“His Word Shall Hiss Forth from Generation to Generation”

Alan C. Miner

Richardson, Richardson and Bentley note that the Bible makes several references to the words hiss and hissing (1 Kings 9:8; 2 Chronicles 29:8; Jeremiah 19:8; 25:9, 18; 50:13; 51:37; Lamentations 2:16). Many readers of the Bible have probably wondered about the meaning of the word. James Strong defines its Hebrew equivalents Sharaq and Sheriqqah as having to do with "a call or scorn," or "a derision." (See "Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary" in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, entry nos. 8319 and 8322.)

The Book of Mormon strengthens its authenticity by making use of the word hiss some eight times. Consistent with the Hebrew meaning, it is used as "a call" when the Lord hisses (2 Nephi 17:8; 29:2; and Moroni 10:28), and it is used "in scorn" where it mentions that Israel will become a "hiss and a by-word" (1 Nephi 19:14; 3 Nephi 16:9). [Allen H. Richardson, David E. Richardson and Anthony E. Bentley, 1000 Evidences for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Part Two-A Voice from the Dust: 500 Evidences in Support of the Book of Mormon, p. 269]

Note* Are all these references from Isaiah quotations or prophecies? If so, what does this say about Moroni 10:28? [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]

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

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