“Kish”

Alan C. Miner

According to Hugh Nibley, to write a history of what could have happened at the very beginning of recorded history would have been as far beyond the scope of any scholar living in 1830 as the construction of an atom bomb would have been . . . Yet as we look at Jaredite names, it is not surprising that three of the oldest cities in the world, (one of them traditionally described as the first city in the world after the flood) all bear the good Jaredite name of "Kish" (see Ether 10:17). [Hugh Nibley, The World of the Jaredites, pp. 256, 258]

According to Verneil Simmons, "Kish" was the name of an ancient Sumerian city somewhat north of the city of Ur in southern Mesopotamia. [Verneil W. Simmons, Peoples, Places and Prophecies, p. 235]

Kish Reigned in Coroms Stead

Ether 10:17 says that "Kish reigned in [Corom's] stead." Although Kish is not specifically mentioned as Corom's son, there are some clues in the record that seem to imply as much Corom. First we find that Corom "begat many sons and daughters"; secondly, Corom did "pass away after he had seen many days"; and then thirdly, "Kish reigned in his stead." These actions follow the Jaredite kingship tradition of bestowing the royal powers upon the youngest son. In addition to these clues, the genealogy of Ether back to Jared, which is found in Ether 1:6-33, says that "Kish was the son of Corom" (Ether 1:19). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]

Ether 10:17 Kish ([Illustration]): Map #1, Ancient Cities of Mesopotamia. [Verneil W. Simmons, Peoples, Places and Prophecies, p. 22]

Kish Reigned in Coroms Stead

Ether 10:17 says that "Kish reigned in [Corom's] stead." Although Kish is not specifically mentioned as Corom's son, there are some clues in the record that seem to imply as much Corom. First we find that Corom "begat many sons and daughters"; secondly, Corom did "pass away after he had seen many days"; and then thirdly, "Kish reigned in his stead." These actions follow the Jaredite kingship tradition of bestowing the royal powers upon the youngest son. In addition to these clues, the genealogy of Ether back to Jared, which is found in Ether 1:6-33, says that "Kish was the son of Corom" (Ether 1:19). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]

Ether 10:17 Kish ([Illustration]): Map #1, Ancient Cities of Mesopotamia. [Verneil W. Simmons, Peoples, Places and Prophecies, p. 22]

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

References