Zenos Explained
According to the Book of Mormon, Zenos [1] was an old world prophet whose pre-Christian era writings were recorded upon the plates of brass. Zenos is quoted or paraphrased a number of times by writers in the Book of Mormon, including Nephi,[2] Jacob,[3] Alma, son of Alma,[4] Nephi, son of Helaman,[5] Samuel the Lamanite,[6] and Mormon.[7]
The book of Mormon says that Zenos wrote on a variety of topics, including the signs to accompany the death of the Messiah, the Atonement of Christ, and the scattering and gathering of Israel. According to one Book of Mormon writer, Zenos was killed as a result of his preaching.[5]
Dead Sea Scrolls connection
Outside of the Book of Mormon, there is no direct evidence that Zenos existed. However, some LDS apologists argue that Zenos' Book of Mormon hymn of thanksgiving and praise, which elaborates upon prayer, worship, and mercy, compares favorably in style and content with Hymn H (or 8) and Hymn J (or 10) of the Thanksgiving Hymns of the Dead Sea Scrolls.[8]
The scrolls state that the Teacher of Righteousness was descended from Zadok, which some LDS scholars have argued might have been a transcribed or altered version of the name Zenock, another prophet referenced only in the Book of Mormon.[9] Non-LDS scholars identify this Zadok as the priest who anointed Solomon (1 Kings 1:39, 2:35) and whose dynasty officiated in the office of High Priest around 1,000-700 BC.[10] Thus, being descended from Zadok more likely meant that the Teacher was a member of, loyal to, or teacher of doctrines espoused by this Zadok.
See also
References
- Adamson . Grant . Winter 2021 . Joseph Smith, Thomas Paine, and Matthew 27:51b–53 . Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought . 54 . 4 . 1–33 . 10.5406/15549399.54.4.001.
- Book: Givens, Terryl . Wrestling the Angel: The Foundations of Mormon Thought: Cosmos, God, Humanity . Oxford University Press . 2015 . 9780199794928 . en.
- Hardy . Heather . Fall 2011 . Alma's Experiment in Faith: A Broader Context . Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought . 44 . 3 . 67–94 . 10.5406/dialjmormthou.44.3.0067.
- Hardy . Heather . 2014 . 'Saving Christianity': The Nephite Fulfillment of Jesus's Eschatological Prophecies . Journal of Book of Mormon Studies . 23 . 22–55 . 10.5406/jbookmormstud2.23.2014.0022. 171901639 .
- Book: Jackson, Kent P. . Encyclopedia of Mormonism . Macmillan . 1992 . Ludlow . Daniel H. . 1623–1624 . en . Zenos.
- Book: Lambert, L. Gary . Encyclopedia of Mormonism . Macmillan . 1992 . Ludlow . Daniel H. . 31–32 . Allegory of Zenos.
- Book: Skousen, Royal . Analysis of Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon, Part One: Title Page, Witness Statements, 1 Nephi 1–2 Nephi 10 . FARMS . 2004 . 978-0-934893-07-7 . en . 2004010131 .
- van Dyk . Gerrit . 2023 . Poetry in and about the Book of Mormon: A Review of Literature . Journal of Book of Mormon Studies . 32 . 138–165 . 10.5406/23744774.32.09. 260644323 .
Notes and References
- http://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/pronunciation?lang=eng churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide"
- http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/1_ne/19/10,12,16#10 1 Nephi 19:10, 12, 16
- http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/jacob/5/ Jacob 5
- http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/alma/33/3,13,15#3 Alma 33:3, 13, 15
- http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/hel/8/19#19 Helaman 8:19
- http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/hel/15/11#11 Helaman 15:11
- http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/3_ne/10/16#16 3 Nephi 10:6
- Web site: Zenos - Encyclopedia of Mormonism . eom.byu.edu . Encyclopedia of Mormonism . 2 April 2024.
- Book: Nibley, Hugh . Hugh Nibley
. http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1101&index=13 . Chapter 10: The Dead Sea Scrolls: Some Questions and Answers . Hugh Nibley . 1986 . John W. . Welch . John W. Welch . Gary P. . Gillum . Gary P. Gillum . Don E. . Norton . Old Testament and Related Studies . Collected Works of Hugh Nibley . Salt Lake City, Utah . Deseret Book. 0875790321 . 85027544 . 12908841.
- See generally: Book: Hunt, Alice . Missing Priests: the Zadokites in Tradition and History . New York . T & T Clark International . 2006 . 0567594548 . 2006022070 . 741691025 .