halconero Posted June 11, 2014 Posted June 11, 2014 (edited) I was doing some random scripture study and stumbled upon an interesting article concerning the distinction between the Hebrew words "moshiah" and "mashiach." The latter is the Hebrew origin of the English "Messiah," meaning "the anointed one." This was the anticipated leader of the Israelites, who is seen as Jesus Christ in Christianity. The former means "saviour" and is commonly mistaken as a related term with the Messiah, though the two words have different roots. I was struck by the similarity to the name Mosiah in the Book of Mormon. We do not know much about the first Mosiah, but this is what the Book of Mormon has to say concerning him: Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness— 13 And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla. Mosiah goes on to unite the people of Zarahemla and the Nephite and translate a Jaredite record (not the book of Ether, but separate account stemming from Coriantumr). In essence, Mosiah both saved and strengthened the Nephite people. It is due to these actions and the meaning of the Hebrew "Moshiah" that I propose that Mosiah in the Book of Mormon was not originally a proper name, but a title given to this leader who led his people away from destruction and united them with a larger, stronger people, who he instructed in language and scripture. By acclaiming him their ruler, the Nephites would have recognized him as the "Saviour-King." Edited June 11, 2014 by halconero 2
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