Alma 53 אלמא פרק נ״ג

Classical Biblical Hebrew translation, word by word with English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Alma 53 in the interlinear reader for transliteration, roots and notes.

1. 1

   וַיְהִיand it happenedכִּיthatהֶעֱמִידוּthey did setשֹׁמְרִיםguardsעַל־שְׁבוּיֵיover the prisoners ofהַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesוַיֶּאֶנְסוּםand did compel themלָצֵאתto go forthוְלִקְבֹּרand to buryאֶת־מֵתֵיהֶםtheir deadוְגַםand alsoאֶת־מֵתֵיthe dead ofהַנֶּפִיִּיםthe Nephitesאֲשֶׁרwhoנֶהֱרָגוּwere slainוַיַּפְקֵדand he appointedמוֹרוֹנִיMoroniאֲנָשִׁיםmenלְשׇׁמְרָםto guard themבַּעֲשׂוֹתָםwhile they performedאֶת־מְלַאכְתָּם׃their work

   And it came to pass that they did set guards over the prisoners of the Lamanites, and did compel them to go forth and bury their dead, yea, and also the dead of the Nephites who were slain; and Moroni placed men over them to guard them while they should perform their labors.

2. 2

   וַיֵּלֶךְand he wentמוֹרוֹנִיMoroniאֶל־עִירunto the city ofמוּלֵקMulekעִם־לֶחִיwith Lehiוַיִּקַּחand tookפְּקֻדַּתthe command ofהָעִירthe cityוַיִּתְּנֶהָand he gave itלְלֶחִיto Lehiוְהִנֵּהand beholdלֶחִיLehiזֶהthisהָיָהwasאִישׁa manאֲשֶׁרwhoהָיָהwasעִם־מוֹרוֹנִיwith Moroniבְּרֹבin the more part ofמִלְחֲמוֹתָיוhis battlesוְהוּאand heהָיָהwasאִישׁa manכְּמוֹרוֹנִיlike Moroniוַיִּשְׂמְחוּand they rejoicedאִישׁeachבִּשְׁלוֹםin the safety ofרֵעֵהוּhis fellowוַיֶּאֱהָבוּand they lovedאִישׁeachאֶת־רֵעֵהוּhis fellowוְגַםand alsoאֲהָבוּםloved themכׇּל־עַםall the people ofנֶפִי׃Nephi

   And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi.

3. 3

   וַיְהִיand it happenedכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenכִּלּוּhad finishedהַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesלִקְבֹּרto buryאֶת־מֵתֵיהֶםtheir deadוְגַםand alsoאֶת־מֵתֵיthe dead ofהַנֶּפִיִּיםthe Nephitesוַיּוּבְלוּand they were ledעוֹדagainאֶל־אֶרֶץto the land ofשֶׁפַעBountifulוַיְצַוand commandedטֵאַנְקוּםTeancumבְּפִיby the mouth ofמוֹרוֹנִיMoroniכִּיthatיָחֵלּוּshould beginלַעֲבֹדto laborבַּחֲפִירַתin the digging ofחָרִיץa ditchסָבִיבround aboutהָאָרֶץthe landאוֹorהָעִירthe cityשֶׁפַע׃Bountiful

   And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished burying their dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they were marched back into the land Bountiful; and Teancum, by the orders of Moroni, caused that they should commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful.

4. 4

   וַיְצַוand he commandedלִבְנוֹתto buildמַעֲקֶהa breastwork ofעֵצִיםtimbersעַל־גְּדַתupon the bank ofהַחָרִיץthe ditchהַפְּנִימִיתthe innerוַיִּשְׁפְּכוּand they cast upעָפָרdirtמִן־הַחָרִיץout of the ditchנֶגֶדagainstמַעֲקֵהthe breastwork ofהָעֵצִיםthe timbersוְכֵןand thusאָנְסוּthey compelledאֶת־הַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesלַעֲבֹדto laborעַד־כִּיuntilהִקִּיפוּthey had encircledאֶת־עִירthe city ofשֶׁפַעBountifulסָבִיבround aboutבְּחוֹמַתwith a wall ofעֵצִיםtimbersוְעָפָרand earthחֲזָקָהstrongגְּבוֹהָהhighמְאֹד׃exceedingly

   And he caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers; and thus they did cause the Lamanites to labor until they had encircled the city of Bountiful round about with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height.

