“Hosanna! Blessed Be the Name of the Most High God!”

Brant Gardner

This event should be read as a summary, rather than a literal description, whose purpose is to convey the effect of this encounter. It is doubtful that the entire multitude would have approached the Messiah individually, touched his wounds, waited politely for all others to do the same, and only then decided to proclaim him as the Messiah and fall to the ground in worship. All of the people did worship the Messiah. All had witnessed that he was the dying and resurrected God who had been prophesied. All did bless the name of the Most High God. But it probably happened as each person recognized the stunning reality of the Messiah’s presence, not as a mass, single event. Nephi accurately shows that everyone present worshipped the Messiah but has altered the time sequence to emphasize the true message.

Even though the people’s God is standing among them, they give glory to the Most High God, who is still in heaven. (See commentary accompanying 3 Nephi 11:6–7.)

Translation: “Hosanna” is Hebrew meaning “save we pray.” Joseph Smith would have known of this term from the Bible. Certainly the Nephites shouted something worshipful, but it seems doubtful that they spoke Hebrew this long after their departure from Jerusalem. This word should be seen as part of the translation process, not as evidence of an underlying Hebrew language on the plates.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 5

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