< Mosiah 16 >
v.3 For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.
Beguile
The Hebrew word here is nāšā’ = to deceive, mislead, trick, or seduce. “That old serpent” is a distinctly New Testament phrase, not something that appears in the Old Testament text itself.
It comes from Revelation, where John explicitly identifies the serpent of Eden with Satan. Where “that old serpent” appears:
Revelation 12:9
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…”
Revelation 20:2
“…and bound the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan…”
Beguile
The Hebrew word here is nāšā’ = to deceive, mislead, trick, or seduce. “That old serpent” is a distinctly New Testament phrase, not something that appears in the Old Testament text itself.
It comes from Revelation, where John explicitly identifies the serpent of Eden with Satan. Where “that old serpent” appears:
Revelation 12:9
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…”
Revelation 20:2
“…and bound the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan…”
v.15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.
Abinadi ahead of his times
He is like:
Which is exactly what Book of Mormon prophets consistently claim:
“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ…”
— 2 Nephi 25:26
Abinadi stands out because he provides a New Testament-level explanation of an Old Testament prophecy.
The Old Testament contains:
Abinadi ahead of his times
He is like:
- A prophet with Isaiah’s text
- And New Testament understanding
- But speaking centuries before Christ
Which is exactly what Book of Mormon prophets consistently claim:
“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ…”
— 2 Nephi 25:26
Abinadi stands out because he provides a New Testament-level explanation of an Old Testament prophecy.
The Old Testament contains:
- direct messianic prophecy
- suffering-servant atonement imagery
- divine Messiah titles
- salvation-through-Messiah expectations