< Jacob 1 >
v. 7 ... that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness.
The phrase “the provocation” refers to a specific episode (or cluster of episodes) in the Exodus wilderness period when the Israelites provoked or tested the Lord through unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion.
It recalls events like:
That divine oath — “they shall not enter into my rest” — became a symbol of spiritual hard-heartedness leading to loss of divine blessing.
So “in the provocation” = during the time when the Israelites provoked the Lord’s anger by their unbelief and disobedience.
See also: Psalm 95:7-11 and Hebrews 3:8
The phrase “the provocation” refers to a specific episode (or cluster of episodes) in the Exodus wilderness period when the Israelites provoked or tested the Lord through unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion.
It recalls events like:
- Massah and Meribah (“testing” and “quarreling”) in Exodus 17:1–7 and Numbers 14:22–23 — when Israel complained about thirst and doubted that the Lord was with them.
- God said they had “tempted Me these ten times” and swore they would not enter the promised land.
That divine oath — “they shall not enter into my rest” — became a symbol of spiritual hard-heartedness leading to loss of divine blessing.
So “in the provocation” = during the time when the Israelites provoked the Lord’s anger by their unbelief and disobedience.
See also: Psalm 95:7-11 and Hebrews 3:8
v. 15 And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts...
How many peopleLehi’s company probably consisted of:
Estimates range between 30–50 adults, plus some children — roughly 50–70 total individuals at departure.
Assuming fertility typical of premodern populations (4–6 surviving children per couple), that’s a small founding group — but one that can expand surprisingly quickly.
With a doubling about every 25–30 years (which is realistic for a small, food-secure agricultural group), the population by Jacob’s time could easily be 200–500 people, maybe somewhat more if intermarriage with locals occurred (see below).
How many peopleLehi’s company probably consisted of:
- Lehi & Sariah + their 6 sons and families (at least 20–30 total)
- Ishmael’s family (another 10–15)
- Zoram (and possibly family)
Estimates range between 30–50 adults, plus some children — roughly 50–70 total individuals at departure.
Assuming fertility typical of premodern populations (4–6 surviving children per couple), that’s a small founding group — but one that can expand surprisingly quickly.
With a doubling about every 25–30 years (which is realistic for a small, food-secure agricultural group), the population by Jacob’s time could easily be 200–500 people, maybe somewhat more if intermarriage with locals occurred (see below).
- Nephi speaks of “others” already in the land (2 Nephi 5:6–9 hints at followers not named in Lehi’s family).
- Rapid population growth and complex warfare by Jarom’s time are difficult to explain otherwise.