Symbolism: This verse offers the hope of future deliverance, based on the return of the tenth. Gileadi translates this passage as: “And while yet a tenth of the people remain in it, or return, they shall be burned.” The NIV reads: “And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste.” Apparently, KJV/Nephi “return” is better translated as “remains.” Thus, it does not mean that a remnant will return to the homeland in the future but rather that the surviving tenth will also suffer “burning.” This interpretation matches the known history of the northern kingdom, for none “returned” after their dispersal to Assyria.
The “tenth” that remains is also symbolic. It represents a tithe who remain after the rest are carried off. Perhaps their “burning” is related to the poetic burning of 2 Nephi 15:24—a fire, not of destruction, but of renewal and purification. The next phrases express hope, despite this scene of utter destruction.
The last sentence in verse 13 is also clearer in other translations. Gileadi’s translation reads: “But like the terebinth or the oak when it is felled, whose stump remains alive, so shall the holy offspring be what is left standing.”
The “terebinth or oak” are attempts to designate the same botanical species:
It is unfortunate that the word for this tree is translated in so many different ways. For example, the tree under which King Saul was buried (1 Chr. 10:12) is termed “the great tree” (NIV), “oak” (KJV and NASB), and “terebinth” (JND). Of these three terms, terebinth is the more accurate as one of the species of pistacia, although a species that does not occur in the Middle East, is frequently called terebinth. In 1 Chronicles 14:14, the same tree is called “balsam” (NIV), and “mulberry” (KJV and JND). The tree in which Absalom caught his head, not his hair as is often misquoted, (2 Sam. 18:9), is a “large oak” (NIV), “great oak” (KJV), and “great terebinth” (JND). Balsam may be used as a name because of a resin extracted from the tree. Several plants with a fragrant resin are referred to as balsam. Balsam, oak, mulberry, and terebinth are not even superficially similar and are unrelated.
So what is a terebinth or, more correctly, pistacia? Two species occur in the Middle East, the Atlantic pistacia, Pistacia atlantica and the Palestine pistacia, P. palaestina. Atlantic pistacia is the larger of the two and therefore assumed to be the one referred to in the Scriptures although it is not possible to precisely label the species. When undisturbed (a rare occurrence in the Middle East) the trees reach a very large size and can live up to one thousand years. The Atlantic pistacia is recorded as the largest tree in Israel in recent history. Pistacia develops a very deep and extensive root system and therefore remains green even in years of drought. It often sprouts from the stump after being cut, as noted in Isaiah 6:13.
The specific mention of a stump is therefore part of the hopeful image. Even though the tree might be cut down, as Judah would be, there would be a remnant that could regenerate. This concept led to a late gloss on this text that followed the description of the stump, saying, “Its stump is the holy seed.” Thus, Yahweh reassures Isaiah that, despite this terrible destruction, a small remnant will be faithful. The ultimate redemption of Israel is the clear message.
Likening: This chapter describes God in his temple, easily applicable to the Nephites who built a temple in their city. Additionally, Isaiah speaks of a remnant of the destruction of the people. This is an important theme in Nephi and indeed of Mormon, who is writing to that remnant of his people that they might “return” to Yahweh.
Text: The chapter does not end here in the 1830 edition.