What is a possible meaning of the name Zarahemla?

Thomas R. Valletta

“The name Zarahemla probably derives from the Hebrew zera‘-hemla h, which has been variously translated as ‘seed of compassion’ or ‘child of grace, pity, or compassion.’ It may be that the Mulekite leader was given that name because his ancestor had been rescued when the other sons of King Zedekiah were slain during the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. To subsequent Nephite generations, it may even have suggested the deliverance of their own ancestors from Jerusalem prior to its destruction or the anticipation of Christ’s coming” (Ricks and Tvedtnes, “Hebrew Origin of Some Book of Mormon Place Names,” 259).

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