2 Nephi 10:15-17

Brant Gardner

After declaring that the ultimate king is Jehovah, Jehovah speaks of defeating those who oppose him. This is certainly a prophecy of the end times, although Jacob will make it more relevant to his own people in the following verses.

The point is that all who fight against Zion will ultimately perish. The language used for this description of who “all” might be is a literary set of oppositions. This is a known Hebraic literary technique where the part stands for all. Thus, by stating the opposition of Jew and Gentile, Jacob includes all humankind. Similarly, bond and free, male and female, similarly describe all humankind, and intensify the statement.

We can see the similar usage in 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Paul’s context is positive, where Jacob’s use is negative, but the point of inclusion is the same. This is also a phrase that we see in the New Testament but not in the Old Testament. While the technique is older than the New Testament, it is New Testament language that influenced this particular translation of the idea.

The import of this set of verses comes in the last verse, verse 17. Jehovah declares that he will fulfill the promises he has made. To this point, it is a promise that he will be the king of kings and will vanquish his enemies. That positive message turns darker in the next verses.

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