2 Nephi 19:3

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 19:3

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy—they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

Quotes for Discussion

In the Bible the first part of the verse reads, “Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy,” but Nephi excludes the word not. The version that Nephi is quoting makes the verse clearer, showing that Jesus Christ will bring gladness and joy.

Thomas R. Valletta, ed., Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, 117

Joy of the Harvest

In the Orient, the harvest time is always a time of great festivity. To the Jews of the Bible days, it was also a time of great joy….The law provided two feasts that were harvest festivals (Exod. 23:16). The first of these was called at one time The Feast of the Harvest….The second of these feasts was sometimes called The Feast of Ingathering, being held after all the grain, fru8it, wine, and oil had been gathered in…It was also called the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:39-43), because they dwelt in booths to remind them of the wilderness days of the past.

Fred H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands [Chicago: Moody Press, 1953], 136-37