2 Nephi 14
People in this chapter
Nephi told us why he copies Isaiah: my soul delighteth in his words... for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him (2 Nephi 11:2). He wanted his people to liken them unto you and unto all men (2 Nephi 11:8), and he promised that these words would be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them (2 Nephi 25:8).
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
2 Nephi 14:1Seven Women Shall Take Hold of One Man
1And in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach.
The previous chapter warned that Jerusalem's men would fall by the sword. So few would be left that seven women would beg one man to marry them. Pride ends in loss.
2 Nephi 14:2-4The Branch of the Lord
2In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious; the fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them that are escaped of Israel.
The good things of this verse are for them that are escaped of Israel, the survivors. Lehi's family was one of those escaped branches.
3And it shall come to pass, they that are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem shall be called holy, every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem— 4When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning.
Those left in Zion shall be called holy. Their names are written among the living, recorded by the Lord.
The Lord washes Zion clean by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning. Nephi later teaches of a baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
2 Nephi 14:5-6A Cloud by Day and a Flaming Fire by Night
5And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence.
The cloud and fire that led Israel out of Egypt rested over one tabernacle. Isaiah promises it over every dwelling-place in Zion: every home.
6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain.
Zion will be a place of refuge and shelter from storm. The Lord used nearly the same words for the stakes of Zion in our day.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- ZionExplains how Latter-day Saints use the word Zion for the pure in heart, for gathering places, and for the work of building it up in hearts and homes, which is the setting for this chapter's promise of shelter.
- ZionTraces the word from the hill of Jerusalem to the city of Enoch and the latter-day Zion, useful for reading they that are left in Zion in verse 3 on more than one level.
- What Vision Guides Nephi’s Choice of Isaiah Chapters?Argues that Nephi picked his Isaiah passages to match the outline of his own vision: Christ's coming, Israel's scattering, the latter-day Gentiles, and Israel's restoration, which this chapter's cleansed Zion anticipates.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Seven Women Shall Take Hold of One Man
- 2 Nephi 13:25-26Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war.The warning this verse completes.
- Isaiah 4:1In that day seven women shall take hold of one man.The Bible text of this verse.
- Mosiah 5:8I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ.
- Acts 4:12There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The Branch of the Lord
- Jeremiah 23:5I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper.
- 2 Nephi 21:1There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
- 2 Nephi 31:17Then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
- Malachi 3:2-3For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap.
- Revelation 20:12Another book was opened, which is the book of life.
A Cloud by Day and a Flaming Fire by Night
- Exodus 13:21The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud... and by night in a pillar of fire.
- D&C 115:5-6That the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm.
- D&C 87:8Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.
- Helaman 5:12When all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you.
- Isaiah 25:4A refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat.