“The Remnant of Israel Shall Stay Upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel”

Monte S. Nyman

Having prophesied the fate of Assyria, Isaiah now comes back to the promise of a remnant of Israel (message of hope). Although she will be scattered among the Gentiles, and will be dependent upon them, Israel will once again rely on the Holy One of Israel in truth and will return. Paul quotes Isaiah 10:22 (with other prophecies) to show the Romans, who were Gentiles, that the righteous of Israel will be saved as well as the Gentiles who “have attained to righteousness” (Romans 9:27–30). The expression “consumption decreed” (v. 22) is translated “destruction” (NIV) or “full end” (RSV) suggesting that Israel will be no longer a people, but will “overflow with righteousness.” This seems to refer back to the idea that the remnant that will return will have returned to Christ and his gospel. The King James text has the clause in “the midst of” all the land (v. 23) that is not in the Book of Mormon. This clause may have meant that Zion was to be established in the midst, or “center place” of the land (D&C 57:3) as was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Zion’s establishment was certainly understood by the ancient prophets, and the translators somehow knew this and included it in the translation. If this assumption is correct, the verse is still speaking of the remnant that will return.

Book of Mormon Commentary: I Nephi Wrote This Record

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