Verse 2 references a “branch.” The underlying Hebrew is semah, which Blenkinsopp renders “shoot.” This is the same term that was seen as having Messianic overtones as a reference to a descendant of the Davidic line (Jer. 23:5, 33:15–16; Ezek. 29:21). Here, however, it refers to Jerusalem.
Text: There was no 1830 chapter break between our current 2 Nephi 13:26 and 2 Nephi 14:1. In fact, this paragraph serves as a transition between themes, with verse 1 summarizing the preceding text while verse 2 announces the new theme of the glory of Yahweh’s judgment. Thus, although contained in the same paragraph, the hopeful tone of verse 2 is not dependent upon verse 1, which grimly summarizes Israel’s destruction. John Gilbert, the printer who typeset the 1830 edition, added paragraphs and punctuation. They should not be considered as reflecting the text on the plates.