“And and and and - Polysyndetonthe Excessive Use of the Conjunction and”

Alan C. Miner

Richardson, Richardson and Bentley note that the excessive use of the monotonous conjunction "and" in the Book of Mormon seems awkward and somewhat annoying to the western reader, however, it follows perfect Hebrew syntax. The word "and" often stands before each word (or phrase) in a series; possibly because there was no punctuation in the Hebrew language.

Notice the structure of 1 Nephi 2:4:

And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness.

And he left his house,

and the land of his inheritance,

and his gold,

and his silver,

and his precious things,

and took nothing with him, save it were his family,

and provisions,

and tents,

and departed into the wilderness.

Other uses of polysyndeton in the Book of Mormon are found in 2 Nephi 33:9; Enos 1:21; Alma 1:29; 7:27; 8:21-23; 9:21; Helaman 3:14; 3 Nephi 4:7; 11:19-20; 17:13-25; 4 Nephi 1:5-7; Mormon 8:37 and Ether 9:17-27. [Allen H. Richardson, David E. Richardson and Anthony E. Bentley, 1000 Evidences for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Part Two-A Voice from the Dust: 500 Evidences in Support of the Book of Mormon, p. 262]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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