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

Notes and References

  1. http://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/pronunciation?lang=eng churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide"
  2. http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/1_ne/19/10,12,16#10 1 Nephi 19:10, 12, 16
  3. http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/jacob/5/ Jacob 5
  4. http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/alma/33/3,13,15#3 Alma 33:3, 13, 15
  5. http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/hel/8/19#19 Helaman 8:19
  6. http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/hel/15/11#11 Helaman 15:11
  7. http://scriptures.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/3_ne/10/16#16 3 Nephi 10:6
  8. Web site: Zenos - Encyclopedia of Mormonism . eom.byu.edu . Encyclopedia of Mormonism . 2 April 2024.
  9. 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.

  10. See generally: Book: Hunt, Alice . Missing Priests: the Zadokites in Tradition and History . New York . T & T Clark International . 2006 . 0567594548 . 2006022070 . 741691025 .