1 Nephi 4 נפי א׳ פרק ד׳

Classical Biblical Hebrew translation, word by word with English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open 1 Nephi 4 in the interlinear reader for transliteration, roots and notes.

1. 1

   וָאֹמַרand I spakeאֶל־אַחַיunto my brethrenלֵאמֹרsayingנַעֲלֶהlet us go upנָאI pray youשֵׁנִיתagainיְרוּשָׁלָיְמָהunto Jerusalemוְנִהְיֶהand let us beנֶאֱמָנִיםfaithfulלִשְׁמֹרin keepingאֶת־מִצְוֹתthe commandments ofיְהוָהthe Lordכִּיforהִנֵּהbeholdחָזָקmightierהוּאis heמִכׇּל־הָאָרֶץthan all the earthוּמַדּוּעַthen whyלֹאnotיֶחֱזַקbe mightierמִלָּבָןthan Labanוַחֲמִשָּׁיוand his fiftyאַףyeaמֵרִבְבֹתָיו׃than his tens of thousands

   And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?

2. 2

   לָכֵןthereforeנַעֲלֶהlet us go upנָאI pray youוְנִתְחַזְּקָהlet us be strongכְּמֹשֶׁהlike unto Mosesכִּיforאָמַר־אָכֵןhe truly spakeאֶל־מֵיunto the waters ofיַם־סוּףthe Red Seaוַיֵּחָצוּand they dividedהֵנָּהhitherוָהֵנָּהand thitherוַיַּעַבְרוּand passed throughאֲבֹתֵינוּour fathersמִן־הַשְּׁבִיout of captivityבֶּחָרָבָהon dry groundוַיִּרְדְּפוּdid followחֵילוֹתthe armies ofפַּרְעֹהPharaohוַיִּטְבְּעוּand were drownedבְּמֵיin the waters ofיַם־סוּף׃the Red Sea

   Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea.

3. 3

   וְעַתָּהnowהִנֵּהbeholdיְדַעְתֶּםyou knowכִּיthatאֱמֶתtrueהַדָּבָרthe wordוְגַם־יְדַעְתֶּםand you also knowכִּיthatדִּבֶּרspakeאֲלֵיכֶםunto youמַלְאָךְan angelוְלָמָּהwhereforeלֹאnotתַאֲמִינוּyou believeנַעֲלֶהlet us go upכִּיforיָכוֹלis ableיְהוָהthe Lordלְהַצִּילֵנוּto deliver usכַּאֲבוֹתֵינוּeven as our fathersוּלְהַשְׁמִידand to destroyאֶת־לָבָןLabanכַּמִּצְרִים׃even as the Egyptians

   Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.

4. 4

   וַיְהִיand it happenedאַחֲרֵיthat whenדַבְּרִיI had spokenאֶת־הַדְּבָרִיםthe wordsהָאֵלֶּהtheseוְעוֹדָםand stillחָרָהburnedאַפָּםtheir angerוַיּוֹסִיפוּand did still continueלְהַלִּיןto murmurאַךְneverthelessהָלְכוּthey did followאַחֲרַיafter meעַד־אֲשֶׁרuntilבָּאנוּwe cameמִחוּץwithoutלְחוֹמֹתthe walls ofיְרוּשָׁלָיִם׃Jerusalem

   Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and did still continue to murmur; nevertheless they did follow me up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem.

5. 5

   וַיְהִיand it wasבַּלַּיְלָהin the nightוָאֹמֶרand I saidלָהֶםto themלְהֵחָבֵאto hide themselvesמִחוּץwithoutלַחוֹמוֹתthe wallsוַיְהִיand it happenedאַחֲרֵיafterהֵחָבְאָםthey had hidden themselvesוָאֶתְגַּנֵּבI creptאֲנִיIנֶפִיNephiהָעִירָהinto the cityוָאֵלֶךְand wentאֶל־בֵּיתtoward the house ofלָבָן׃Laban

   And it was by night; and I caused that they should hide themselves without the walls. And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban.

