President Nelson has asked us to increase our capacity to receive personal revelation. I feel he is inviting us to become more and more comfortable feeling the fire of the Holy Ghost. Especially as we prepare for being in the presence of the Savior, and eventually in the presence of the Father
Taylor! I recently uncovered some insights from my personal study that I am extremely excited about. You’re my guy so I was super excited to share it with you. So one of my favorite scripture individuals is Gideon. He pops up over and over doing incredible things without all the praise and glory. It occurred to me to learn the meaning of his name (the name being the message of course😜) . I found “Gideon” (Hebrew: גדעון) means “one who cuts down,” "feller," "hewer," “cutter off,” or even "cut off hand.” This made a lot of sense because we are first introduced to Gideon attempting to “cut down” King Noah and finally as he is “cut down” by Nehor. So I went back to study every reference of Gideon in the BoM. I was absolutely shocked at what I found. A synonym of to “cut down” or “hew down” is to “slay” or “slay with the sword.” This word or phrase is repeated over and over and over in association with Gideon and his narrative. I think we are seeing a Hebraic wordplay on his name. The evidence is stark. Every time his name is used the word “slay” is also used in some form in the exact same verse or the previous/subsequent verse. In all these cases you could replace “slay” with “cut down.” First Gideon is introduced “he drew his sword, and swore in his wrath that he would slay (cut down) the king” (Mosiah 19:4), but the Laminites attack “and began to slay them (cut them down)” (Mosiah 19:10). There are more references to Gideon as the Lamanites “slay” woman and children and later when the people “slay” King Noah. Gideon appears again in chapter 20 in order to prevent the Lamanites from “slaying” the people because of the wicked priests’ kidnappings. In Mosiah 22 Gideon proposes a plan to the king to “2 deliver themselves out of bondage (cutting down) by the sword.” In Alma 1 Gideon contends with Nehor who “9 drew his sword and began to smite him (cut him)… therefore Gideon was slain (cut down) by the sword.” But that’s not it. Alma 2 “1 Amlici… he being after the order of the man that slew (cut down) Gideon by the sword” gathers an army and the “18 Nephites… slew (cut down) the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them.” We read the named that area “20 the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain (cut down) by the hand of Nehor with the sword.” Finally every time this land is mentioned “slaying “ is also mentioned Alma 6 “7 Alma… went over upon the east of the river Sidon, into the valley of Gideon, there having been a city built, which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley that was called Gideon, being called after the man who was slain (cut down) by the hand of Nehor with the sword.” This just scratches the surface. I counted the amount of times “slay” is used in its various forms in Gideon’s chapters Mosiah 19 = 9, 20 = 5, Alma 1 = 3, 2 = 16 and slay or similar words are used in Mosiah 22 and Alma 6.
Thank you for likening this historical record to our times the impules of Gadianton seem all around. I'm taking away the thought, "If we can talk about anything respectfully, we can manage anything." That offers optimism.
President Nelson has asked us to increase our capacity to receive personal revelation. I feel he is inviting us to become more and more comfortable feeling the fire of the Holy Ghost. Especially as we prepare for being in the presence of the Savior, and eventually in the presence of the Father
Great thought! thanks for sharing.
Another fantastic lesson! Talked to you a lot today Taylor 😂 , but I always listen to the podcast on Saturday so have to say thanks again haha
You're the best!
Taylor! I recently uncovered some insights from my personal study that I am extremely excited about. You’re my guy so I was super excited to share it with you.
So one of my favorite scripture individuals is Gideon. He pops up over and over doing incredible things without all the praise and glory. It occurred to me to learn the meaning of his name (the name being the message of course😜) .
I found “Gideon” (Hebrew: גדעון) means “one who cuts down,” "feller," "hewer," “cutter off,” or even "cut off hand.” This made a lot of sense because we are first introduced to Gideon attempting to “cut down” King Noah and finally as he is “cut down” by Nehor.
So I went back to study every reference of Gideon in the BoM. I was absolutely shocked at what I found. A synonym of to “cut down” or “hew down” is to “slay” or “slay with the sword.” This word or phrase is repeated over and over and over in association with Gideon and his narrative. I think we are seeing a Hebraic wordplay on his name. The evidence is stark.
Every time his name is used the word “slay” is also used in some form in the exact same verse or the previous/subsequent verse. In all these cases you could replace “slay” with “cut down.”
First Gideon is introduced “he drew his sword, and swore in his wrath that he would slay (cut down) the king” (Mosiah 19:4), but the Laminites attack “and began to slay them (cut them down)” (Mosiah 19:10).
There are more references to Gideon as the Lamanites “slay” woman and children and later when the people “slay” King Noah.
Gideon appears again in chapter 20 in order to prevent the Lamanites from “slaying” the people because of the wicked priests’ kidnappings.
In Mosiah 22 Gideon proposes a plan to the king to “2 deliver themselves out of bondage (cutting down) by the sword.”
In Alma 1 Gideon contends with Nehor who “9 drew his sword and began to smite him (cut him)… therefore Gideon was slain (cut down) by the sword.”
But that’s not it. Alma 2 “1 Amlici… he being after the order of the man that slew (cut down) Gideon by the sword” gathers an army and the “18 Nephites… slew (cut down) the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them.”
We read the named that area
“20 the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain (cut down) by the hand of Nehor with the sword.”
Finally every time this land is mentioned “slaying “ is also mentioned
Alma 6 “7 Alma… went over upon the east of the river Sidon, into the valley of Gideon, there having been a city built, which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley that was called Gideon, being called after the man who was slain (cut down) by the hand of Nehor with the sword.”
This just scratches the surface. I counted the amount of times “slay” is used in its various forms in Gideon’s chapters Mosiah 19 = 9, 20 = 5, Alma 1 = 3, 2 = 16 and slay or similar words are used in Mosiah 22 and Alma 6.
Also I think there is precedent; according to strongs bible hub the Hebrew word “qatal” can mean both “to slay” and “to cut.”
Boom! You've discovered something potentially significant!! Fascinating.
Thank you. Thanks for reminding me that I am surrounded by this circle of love like a fire in my life
:)
Thank you for likening this historical record to our times the impules of Gadianton seem all around. I'm taking away the thought, "If we can talk about anything respectfully, we can manage anything." That offers optimism.
Yep!
Thank you for a brilliant presentation Brethren ❤
You are the best!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights! I love your lessons!
Glad you like them!