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"Possess the Land in Peace": Zeniff's Ironic Wordplay on Shilom

Title"Possess the Land in Peace": Zeniff's Ironic Wordplay on Shilom
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsBowen, Matthew L.
JournalInterpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture
Volume28
Pagination115-120
KeywordsIrony; Shilom (Polity); Toponym; Wordplay; Zeniff
Abstract

The toponym Shilom likely derives from the Semitic/Hebrew root š-l-m, whence also the similar-sounding word šālôm, “peace,” derives. The first mention of the toponym Shilom in Zeniff’s record — an older account than the surrounding material and an autobiography — occurs in Mosiah 9:6 in parallel with Zeniff’s mention of his intention to “possess the land in peace” (Mosiah 9:5). The language and text structure of Mosiah 9:5‒6 thus suggest a deliberate wordplay on Shilom in terms of šālôm. Zeniff uses the name Shilom as a point of irony throughout his brief royal record to emphasize a tenuous and often absent peace between his people and the Lamanites.

URLhttps://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/possess-the-land-in-peace-zeniffs-ironic-wordplay-on-shilom/

Scripture Reference

Mosiah 9:5
Mosiah 9:6