5. 5

   וַתְּהִיand becameהָעִירthe cityהַזֹּאתthisלְמִבְצָרa strongholdחָזָקstrongמֵאָזfrom thenוָהָלְאָהand onwardוּבָעִירand in the cityהַזֹּאתthisשָׁמְרוּthey guardedאֶת־שְׁבוּיֵיthe prisoners ofהַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesבְּתוֹךְin the midst ofהַחוֹמָהthe wallאֲשֶׁרwhichאֲנָסוּםthey compelled themלִבְנוֹתto buildבִּידֵיהֶםwith their handsוְעַתָּהand nowנֶאֱנַסwas compelledמוֹרוֹנִיMoroniלֶאֱנֹסto compelאֶת־הַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesלַעֲבֹדto laborכִּיbecauseקַלeasyהָיָהit wasלְשׇׁמְרָםto guard themבַּעֲבוֹדָתָםat their laborוַיְבַקֵּשׁand he desiredאֶת־כׇּל־כּוֹחוֹתָיוall his forcesבִּפְשֹׁטwhen he should make an attackעַל־הַלָּמָנִים׃upon the Lamanites

   And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor; and he desired all his forces when he should make an attack upon the Lamanites.

6. 6

   וַיְהִיand it happenedכִּיthatהִשִּׂיגhad gainedמוֹרוֹנִיMoroniכֵןthusתְּשׁוּעָהa victoryעַל־אֶחָדover oneמִגְּדוֹלֵיof the greatest ofצִבְאוֹתthe armies ofהַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesוַיִּירַשׁand took possession ofאֶת־עִירthe city ofמוּלֵקMulekאֲשֶׁרwhichהָיְתָהwasאַחַתoneמִמִּבְצְרֵיof the strongholds ofהַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesהַחֲזָקִיםthe strongestבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofנֶפִיNephiוְכֵןand thusבָּנָהhe builtגַּםalsoמִבְצָרa strongholdלְהַחֲזִיקto retainאֶת־שְׁבוּיָיו׃his prisoners

   And it came to pass that Moroni had thus gained a victory over one of the greatest of the armies of the Lamanites, and had obtained possession of the city of Mulek, which was one of the strongest holds of the Lamanites in the land of Nephi; and thus he had also built a stronghold to retain his prisoners.

7. 7

   וַיְהִיand it happenedכִּי־לֹאthat notהוֹסִיףhe continuedלְהִלָּחֵםto fightבַּלָּמָנִיםagainst the Lamanitesבַּשָּׁנָהin the yearהַהִיאthatאַךְbutהֶעֱסִיקhe employedאֶת־אֲנָשָׁיוhis menלְהָכִיןto prepareלַמִּלְחָמָהfor warוְלִבְנוֹתand to buildמִבְצָרִיםfortificationsלְהָגֵןto guardמִפְּנֵיagainstהַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesוְגַםand alsoבְּהַצָּלַתin deliveringנְשֵׁיהֶםtheir womenוְטַפָּםand their childrenמֵרָעָבfrom famineוּמִצָּרָהand from afflictionוּלְהָכִיןand to provideמָזוֹןfoodלְצִבְאוֹתָיו׃for his armies

   And it came to pass that he did no more attempt a battle with the Lamanites in that year, but he did employ his men in preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications to guard against the Lamanites, yea, and also delivering their women and their children from famine and affliction, and providing food for their armies.

8. 8

   וְעַתָּהand nowצִבְאוֹתthe armies ofהַלָּמָנִיםthe Lamanitesבְּיַםon the sea ofמַעֲרָבthe westנֶגְבָּהsouthבְּאֵיןin the absence ofמוֹרוֹנִיMoroniבַּעֲבוּרon account ofמְזִמּוֹתintriguesבֵּיןamongהַנֶּפִיִּיםthe Nephitesאֲשֶׁרwhichהֵבִיאוּhad causedמַחֲלֹקֶתdissensionבֵּינֵיהֶםamong themהִשִּׂיגוּhad gainedאֲחֻזָּהpossessionעַל־הַנֶּפִיִּיםupon the Nephitesעַד־כִּיinsomuch thatיָרְשׁוּthey had possessedמִסְפַּרa number ofעָרֵיהֶםtheir citiesבְּחֵלֶקin the part ofהָאָרֶץthe landהַהוּא׃that

   And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni on account of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused dissensions amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of their cities in that part of the land.

9. 9

   וְכֵןand thusבַּעֲבוּרbecause ofרִשְׁעָתָםtheir iniquityבֵּינֵיהֶםamong themselvesוּמַחֲלֹקוֹתand dissensionsוּמְזִמּוֹתand intriguesבֵּינֵיהֶםamong themselvesהוּשְׂמוּthey were placedבְּצָרָהin distressגְּדוֹלָהgreatמְאֹד׃exceedingly

   And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances.

