in Israel and Judah included the women, who were proud, arrogant, and more concerned with their clothing, jewels, and personal appearance than with righteousness. But these verses can also be applied in the latter days, when women will once more lose sight of proper priorities. President Joseph Fielding Smith said of this passage: “Isaiah, one of the great prophets of early times, saw our day, and he described the conditions that would prevail among the ‘daughters of Zion’ in these latter days. … “Now, in this modern day, Isaiah’s prophecy has been and is being fulfilled. … “The standards expressed by the General Authorities of the Church are that women, as well as men, should dress modestly. They are taught proper deportment and modesty at all times. It is, in my judgment, a sad reflection on the ‘daughters of Zion’ when they dress immodestly. Moreover, this remark pertains to the men as well as to the women. The Lord gave commandments to ancient Israel that both men and women should cover their bodies and observe the law of chastity at all times.” (Answers to Gospel Questions,5:172–74.) The daughters of Zion, those of the pre-mortal covenant--who covenanted to be the mothers of the sons and daughters of God, his chosen people, have forsaken those covenants and blessings in favor of the walk, talk, and preening practices of the world. ]
16 Moreover, the Lord saith: Because the daughters of Zion [ Those who are espoused~ or under covenant to Jehovah. These next verses show that the daughters of God put the things of the world before the things of God. Rather than treating their bodies as temples, ones that are sacred, they choose to adopt the profane ways of the world. IN a way they have become subject to the ways of the world, the world has lowered its standards so low that it has rubbed off on them such that they begin to think that since the world has lowered its standards so has God lowered his standards. As they lower their standards they beauty will be taken away. ] are haughty, [ Hottie; having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy. This statement provides one of great contrast in that the women are looking to make a statement about themsleves and do so by showing their outside beauty as opposed to or because they have chosen to neglect their inner spirituality. ] and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes, [ Unchaste eyes, Deviating from the rules of chastity lewd lustful lascivious. Hebrew, falsifying their eyes. vs 9 ] walking and mincing as they go, [ Calling attention to themselves - doing their runway struts to get noticed. ] and making a tinkling [ (Isa. 3:18), anklets of silver or gold, etc., such as are still used by women in Syria and the East. The women wore costly ornamental chains connecting rings about the ankles. These were often adorned with bells. ] with their feet—
17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head [ Syphilis and venereal disease see syphilis pictures. Syphilis 1 Syphilis 2 Syphilis 3 ] of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. [ Put to shame. It was the barbarous custom of the conquerors of those times to strip their captives naked, and to make them travel in that condition, exposed to the inclemency of the weather; and the worst of all, to the intolerable heat of the sun. But this to the women was the height of cruelty and indignity; and especially to such as those here described, who had indulged themselves in all manner of delicacies of living, and all the superfluities of ornamental dress; and even whose faces had hardly ever been exposed to the sight of man. ]
18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery [ An old English word meaning comeliness or beauty. ] of their tinkling ornaments, and cauls, [ A covering of network for the head worn by women also a net.  ; (Heb. yothe'reth; i.e., "something redundant"), the membrane which covers the upper part of the liver (Ex. 29:13, 22; Lev. 3:4, 10, 15; 4:9; 7:4; marg., "midriff"). In Hos. 13:8 (Heb. seghor; i.e., "an enclosure") the pericardium, or parts about the heart, is meant. ] and round tires like the moon;
19 The chains and the bracelets, and the mufflers; [ A scarf worn around the neck for protecting the head and neck in cold weather. ]
20 The bonnets, [ Headdress. ] and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, [ A band worn around or over the head. ] and the tablets, [ Probably a string of beads worn round the neck (Ex. 35:22; Num. 31:50). In Isa. 3:20 the Hebrew word means a perfume-box, as it is rendered in the Revised Version. ] and the ear-rings; [ Charms or amulets. ]
21 The rings, and nose jewels; [ They were among the most valued of ancient female ornaments. They "were made of ivory or metal, and occasionally jeweled. They were more than an inch in diameter, and hung upon the mouth. Eliezer gave one to Rebekah which was of gold and weighed half a shekel...At the present day the women in the country and in the desert wear these ornaments in one of the sides of the nostrils, which droop like the ears in consequence see nosepiercing.jpg]
22 The changeable suits of apparel, [ Clothing for festivals only. ] and the mantles, [ A loose garment to be worn over other garments an enveloping robe a cloak Hence figuratively a covering or concealing envelope. Heb. 'addereth, a large over-garment. This word is used of Elijah's mantle (1 Kings 19:13, 19; 2 Kings 2:8, 13, etc.), which was probably a sheepskin. It appears to have been his only garment, a strip of skin or leather binding it to his loins. _'Addereth_ twice occurs with the epithet "hairy" (Gen. 25:25; Zech. 13:4, R.V.). It is the word denoting the "goodly Babylonish garment" which Achan coveted (Josh. 7:21) ] and the wimples, [ A covering of silk, linen, or other material, for the neck or chin, formerly worn by women as an outdoor protection, and still retained in the dress of nuns. ] and the crisping-pins; [ Hebrew suggests a bag, like modern purses or handbags; Money purse that is strapped to your body. ]
23 The glasses, [ Metal mirror,, some also suggest transparent clothing. ] and the fine linen, and hoods, and the veils.
24 And it shall come to pass, instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, [ A sash used to fasten the outer clothing. ] a rent; [ Rope as used to bind slaves. ] and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; [ Black goats hair worn at times of great morning; symbolic of mourning and penitence, worthlessness. ] burning [ Branding that takes place when one becomes a slave; symbol of judgement. ] instead of beauty.
25 Thy men shall fall by the sword [ Now God turns to his sons. While the women just loose their beauty and are humbled, the sons on the other hand will die in great numbers as a result of war. Israel will be conquered by others in war. ] and thy mighty in the war. [ The war that the antichrist will render against the saints. ]
26  And her [ Zion's. ] gates shall lament and mourn; and she shall be desolate, [ Based on the results of the war six out of 7 men do not survive - 86% are killed. The fact that so many of Zion's son are killed should awaken every member of Zion right now. We all need to ask the question s. What is the reason why so many will die and is there a way to be with the one's who are sparred? First in 1 Ne. 22:17 Nephi taught that the righteous need not fear, as they will be preserved. So the fact that so many are not sparred is telling. Why? Nephi give a small clue in his summary of the Isaiah chapters as found in 2 Ne. 28:21,24,25. ] and shall sit upon the ground. [ Jerusalem shall be emptied, or cleaned out and left without inhabitants. This is why 2 Ne. 14:1 should go right here. The exploits of war have ravaged the earth so bad that there are few men left. ]