6. 6

   וַיַּנְחֵנִיand I was ledהָרוּחַby the Spiritוְלֹא־יָדַעְתִּיnot knowingמֵרֹאשׁbeforehandאֶת־אֲשֶׁרthat whichאֶעֱשֶׂה׃I should do

   And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

7. 7

   אַךְneverthelessהָלַכְתִּיI went forthוַיְהִיand it happenedבְּקׇרְבִיas I came nearאֶל־בֵּיתto the house ofלָבָןLabanוָאֵרֶאI sawאִישׁa manוְהִנֵּהand beholdנָפַלhe fellלָאָרֶץto the earthלְפָנַיbefore meכִּיforשָׁכַרhe was drunkמִיָּיִן׃with wine

   Nevertheless I went forth, and as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine.

8. 8

   וָאָבֹאand when I cameאֵלָיוunto himוָאֶמְצָאI foundכִּי־הוּאthat it wasלָבָן׃Laban

   And when I came to him I found that it was Laban.

9. 9

   וָאֵרֶאand I beheldאֶת־חַרְבּוֹhis swordוָאֶשְׁלְפָהּand I drew it forthמִתַּעְרָהּfrom the sheath thereofוְנִצָּבָהּand the hilt thereofזָהָבgoldטָהוֹרpureוּמַעֲשֶׂהָand the workmanship thereofטוֹבfineמְאֹדexceedinglyוָאֵרֶאand I sawכִּיthatלַהֲבָהּthe blade thereofפְּלָדוֹתsteelיָקָרpreciousמְאֹד׃exceedingly

   And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof; and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.

10. 10

    וַתְּצִיקֵנִיand I was constrainedהָרוּחַby the Spiritלַהֲרֹגthat I should killאֶת־לָבָןLabanוָאֹמַרbut I saidבְּלִבִּיin my heartמֵעוֹלָםneverלֹא־שָׁפַכְתִּיI have not shedדַּם־אָדָםthe blood of manוָאֶסּוֹגand I shrunkוָאֶחְפֹּץand I desiredלְבִלְתִּיI might notהׇרְגוֹ׃slay him

    And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him.

11. 11

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidהָרוּחַthe Spiritאֵלַיunto meשֵׁנִיתagainהִנֵּהbeholdנָתַןhath deliveredיְהוָהthe Lordאֹתוֹhimבְּיָדֶיךָinto your handsוְאַףyea, andיָדַעְתִּיI also knewכִּיthatבִקֵּשׁhe had soughtלָקַחַתto takeאֶת־נַפְשִׁיmine own lifeוְאַףyea, andלֹא־שָׁמַעhe hearkened notלְמִצְוֹתunto the commandments ofיְהוָהthe Lordוְגַםand alsoלָקַחhad taken awayאֶת־רְכוּשֵׁנוּ׃our property

    And the Spirit said unto me again: Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property.

12. 12

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidהָרוּחַthe Spiritאֵלַיunto meשֵׁנִיתagainהׇרְגֵהוּslay himכִּי־נָתַןfor hath deliveredיְהוָהthe Lordאֹתוֹhimבְּיָדֶיךָ׃into your hands

    And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;

13. 13

    הִנֵּהbeholdיָמִיתslayethיְהוָהthe Lordאֶת־הָרְשָׁעִיםthe wickedלְהָבִיאto bring forthמַחְשְׁבוֹתthe purposes ofצִדְקוֹHis righteousnessטוֹבit is betterכִּי־יֹאבַדthat should perishאִישׁa manאֶחָדoneמֵאֲשֶׁרthan thatתִדְעַךְshould dwindleוְתֹאבַדand perishאֻמָּהa nationבְּאֵיןwithoutאֱמוּנָה׃faith

    Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.

14. 14

    וְעַתָּהand nowכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenשָׁמַעְתִּיI heardאֲנִיIנֶפִיNephiאֶת־הַדְּבָרִיםthe wordsהָאֵלֶּהtheseוָאֶזְכֹּרI rememberedאֶת־דִּבְרֵיthe words ofיְהוָהthe LordאֲשֶׁרwhichאָמַרHe spakeאֵלַיunto meבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessלֵאמֹרsayingוְהָיָהthatאִם־יִשְׁמְרוּinasmuch as shall keepזַרְעֲךָyour seedאֶת־מִצְוֹתַיMy commandmentsוְצָלְחוּthey shall prosperבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofהַנַּחֲלָה׃promise

    And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise.

