2 Nephi 19:1

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 19:1

1 Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations.

Quotes for discussion

Ancient manuscripts of the Bible were not divided into chapters and verses. That is a rather recent thing (probably only 700 years ago). With regard to the scriptures, we have become accustomed to thinking everything has to be double-columned, with numbered chapters and verses. Modern organization makes finding specific references more convenient, but if we only see the smaller segments, we lose something of the larger concepts that are intended. If our scriptures weren’t divided into chapters and verses and double columns, it would be much harder to find particular phrases, but the larger meaning might be detected more easily than now.

Robert J. Matthews, See “How to Read Isaiah and Enjoy it!” 210

“Nevertheless”

We don’t normally begin a sentence with the word “nevertheless,” unless, of course, we are adding some more information to a previous thought, which is exactly what is happening here. The last verse of the previous chapter speaks of “darkness” and “dimness,” and this verse adds that their problems could be more severe the next time around.

John Bytheway, Isaiah for Airheads, p. 121

The Lands of Zebulun and Naphtali

These are the names of two of the sons of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), and their mention in this verse refers to the lands given to them and their posterity after they were led out of Egyptian bondage. Because of their strategic locations, these lands were often “afflicted” and “vexed” as the first to be attacked in times of war. Generals wanted to conquer this area because of the convergence of major highways, including the Way of the Sea, the Patriarch’s Way, and the King’s Way. Thus, the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali in time of war often represented “the front.”

Ibid, p. 121-122

Galilee of the Nations

The northern part of Palestine, allotted to Zebulon and Naphtali and bordering on Phoenicia and Syria, was known as the “Galilee of the Nations,” or, Gentiles, because of its mixed population. The manners and customs of the people, and even the dialect spoken became affected by foreign settlers.

George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, ed. Philip C. Reynolds, 7 vols. [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1955-1961], 1:348

7

When the land of Canaan was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali lay to the west of the Sea of Galilee and formed the northern border of Israel next to the gentile nations of the Galilee….The land of Naphtali and Zebulun was the first area captured by the Assyrians in the time of Isaiah (see 2 Kgs. 15:29). The phrase “afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations”…probably has reference to a later captivity by Assyria….The blessing which was to have come to this area, but which had been lost by Israel’s wickedness and subsequent subjection by Assyria, would come through the “light” of Christ as he ministered unto Judah in Galilee, as noted in Matthew.

Monte S. Nyman, Great Are the Words of Isaiah [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980], 67