“Wo Unto the Murderer”

Brant Gardner

Verses 35 through 37 recall specifics of the decalogue. Specifically interesting is Jacob's injunction against the murderer, which is a better reading of the commandment that the simple "thou shalt not kill (Ex. 20:3). Even in that case, "thou shalt not murder" would be a better translation.

Anthropological information: In the Mesoamerican setting most probably for the Book of Mormon, Jacob's injunction against idolatry in verse 37 is not an idle repetition of the decalogue's injunction. Idolatry would be around the Nephites in the other cultures, and if there were other new people in with the Nephites at this time, they would have brought ideas about idols with them. These "wo" statements should be seen as directed specifically at Jacob's audience.

In such a context we might also see the context for the injunction against murder. The Nephites have already had skirmishes with the Lamanites, and the distinction between murder for hate, and killing to defend one's homes would be a necessary distinction for them. The later discussion of the multiple wives of the Nephites might be presaged in this reiteration of the prohibition of adultery.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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