15. 15

    וְגַםyea, and alsoאָמַרְתִּיI saidבְּלִבִּיin my heartכִּי־לֹאthat notיוּכְלוּthey couldלִשְׁמֹרkeepאֶת־מִצְוֹתthe commandments ofיְהוָהthe Lordכְּתוֹרַתaccording to the law ofמֹשֶׁהMosesבִּלְתִּיsaveאִם־תִּהְיֶהthey should haveלָהֶםunto themהַתּוֹרָה׃the law

    Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law.

16. 16

    וָאֵדַעand I knewגַּםalsoאֲנִיIכִּיthatהַתּוֹרָהthe lawחֲרוּתָהwas engravenעַל־לוּחוֹתupon the plates ofהַנְּחֹשֶׁת׃brass

    And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass.

17. 17

    וְגַםand againיָדַעְתִּיI knewכִּי־נָתַןthat had deliveredיְהוָהthe Lordאֶת־לָבָןLabanבְּיָדִיinto my handsלַדָּבָרfor the causeהַזֶּהthisלְמַעַןthatאֶקַּחI might obtainאֶת־הַסְּפָרִיםthe recordsכְּמִצְוֹתָיו׃according to His commandments

    And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according to his commandments.

18. 18

    עַל־כֵּןthereforeשָׁמַעְתִּיI did obeyבְּקוֹלthe voice ofהָרוּחַthe Spiritוָאֶתְפֹּשׂand tookאֶת־לָבָןLabanבִּשְׂעַרby the hair ofרֹאשׁוֹthe headוָאַכְרִיתand I smote offאֶת־רֹאשׁוֹhis headבְּמוֹwith his ownחַרְבּוֹ׃sword

    Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword.

19. 19

    וַיְהִיand it happenedאַחֲרֵיthat afterכָרְתִיI had smitten offאֶת־רֹאשׁוֹhis headבְּמוֹwith his ownחַרְבּוֹswordוָאֶקַּחI tookאֶת־בִּגְדֵיthe garments ofלָבָןLabanוָאֶלְבַּשׁand putאֹתָםthemעַל־בְּשָׂרִיupon mine own bodyאַףyeaכֻּלָּםall of themוָאֶחְגֹּרand I did gird onאֶת־שִׁרְיוֹנוֹhis armorעַלuponמׇתְנָי׃my loins

    And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban and put them upon mine own body; yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins.

20. 20

    וַיְהִיand it happenedאַחֲרֵיthat afterעֲשׂוֹתִיI had doneזֹאתthisוָאֵלֶךְI went forthאֶל־אוֹצַרunto the treasury ofלָבָןLabanוַיְהִיand it happenedבְּלֶכְתִּיas I went forthאֶל־אוֹצַרtoward the treasury ofלָבָןLabanוְהִנֵּהbeholdרָאִיתִיI beheldאֶת־עֶבֶדthe servant ofלָבָןLabanאֲשֶׁרwhoבְּיָדוֹin his handמַפְתְּחוֹתthe keys ofהָאוֹצָרthe treasuryוָאֲצַוֶּהand I commandedעָלָיוhimוְקוֹלִיand my voiceקוֹלthe voice ofלָבָןLabanלָלֶכֶתthat he should goאִתִּיwith meאֶלintoהָאוֹצָר׃the treasury

    And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold, I saw the servant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the treasury.

21. 21

    וַיַּחְשְׁבֵנִיand he supposed meלַאֲדֹנָיוto be his masterלְלָבָןLabanכִּיforרָאָהhe sawאֶת־הַבְּגָדִיםthe garmentsוְגַםand alsoאֶת־הַחֶרֶבthe swordהַחֲגוּרָהgirdedעַלaboutמׇתְנָי׃my loins

    And he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the garments and also the sword girded about my loins.

22. 22

    וַיְדַבֵּרand he spakeאֵלַיunto meעַל־זִקְנֵיconcerning the elders ofהַיְּהוּדִיםthe Jewsכִּיforיָדַעhe knewכִּיthatאֲדֹנָיוhis masterלָבָןLabanהָיָהhad beenבַלַּיְלָהby nightבְּתוֹכָם׃among them

    And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them.

23. 23

    וָאֲדַבֵּרand I spakeאֵלָיוunto himכְּלָבָן׃as Laban

    And I spake unto him as if it had been Laban.

