Zerahemnah has picked up on the significance of the last phrase in verse 6, where Moroni says: “but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us.” Zerahemnah is willing to surrender, but not to swear that they will no longer come against the Nephites in war. Note the importance of honor here. Moroni has set a condition for the Lamanites’ lives. They are willing to accept defeat, but they are not willing to sear an oath that they will no longer come against the Nephites. Zerahemnah attempts to separate the two promises. He wants to surrender, but not accept Moroni’s second condition.