Translation: This verse is somewhat confusing because it suggests that fagots were used to strike Abinadi (the meaning of scourge). A fagot is a bundle of sticks, most typically referring to fuel for a fire. The possible meanings for this verse are:
- A bundle of sticks was used to strike Abinadi. This could dig into the skin, and therefore be a "scourge." This presupposes that the sticks were used rather than a whip, which is nowhere mentioned.
- The fagot was already lighted (being the purpose of the bundle) and the lighted bundle was used to torment Abinadi. This would seem to be a rather unusual usage for the bundle of sticks. "Scourge" in this context might simply mean that pain was inflicted. If, of course the lighted bundle struck Abinadi, the original idea of scourging would still be valid.
- The fagots refer to the fire, and it is the fire that does the "scourging." This reading might be supported by the idea that the scourging was "even unto death," but Abinadi is clearly not dead in the next verse. This would indicate that the fire caused the death, and then filled in the details later.
- Joseph may have simply used the wrong word in translation.
