Nephi of Jerusalem and Krt of Mittani

[Olavarria]

Here is the self description of Nephi, the first king of the Nephites and his weeping to God:

1 Nephi 15:5

And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.

2 Nephi 33:3

But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

Like Hebrew, Ugaritic was a Northwest Semetic language that was once used in ancient Syria. Ugaritic tablets tell us the Epic of King Kret. El gives Kret a blessing because of a tearful prayer:

(1.14, col. 1, lines 21-35)

Kret sees his progeny,sees his progeny ruined,greatly depleted of his power. And in its totality a family has died off,and in its entirety the succession.

He enters his room, he weeps.While uttering [w]ords, he sheds tears.His tears are poured like sheqels on the ground,like 1/5-sheqels on the bed.

As he cries, he falls asleep;while he sheds tearsâ??sleep.Sleep overcomes him;he lies in sleep and is startled.

(1.14, col. 1, lines 35-43)

And in his dream, El descends,in his vision, the Father of Humanity. And he draws close, asking Kret,"Who is Kret that he should cry the Good One, the Lad of El,that he should shed tears?

[Joseph Antley]

Why is this significant? Isn't it more probable that Nephi was sad and cried, and coincidentally the Epic of Kret has Kret being sad and crying? What relationship is trying to be drawn between the two? That Nephi was following the unique Near Eastern tradition of being sad and crying?

[Olavarria]

Why is this significant? Isn't it more probable that Nephi was sad and cried, and coincidentally the Epic of Kret has Kret being sad and crying? What relationship is trying to be drawn between the two? That Nephi was following the unique Near Eastern tradition of being sad and crying?

Dunno. I report, you decide.

[Sevenbak]

Why is this significant? Isn't it more probable that Nephi was sad and cried, and coincidentally the Epic of Kret has Kret being sad and crying? What relationship is trying to be drawn between the two? That Nephi was following the unique Near Eastern tradition of being sad and crying?

And I really dislike cartoon interpretations of the BOM, especially done in some form of anime style.

[Olavarria]

Why is this significant? Isn't it more probable that Nephi was sad and cried, and coincidentally the Epic of Kret has Kret being sad and crying? What relationship is trying to be drawn between the two? That Nephi was following the unique Near Eastern tradition of being sad and crying?

Two Kings, from the ancient near east, crying to God, over the destruction of their posterity.

i report, you decide.

[Doctor Steuss]

Two Kings, from the ancient near east, crying to God, over the destruction of their posterity.

i report, you decide.

My decision:

It seems like it would be more noteworthy if someone didnâ??t cry (to G-d, or otherwise) over the destruction of their posterity.

[volgadon]

The connection with kingship is weak, BUT being emotional and crying is and was fairly acceptable in Middle Eastern males.

[Joseph Antley]

The connection with kingship is weak, BUT being emotional and crying is and was fairly acceptable in Middle Eastern males.

It's also acceptable in American males, under the circumstances described.

[Ron Beron]

Here is the self description of Nephi, the first king of the Nephites and his weeping to God:

Well, I for one see the resemblance between Nephi and David.

The connection with kingship is weak, BUT being emotional and crying is and was fairly acceptable in Middle Eastern males.

The same is true in Asian nobility. Crying in the sleeve is a common metaphor among the Chinese and Japanese.

[Ron Beron]

Just as a side note, there is an interesting article in Collins, Terence. "Physiology of tears in the Old Testament." Catholic Biblical Quarterly 33, no. 1 (January 1971): 18-38. which discusses the role of various euphemisms of weeping in the OT. The one that comes to mind is "My liver is poured out on the ground" found in Lam 2:11. The liver being the source of emotions and life.

[J Green]

The tears on the pillow theme is also fairly common in the Psalms. In fact, I've noticed a number of common night-time theophanies in both the Psalms and the Book of Mormon that include visitations, song, tears, etc. I put down a few thoughts on it on my blog here. I don't think that there is necessarily a direct link but rather a common world view and culture of faith and how faith is manifested. On the other hand, the family was influenced by the Psalms, and Nephi articulates his own feelings in the form of a Psalm, so there could be some connection.