10. 10

    וְעַתָּהand nowהִנֵּהbeholdיֶשׁ־לִיI haveדָּבָרsomewhatלֵאמֹרto sayעַל־עַםconcerning the people ofעַמּוֹןAmmonאֲשֶׁרwhoהָיוּwereבַּתְּחִלָּהin the beginningלָמָנִיםLamanitesאַךְbutבְּיַדby the hand ofעַמּוֹןAmmonוְאֶחָיוand his brethrenאוֹorיוֹתֵרmoreנָכוֹןrightlyבְּכֹחַby the powerוּדְבַרand the word ofאֱלֹהִיםGodשָׁבוּthey had been convertedאֶל־יְהוָהunto the Lordוַיּוּרְדוּand were brought downלְאֶרֶץto the land ofזָרַהֶמְלָהZarahemlaוּמֵאָזand ever sinceהֵגֵנּוּhad protectedעֲלֵיהֶםthemהַנֶּפִיִּים׃the Nephites

    And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had been converted unto the Lord; and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the Nephites.

11. 11

    וּבַעֲבוּרand because ofשְׁבוּעָתָםtheir oathנִמְנְעוּthey were keptמִלָּשֵׂאתfrom taking upנֶשֶׁקarmsנֶגֶדagainstאֲחֵיהֶםtheir brethrenכִּיforנִשְׁבְּעוּthey had swornלְבִלְתִּיnot toשְׁפֹךְshedדָּםbloodעוֹדmoreוּכִשְׁבוּעָתָםand according to their oathהָיוּthey would haveאוֹבְדִיםperishedאַףyeaהָיוּthey would haveנֹפְלִיםfallenבִּידֵיinto the hands ofאֲחֵיהֶםtheir brethrenלוּלֵאwere it not forהַחֶמְלָהthe pityוְהָאַהֲבָהand the loveהָרַבָּהexceedingאֲשֶׁרwhichהָיְתָהwasלְעַמּוֹןto Ammonוּלְאֶחָיוand his brethrenאֲלֵיהֶם׃unto them

    And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they never would shed blood more; and according to their oath they would have perished; yea, they would have suffered themselves to have fallen into the hands of their brethren, had it not been for the pity and the exceeding love which Ammon and his brethren had had for them.

12. 12

    וְלַסִּבָּהand for the causeהַזֹּאתthisהוּרְדוּwere brought downלְאֶרֶץto the land ofזָרַהֶמְלָהZarahemlaוּמֵאָזand ever sinceהֵגֵנּוּhad protectedעֲלֵיהֶםthemהַנֶּפִיִּים׃the Nephites

    And for this cause they were brought down into the land of Zarahemla; and they ever had been protected by the Nephites.

13. 13

    וַיְהִיand it happenedכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenרָאוּthey sawאֶת־הָרָעָהthe dangerוְהַצָּרוֹתand the afflictionsוְהַתְּלָאוֹתand the tribulationsהָרַבּוֹתthe manyאֲשֶׁר־נָשְׂאוּwhich had borneהַנֶּפִיִּיםthe Nephitesבַּעֲבוּרָםfor themוַיִּכָּמְרוּand were movedרַחֲמֵיהֶםtheir compassionוַיַּחְפְּצוּand desiredלָשֵׂאתto take upנֶשֶׁקarmsלְהָגֵןto defendעַל־אַרְצָם׃their country

    But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country.

14. 14

    אַךְbutהִנֵּהbeholdכַּאֲשֶׁרasעָמְדוּthey were aboutלָקַחַתto takeאֶת־כְּלֵיthe weapons ofמִלְחַמְתָּםtheir warנִכְבְּשׁוּthey were overpoweredבְּתַחֲנוּנֵיby the entreaties ofהֵילָמָןHelamanוְאֶחָיוand his brethrenכִּיforעָמְדוּthey were aboutלְהָפֵרto breakאֶת־הַשְּׁבוּעָהthe oathאֲשֶׁרwhichנִשְׁבְּעוּ׃they swore

    But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had made.

15. 15

    וַיִּירָאand fearedהֵילָמָןHelamanפֶּן־יֹאבְדוּlest should perishנַפְשׁוֹתָםtheir soulsבַּעֲשׂוֹתָםby their doingכֵּןsoלָכֵןthereforeכׇּל־הַבָּאִיםall those who had enteredבַּבְּרִיתinto the covenantהַזֹּאתthisנֶאֶנְסוּwere compelledלִרְאוֹתto beholdאֶת־אֲחֵיהֶםtheir brethrenעוֹבְרִיםpassing throughבְּצָרוֹתֵיהֶםin their afflictionsבִּמְצוּקָתָםin their distressבָּעֵתat the timeהַזֹּאת׃this

    And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time.

