“Hem”

Alan C. Miner

According to Hugh Nibley, it is most interesting that the brother of Ammon (a Mulekite) actually bears the name of Hem (Mosiah 7:6). The chief governor of Egypt was "the high priest of Amon" (or Ammon), his title being in Egyptian neter hem tep -- "chief servant (Hem) of the God." Hem is an element in Egyptian proper names and means . . . "servant of God." [Hugh Nibley, Lehi in the Desert, F.A.R.M.S., p. 21]

“Amaleki, Helem, and Hem”

These men were sent as representatives of king Mosiah with Ammon to communicate with he remnants of Zeniff's original group who returned to the land of Nephi. Are these Jaredite-Mulekite names? Notice the "mimmation." Notice also that Ammon "was a descendant of Zarahemla" (Mosiah 7:3). What is going on here. Why does a Nephite king send Mulekite men to retrieve "Nephites" who have returned to inherit land in the land of Nephi? [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]

“Amaleki, Helem, and Hem”

According to Hugh Nibley, in Mosiah 7:6 we get these interesting names, "Amaleki, Helem, and Hem," who were sent as representatives of king Mosiah with Ammon to communicate with the remnants of Zeniff's original group who returned to the land of Nephi. The lexicon gives some references that are very interesting. First, the name Amaleki with a prophetic A. It's Aramaic from melekh. They all mean the same thing, the king, lord or ruler. The second name, Helem, . . . . it's an Aramaic name, halam, which means strong, good humored, close to one. Finally we come to the name Hem, which is interesting for two reasons. Of course, Hem is the first king of Egypt on the records; and [the name] also means warrior. It's not an uncommon name, meaning warrior chief. On the other hand . . . Ham means father-in-law in all Semitic languages. [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 2, p. 22]

Would the possible meaning of the names (titles?) of the representative group sent by king Mosiah (Ammon--Lord; Amaleki--Prophetic king or ruler; Helem--a strong close good friend; and Hem--warrior chief or father-in-law) give added validity and strength to their mission as they presented themselves to king Limhi? [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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