24. 24

    וָאֹמַרand I spakeאֵלָיוunto himכִּיthatאֶשָּׂאI would carryאֶת־הַחֲרוּתִיםthe engravingsאֲשֶׁרwhichעַל־לוּחוֹתupon the plates ofהַנְּחֹשֶׁתbrassאֶל־אַחַיunto my brethrenהַגְּדֹלִיםthe elderאֲשֶׁרwhichמִחוּץwithoutלַחוֹמוֹת׃the walls

    And I also spake unto him that I should carry the engravings, which were upon the plates of brass, to my elder brethren, who were without the walls.

25. 25

    וְגַםand alsoאָמַרְתִּיI badeלוֹunto himלָלֶכֶתthat he should goאַחֲרָי׃after me

    And I also bade him that he should follow me.

26. 26

    וְהוּאand heחָשַׁבsupposingכִּי־דִבַּרְתִּיthat I spakeעַל־אַחֵיof the brethren ofהָעֵדָהthe churchוְכִיand thatאֲנִיI wasבֶּאֱמֶתtrulyלָבָןLabanאֲשֶׁרwhomהָרָגְתִּיI had slainעַל־כֵּןwhereforeהָלַךְhe did followאַחֲרָי׃after me

    And he, supposing that I spake of the brethren of the church, and that I was truly that Laban whom I had slain, wherefore he did follow me.

27. 27

    וַיְדַבֵּרand he spakeאֵלַיunto meפְּעָמִיםtimesרַבּוֹתmanyעַל־זִקְנֵיconcerning the elders ofהַיְּהוּדִיםthe Jewsבְּלֶכְתִּיas I wentאֶל־אַחַיunto my brethrenאֲשֶׁרwhichמִחוּץwithoutלַחוֹמוֹת׃the walls

    And he spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the walls.

28. 28

    וַיְהִיand it happenedכִּרְאוֹתthat when sawלָמָןLamanאֹתִיmeיָרֹאexceedinglyיָרֵאhe was frightenedוְגַםand alsoלְמוּאֵלLemuelוְסָםand Samוַיָּנוּסוּand they fledמִלְּפָנַיfrom my presenceכִּיforחָשְׁבוּthey supposedכִּי־לָבָןthat Labanהוּאit was heוְכִיand thatהֲרָגַנִיhe had slain meוּבִקֵּשׁand had soughtלָקַחַתto takeגַּםalsoאֶת־נַפְשָׁם׃their lives

    And it came to pass that when Laman saw me he was exceedingly frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam. And they fled from before my presence; for they supposed it was Laban, and that he had slain me and had sought to take away their lives also.

29. 29

    וָאֶקְרָאand I calledאַחֲרֵיהֶםafter themוַיִּשְׁמְעוּand they heardקוֹלִיmy voiceוְעַל־כֵּןwhereforeחָדְלוּthey ceasedלָנוּסto fleeמִלְּפָנָי׃from my presence

    And it came to pass that I called after them, and they did hear me; wherefore they did cease to flee from my presence.

30. 30

    וַיְהִיand it happenedכִּרְאוֹתthat when beheldעֶבֶדthe servant ofלָבָןLabanאֶת־אַחַיmy brethrenוַיָּחֶלhe beganלִרְעֹדto trembleוַיְבַקֵּשׁand was aboutלָנוּסto fleeמִלְּפָנַיfrom before meוְלָשׁוּבand returnעִירָהto the city ofיְרוּשָׁלָיִם׃Jerusalem

    And it came to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my brethren he began to tremble, and was about to flee from before me and return to the city of Jerusalem.

31. 31

    וְעַתָּהand nowאֲנִיIנֶפִיNephiאִישׁbeing a manגְּדָלlargeקוֹמָהin statureוְקִבַּלְתִּיand I receivedכֹּחַstrengthרַבmuchמֵאֵתofיְהוָהthe Lordוְעַל־כֵּןthereforeתָּפַשְׂתִּיI did seize uponאֶת־עֶבֶדthe servant ofלָבָןLabanוָאֹחֵזand held himבּוֹin himלְבִלְתִּיthat notיָנוּס׃he should flee

    And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also having received much strength of the Lord, therefore I did seize upon the servant of Laban, and held him, that he should not flee.

