Isaiah repeats “roaring” but transfers it from the lions to the sea. The lion connoted an army’s power, while this image connotes its vastness. The NIV translation strengthens Ludlow’s suggestion that the darkness may have been caused by smoke from burning cities: “And if one looks at the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be darkened by the clouds.”
Likening: This chapter has multiple applications to the early Nephites. The parable of the vineyard was originally discussing the care of the Lord for a wayward Judah. Nephi has seen that his people will be similarly (and more disastrously) wayward. Isaiah condemned social inequalities, and social egalitarianism is the ideal of Nephite society. Finally, the wrath of the Lord destroys the wicked. Nephi has foreseen this fate for his people.
Text: The chapter ends here in the 1830 edition.