The Allegory of the Olive Tree and the Use of Related Figurative Language in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament
Keywords
Olive tree, figurative language in scriptures, ancient near east, old testament
Abstract
The prophecy of Zenos in Jacob 5 is often called the allegory of the olive tree. The objective of this study is to examine this allegory in the larger context of figurative language in the ancient Near East and, in particular, in its own literary tradition preserved in the Old Testament. Through general comparisons we can gain better perspectives on the allegory's relationship to other ancient traditions, a better understanding of its contents, and an appreciation for the Book of Mormon, which restored this marvelous piece to us.
Original Publication Citation
“The Allegory of the Olive Tree and the Use of Related Figurative Language in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament.” Pages 290-304 in The Allegory of the Olive Tree. Edited by Stephen D. Ricks and John W. Welch. Salt Lake City and Provo: Deseret Book and F.A.R.M.S., 1994.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Seely, David R., "The Allegory of the Olive Tree and the Use of Related Figurative Language in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament" (2017). Faculty Publications. 3629.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/3629
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2017-7
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6439
Publisher
FARMS
Language
English
College
Religious Education
Department
Ancient Scripture