32. 32

    וָאֲדַבֵּרand I spakeעִמּוֹunto himכִּי־אִםthat ifיִשְׁמַעhe would hearkenלִדְבָרַיunto my wordsחַי־יְהוָהas the Lord livethוְחַי־אָנִיand as I liveוְאַףevenכִּי־אִםthat ifיִשְׁמַעhe would hearkenלִדְבָרֵינוּunto our wordsנַחֲיֶהwe would spareאֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ׃his life

    And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would hearken unto my words, as the Lord liveth, and as I live, even so that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare his life.

33. 33

    וָאֹמַרand I spakeאֵלָיוunto himוְגַםand alsoבִּשְׁבוּעָהwith an oathכִּיthatאֵין־לוֹhe has notלִירָאto fearכִּיforיִהְיֶהhe should beכְּאֶחָדas one ofמִמֶּנּוּusאִישׁa manחׇפְשִׁיfreeאִם־יֵרֵדif he would go downאִתָּנוּwith usהַמִּדְבָּרָה׃into the wilderness

    And I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not fear; that he should be a free man like unto us if he would go down in the wilderness with us.

34. 34

    וְגַםand alsoאָמַרְתִּיI saidאֵלָיוunto himלֵאמֹרsayingאָכֵןsurelyצִוָּהhath commandedיְהוָהthe Lordאֹתָנוּusלַעֲשׂוֹתto doאֶת־הַדָּבָרthe thingהַזֶּהthisוַהֲלֹאand shall we notשָׁמוֹרbe diligentנִשְׁמֹרin keepingאֶת־מִצְוֹתthe commandments ofיְהוָהthe Lordוְעַתָּהand nowאִם־תֵּרֵדif you will go downהַמִּדְבָּרָהinto the wildernessאֶל־אָבִיto my fatherוְהָיָהand there shall beלְךָunto youמָקוֹםa placeאִתָּנוּ׃with us

    And I also spake unto him, saying: Surely the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing; and shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord? Therefore, if thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father thou shalt have place with us.

35. 35

    וַיִּתְחַזֵּקand took courageזוֹרָםZoramלִדְבָרַיat the wordsאֲשֶׁרwhichאָמַרְתִּיI spakeוְזוֹרָםnow Zoramשֵׁםwas the name ofהָעֶבֶדthe servantוַיַּבְטַחand he promisedלָרֶדֶתthat he would go downהַמִּדְבָּרָהinto the wildernessאֶל־אָבִינוּunto our fatherוְגַםand alsoנִשְׁבַּעswareלָנוּunto usלָשֶׁבֶתthat he would tarryעִמָּנוּwith usמֵהַיּוֹםfrom the timeהַהוּאthatוָהָלְאָה׃forth

    And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the servant; and he promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father. Yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth.

36. 36

    וְעַתָּהnowחָפַצְנוּwe were desirousכִּי־יֵשֵׁבthat he should tarryעִמָּנוּwith usלַדָּבָרfor the causeהַזֶּהthisלְבִלְתִּיthat notיֵדְעוּmight knowהַיְּהוּדִיםthe Jewsעַל־מְנוּסָתֵנוּconcerning our flightהַמִּדְבָּרָהinto the wildernessפֶּן־יִרְדְּפוּlest they should pursueאַחֲרֵינוּafter usוְיַשְׁמִידוּנוּ׃and destroy us

    Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause, that the Jews might not know concerning our flight into the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us.

37. 37

    וַיְהִיand it happenedכַּאֲשֶׁרthat whenנִשְׁבַּעhad made an oathזוֹרָםZoramלָנוּunto usוַיַּחְדְּלוּceasedפְּחָדֵינוּour fearsעָלָיו׃concerning him

    And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oath unto us, our fears did cease concerning him.

38. 38

    וַנִּקַּחand we tookאֶת־לוּחוֹתthe plates ofהַנְּחֹשֶׁתbrassוְאֶת־עֶבֶדand the servant ofלָבָןLabanוַנֵּצֵאand departedהַמִּדְבָּרָהinto the wildernessוַנֵּלֶךְand journeyedאֶל־אֹהֶלunto the tent ofאָבִינוּ׃our father

    And it came to pass that we took the plates of brass and the servant of Laban, and departed into the wilderness, and journeyed unto the tent of our father.