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Source:Rediscovering the Book of Mormon:Ch:8:11:Hebraisms:Comparison
Hebrew influence on Book of Mormon text: Comparison
Hebrew influence on Book of Mormon text: Comparison
Comparison in English is usually expressed in this way: a certain thing is more X than a second thing, or a certain thing is Xer than a second thing. The words more and than or the suffix -er express the comparison. In Hebrew, comparison is expressed by a word that is translated as from in this way: a certain thing is X from< a second thing. The Book of Mormon frequently uses the word above in comparisons in a way that is more like the Hebrew use of from than the English use of more or -er, apparently reflecting a Hebrew influence.
- "a land which is choice above all other lands" (1 Nephi 2:20; see 13:30)
- "the tree which is precious above all" (1 Nephi 11:9; see 15:36)
- "most abominable above all sins" (Alma 39:5)
- "the fruit . . . which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure" (Alma 32:42)[1]
Notes
- ↑ John A. Tvedtnes, "The Hebrew Background of the Book of Mormon," in Rediscovering the Book of Mormon, edited by John L. Sorenson and Melvin J. Thorne (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Co.; Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1991), Chapter 8.