In 1 Nephi Chapter 16, two places are mentioned by name. The first place where the group stops after leaving the Valley of Lemuel is called Shazer by Nephi. The second he gives the name of Nahom. Though there have been many conversations as to the locations of these places, especially the theoretical location of Nahom due to the discovery of physical evidence of that location, a lot has been spoken of regarding the naming. I would like to discuss that here.
In reading these verses earlier today, I noticed a variation in the verbiage Nephi used in the two verses that talk about these places. First is Shazer, found at the end of verse 13 quoted verbatim here:
"And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer."(Italics added).
The second reference is in verse 34 as follows:
"And it came to pass that Ishmael died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom." (Italics added).
In the first verse, it is clear that the name "Shazer" is a name that the caravan of Lehi gave the place. This does not necessarily mean that this was an originally unnamed place but it is possible that the name was applied to it by the Lehites. History has shown that many locations in the world have had their names changed as the population in the area changes.
The point of interest I wanted to note was that Nephi used different words, in the description that they gave Shazer its name whereas the place where Ishmael died was called Nahom by an implied and unknown third-party.
Further supporting this concept is the description int he next chapter, verse 5 which reads:
"And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters." (Italics added).
Here are two more examples where Nephi specifically states that the Lehites gave the name to the location where they stopped.
In reading these verses earlier today, I noticed a variation in the verbiage Nephi used in the two verses that talk about these places. First is Shazer, found at the end of verse 13 quoted verbatim here:
"And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer."(Italics added).
The second reference is in verse 34 as follows:
"And it came to pass that Ishmael died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom." (Italics added).
In the first verse, it is clear that the name "Shazer" is a name that the caravan of Lehi gave the place. This does not necessarily mean that this was an originally unnamed place but it is possible that the name was applied to it by the Lehites. History has shown that many locations in the world have had their names changed as the population in the area changes.
The point of interest I wanted to note was that Nephi used different words, in the description that they gave Shazer its name whereas the place where Ishmael died was called Nahom by an implied and unknown third-party.
Further supporting this concept is the description int he next chapter, verse 5 which reads:
"And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters." (Italics added).
Here are two more examples where Nephi specifically states that the Lehites gave the name to the location where they stopped.
