2 Nephi 20

Holy One of Israel; Light of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the set-apart, perfectly holy God who belongs to Israel by covenant

And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day; 2 Nephi 20:17

The Light and Holy One of Israel become a fire that burns away the proud enemy. Nephi teaches plainly that the Holy One of Israel is Christ, who is both Israel's light and the judge who cleanses the wicked.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by 2 Nephi 25:29 — 'Christ is the Holy One of Israel'.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 10:17 — The same verse in Isaiah.

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the set-apart, perfectly holy God who belongs to Israel by covenant

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 2 Nephi 20:20

The surviving remnant of Israel will stop leaning on worldly powers and lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. That is Jesus Christ, the one worth trusting completely.

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

• interpreted by 2 Nephi 25:29 — 'Christ is the Holy One of Israel'.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 10:20 — The same verse in Isaiah.

The Mighty God

Mighty God — God the powerful warrior who saves

The remnant shall return, yea, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 2 Nephi 20:21

The same title given to the promised child in 2 Nephi 19:6 appears here: scattered Israel will return to the Mighty God. The gathering of Israel is a gathering to Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 2 Nephi 19:6 — The child born is called 'The Mighty God'.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 10:21 — The same verse in Isaiah.

Jehovah the Deliverer

Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of Hosts: O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. 2 Nephi 20:24–26

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, speaks comfort to Zion: do not fear, I will deliver you as I did at the Red Sea and against Midian. The God who parted the sea is the same Savior who rescues His people now.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Judges 7:25 — The Midianite prince Oreb slain at the rock Oreb.
• alludes to Exodus 14:16 — The rod lifted over the Red Sea.

The Anointing (the Anointed One)

Messiah — the Anointed One

And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. 2 Nephi 20:27

The oppressor's yoke is broken 'because of the anointing'. Messiah and Christ both mean 'Anointed One', so many readers hear a hint that the yoke of bondage is finally broken by the Anointed Savior.

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

• the same event in 2 Nephi 19:4 — The same yoke and staff of the oppressor broken.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 10:27 — The same verse in Isaiah.