16. 16

    אַךְbutהִנֵּהbeholdהָיוּwereלָהֶםunto themבָּנִיםsonsרַבִּיםmanyאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹא־בָאוּhad not enteredבַבְּרִיתinto a covenantלְבִלְתִּיthat they would notשְׂאֵתtake upכְּלֵיweapons ofמִלְחָמָהwarלְהָגֵןto defendעַל־עַצְמָםthemselvesמִפְּנֵיagainstאוֹיְבֵיהֶםtheir enemiesלָכֵןthereforeהִתְקַבְּצוּthey gatheredיַחְדָּוtogetherבָּעֵתat the timeהַזֹּאתthisכׇּל־אֲשֶׁרas many asיָכְלוּwere ableלָשֵׂאתto take upנֶשֶׁקarmsוַיִּקָּרְאוּand they called themselvesבְשֵׁםby the nameנֶפִיִּים׃Nephites

    But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites.

17. 17

    וַיִּכְרְתוּand they cutבְרִיתa covenantלְהִלָּחֵםto fightבְּעַדforדְּרוֹרthe liberty ofהַנֶּפִיִּיםthe Nephitesוּלְהָגֵןand to defendעַל־הָאָרֶץthe landעַד־מָוֶתunto deathוַיִּכְרְתוּand they cutבְרִיתa covenantלְבִלְתִּיnever toעֲזֹבforsakeאֶת־דְּרוֹרָםtheir libertyאַךְbutלְהִלָּחֵםto fightבְּכׇּל־עֵתat all timesלְהָגֵןto protectעַל־הַנֶּפִיִּיםthe Nephitesוְעַל־עַצְמָםand themselvesמֵעַבְדוּת׃from bondage

    And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.

18. 18

    וְהִנֵּהand beholdהָיוּwereאַלְפַּיִםtwo thousandמִן־הַנְּעָרִיםof the young menהָאֵלֶּהtheseאֲשֶׁר־בָּאוּwho enteredבַּבְּרִיתinto the covenantהַזֹּאתthisוַיִּקְחוּand they tookכְּלֵיweapons ofמִלְחָמָהwarלְהָגֵןto defendעַל־אַרְצָם׃their country

    Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country.

19. 19

    וְעַתָּהand nowהִנֵּהbeholdכַּאֲשֶׁרasלֹא־הָיוּthey had not beenמֵעוֹלָםeverלְמַכְשׁוֹלa stumbling blockלַנֶּפִיִּיםto the Nephitesהָיוּthey becameעַתָּהnowבָּעֵתat the timeהַזֹּאתthisלְעֵזֶרa supportרָבgreatכִּיforנָשְׂאוּthey took upכְּלֵיweapons ofמִלְחָמָהwarוַיְבַקְשׁוּand they desiredכִּיthatיִהְיֶהshould beהֵילָמָןHelamanלְרֹאשָׁם׃their leader

    And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader.

20. 20

    וְכֻלָּםand all of themהָיוּwereנְעָרִיםyoung menוְגִבּוֹרֵיand mighty men ofחַיִלvalorמְאֹדexceedinglyלְאֹמֶץfor courageוּלְכֹחַand for strengthוְקַלִּיםand activeאַךְbutהִנֵּהbeholdלֹא־זֹאתnot thisבִּלְבָדaloneכִּיforהָיוּthey wereאֲנָשִׁיםmenנֶאֱמָנִיםtrueבְּכׇל־עֵתat all timesבְּכׇל־אֲשֶׁרin whatsoeverהׇפְקְדוּ׃they were entrusted

    And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

21. 21

    הֵןyeaהָיוּthey wereאַנְשֵׁיmen ofאֱמֶתtruthוְיֹשֶׁרand sobernessכִּיforלֻמְּדוּthey had been taughtלִשְׁמֹרto keepאֶת־מִצְוֹתthe commandments ofאֱלֹהִיםGodוְלָלֶכֶתand to walkבְּיֹשֶׁרuprightlyלְפָנָיו׃before Him

    Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.

22. 22

    וַיְהִיand it happenedכִּיthatצָעַדdid marchהֵילָמָןHelamanבְּרֹאשׁat the head ofאַלְפַּיִםtwo thousandאַנְשֵׁי־צְבָאוֹhis soldiersהַצְּעִירִיםthe striplingלַעֲזֹרto supportלָעָםthe peopleבִּגְבוּלוֹתin the borders ofהָאָרֶץthe landבַּנֶּגֶבon the southעַל־יַםby the sea ofמַעֲרָב׃the west

    And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea.

23. 23

    וַתִּתֹּםand thus endedשְׁנַתthe year ofעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyוּשְׁמֹנֶהand eightלִמְשֹׁלof the reign ofהַשֹּׁפְטִיםthe judgesעַל־עַםover the people ofנֶפִי׃Nephi

    And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.