KnoWhy #186 - Why Did Samuel Say the Lord “Hated” the Lamanites? (Helaman 15:4)

During Samuel’s prophetic warning to the Nephites, he declared that the Lamanites were a people whom the Lord “hath hated.” While modern readers may find this language to be unusually harsh, in the ancient world the terms “love” and “hate” had less to do with emotion and more to do with a vassal’s covenantal relationship with a lord. Those who violated the covenant and were unfaithful to their Lord were described as “hated,” and those who were within the covenant and faithful were “loved.” When read in this context, Samuel’s statement is more understandable and consistently represents God’s loving character and personality.