“A Tumultuous Noise”

Brant Gardner

Yahweh’s army will participate in the great final battle between good and evil. Isaiah’s mention of “tumultuous noise” evokes an aspect of ancient warfare that has been literally drowned out by the noise of modern military weapons: war cries and shouts. In Blenkinsopp’s translation this noise becomes: “The sound of a rumbling on the mountains as of a vast horde.” That particular translation of a “rumbling on the mountains” associates the eschatological description with the early understanding of Yahweh as the divine warrior and storm god on his mountain, thundering.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

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