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KnoWhy #51 - Why Does Nephi Quote a Temple Psalm while Commenting on Isaiah? (2 Nephi 25:16)

TitleKnoWhy #51 - Why Does Nephi Quote a Temple Psalm while Commenting on Isaiah? (2 Nephi 25:16)
Publication TypeKnoWhy
Year of Publication2016
Corporate AuthorsBook of Mormon Central Staff
PublisherBook of Mormon Central
Place PublishedSpringville, UT
KeywordsIsaiah (Prophet); Nephi (Son of Lehi); Psalm; Temple; Worthiness
Abstract

2 Nephi 25:16 contains a distinctive phrase, “with pure hearts and clean hands,” which is almost certainly a quote from Psalm 24, a psalm about entering the Jerusalem Temple and seeing the face of the God of Israel. If Nephi was consciously pointing his audience to a biblical psalm regarding temple entry and seeing the face of Jehovah, why do so here, in his commentary on Isaiah? What does entering the temple have to do with Nephi’s point about the Jews recognizing the Messiah? Just as Isaiah’s prophetic witness in this part of the Book of Mormon began by inviting all people to come to the temple of the Lord, Nephi’s subsequent prophecy and commentary began with a call for the Jews and all other people to be worthy to enter the temple, having “pure hearts and clean hands,” so that they will be able to recognize their Savior and be gathered to him in the latter days.

URLhttp://www.knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/why-does-nephi-quote-a-temple-psalm-while-commenting-on-isaiah
Citation Key1494

Scripture Reference

2 Nephi 25:16
Psalms 24