Source:Rediscovering the Book of Mormon:Ch:8:11:Hebraisms:Comparison

Hebrew influence on Book of Mormon text: Comparison

Hebrew influence on Book of Mormon text: Comparison

Comparison in English is usually expressed in this way: a certain thing is more X than a second thing, or a certain thing is Xer than a second thing. The words more and than or the suffix -er express the comparison. In Hebrew, comparison is expressed by a word that is translated as from in this way: a certain thing is X from< a second thing. The Book of Mormon frequently uses the word above in comparisons in a way that is more like the Hebrew use of from than the English use of more or -er, apparently reflecting a Hebrew influence.

"a land which is choice above all other lands" (1 Nephi 2:20; see 13:30)
"the tree which is precious above all" (1 Nephi 11:9; see 15:36)
"most abominable above all sins" (Alma 39:5)
"the fruit . . . which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure" (Alma 32:42)[1]

Notes

  1. John A. Tvedtnes, "The Hebrew Background of the Book of Mormon," in Rediscovering the Book of Mormon, edited by John L. Sorenson and Melvin J. Thorne (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Co.; Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1991), Chapter 8.