1 Nephi 22:24

Brant Gardner

This short verse provides an opportunity to examine the translation language of the Book of Mormon. It should never be forgotten that the Book of Mormon was translated into English, and that the Nephite language was the original. The relationship between the English words and the Nephite meaning is a question that has been variously examined, with differing opinions.

The best understanding of how the English text relates to the original Nephite language is one of a functional translation. That is, there isn’t a word-for-word translation, but one that translates meaning and understanding. This verse provides examples of how that process words.

First we have the phrase that “the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall.” That language is a very specific phrase, and reflects Malachi 4:2: “the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” Unlike many references to Old Testament writings, Malachi postdates the departure of Lehi from Jerusalem, and therefore could not have been on the plates of brass.

The final phrase says that the “Holy One of Israeli must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory.” Although the specific set of words is not precise, the parallel to Jude 1:25 suggests that it influenced the Book of Mormon translation. It says: “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power.”

The vocabulary of 1 Nephi 22:24 reflects phrasing that appear to have been borrowed from Malachi and Jude, neither of which would have been available to Nephi. The best understanding is that these are phrases that Joseph understood and used in his translation when they fit the intended meaning and context of the Nephite original.

The presence of these phrases cannot mean that they were part of the original, because the specifics of the allusions are to the specific English translation of the Book of Mormon. They are obvious because they follow well known scriptures.

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