1 Nephi 21

The Servant Called from the Womb

And again: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people; yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel. Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from far; the Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 1 Nephi 21:1–3

The Servant speaks: he was named before birth, his mouth is like a sharp sword, and he is kept hidden in God's hand until his time. The Servant can mean Israel, but Christ fulfills it completely. He was foreordained and named before birth, and the sharp sword of His word comes from His mouth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:1-3 — The Isaiah source text.
• alluded to by Revelation 1:16 — Out of the glorified Christ's mouth goes a sharp two-edged sword.
• alluded to by Revelation 19:15 — Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword.

The Servant Who Brings Jacob Back

Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 1 Nephi 21:4–5

The Servant feels his work among Israel has failed, but trusts the Lord. He was formed to bring Jacob back to God. This fits Christ, rejected by His own people, whose mission is still to gather Israel.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:4-5 — The Isaiah source text.
• alludes to John 1:11 — He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.

A Light to the Gentiles

And he said: It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth. 1 Nephi 21:6

Restoring Israel is not enough. God will also make His Servant a light to the Gentiles and His salvation to the ends of the earth. Simeon held the baby Jesus and recognized Him as that light.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:6 — The Isaiah source text.
• fulfilled by Luke 2:32 — Simeon calls the infant Jesus 'a light to lighten the Gentiles.'
• quoted by Acts 13:47 — Paul quotes this verse as the charge to carry Christ's salvation to the Gentiles.
• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'

Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One

Redeemer — one who buys back, freeing from bondage by paying the price

Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nations abhorreth, to servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful. 1 Nephi 21:7

The Lord speaks as the Redeemer of Israel and Israel's Holy One. Both are titles of Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:7 — The Isaiah source text.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 21:26 — 'Thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.'

The Despised One Whom Kings Worship

Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nations abhorreth, to servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful. 1 Nephi 21:7

The One people despise and nations reject is the One kings will one day rise before and princes will worship. That is the story of Christ: rejected and crucified, then honored by every knee.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 53:3 — He is despised and rejected of men.
• alludes to Isaiah 52:15 — Kings shall shut their mouths at him.
• fulfilled by Philippians 2:10-11 — Every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

My Servant for a Covenant of the People

Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; 1 Nephi 21:8

God promises to give His Servant 'for a covenant of the people.' Christ is the new covenant in person: through Him God's promises to Israel and the whole world are kept.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:8 — The Isaiah source text.
• the same title in Isaiah 42:6 — 'Give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.'
• quoted by 2 Corinthians 6:2 — Paul quotes 'accepted time... day of salvation' for the gospel of Christ.

Deliverer of the Prisoners

That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 1 Nephi 21:9

The Servant tells prisoners to go free and those in darkness to come into the light. Christ said this was His mission. It includes the spirits in prison He visited after His death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 61:1 — 'To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison.'
• fulfilled by Luke 4:18 — Jesus reads Isaiah 61 in Nazareth and applies it to Himself.
• fulfilled by D&C 138:18 — The Son of God in the spirit world declares liberty to the captives.
• fulfilled by 1 Peter 3:18-19 — Christ preached to the spirits in prison.

He That Hath Mercy Leads by Springs of Water

They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. 1 Nephi 21:10

The merciful One leads His gathered people like a shepherd to springs of water. John borrows these words to describe the Lamb leading the redeemed to living fountains.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:10 — The Isaiah source text.
• alluded to by Revelation 7:16-17 — They hunger no more; the Lamb shall lead them unto living fountains of waters.
• the same title in John 4:14 — Christ gives water springing up into everlasting life.

Graven upon the Palms of My Hands

But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not. 1 Nephi 21:14–16

Zion fears the Lord has forgotten her. He answers that a nursing mother might forget her baby, but He will never forget His people, whom He has engraved on His palms. Latter-day Saints hear the nail prints here: the marks of the Crucifixion are His permanent reminder of us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:15-16 — The Isaiah source text.
• alludes to Zechariah 13:6 — 'What are these wounds in thine hands?'
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 11:14-15 — The Nephites feel the prints of the nails in His hands.
• alludes to D&C 6:37 — 'Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet.'
• alludes to John 20:27 — Thomas is invited to behold His hands.

I Am the Lord

Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 1 Nephi 21:22–23

Jehovah promises to raise a standard to the Gentiles, who will carry Israel's children home, so Israel will know He is the Lord. No one who waits for Him will be ashamed.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:22-23 — The Isaiah source text.
• alludes to Isaiah 11:10-12 — The Lord sets up an ensign for the nations to gather Israel.

Thy Savior and Thy Redeemer

Savior — the One who rescues and delivers; Redeemer — the One who buys back

But thus saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. 1 Nephi 21:25–26

The Lord speaks in first person and says all flesh will know He is Israel's Savior and Redeemer. These are among the plainest titles of Jesus Christ, and here Jehovah claims them for Himself.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Isaiah 49:26 — The Isaiah source text.
• the same title in Isaiah 60:16 — 'I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.'
• quoted by 1 Nephi 22:12 — Nephi repeats: 'the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.'

Mighty One of Jacob

Mighty One of Jacob — the strong God who defends and delivers Jacob's house

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 1 Nephi 21:26

Mighty One of Jacob is an ancient title of the God who protected Jacob and his house. Here the Savior and Redeemer claims it, so it too is a name of Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Genesis 49:24 — Jacob's blessing: 'the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel).'
• the same title in Isaiah 60:16 — 'The mighty One of Jacob.'