History: The plants of the region through which they were traveling would determine Nephi’s ability to make a bow. Potter and Wellington propose that the location for this incident may have been in the vicinity of Bishah. This is an oasis close to the trail and close to the mountains where Nephi might have found game.
Hamblin describes an Arabic traditional bow that likely was similar to Nephi’s:
One medieval Arab toxophilite [a lover of archery] wrote, “The bows of the Hijazi [west Arabian] Arabs are also of three kinds. One is made of a single stave; another is made of a stave or two staves divided lengthwise; and the third is backed, or reinforced. All these three kinds are made of the nab’, shawhat, and shiryan wood. The method is that of shaving the wood down.… The bow which is made of a single stave is called qadib.”
Potter and Wellington suggest that, rather than these woods, Nephi would have made his bow from atim, or olive wood. They confirmed that bows were made from olive wood. The natural presence of the olive “on the eastern side of the mountains above the flats where the Frankincense Trail ran” near the area of Bishah provided a usable tree in the very location where it is plausible that the family halted on this part of their journey.
In addition to making a new bow, Nephi also makes a new arrow. But his bow broke, not his arrows. Why does he make an arrow? David S. Fox suggests:
Consider what happens to an arrow at the instant the string is released: the full force of the drawn string is applied to the end of the arrow, trying to accelerate it, but also tending to bend or buckle the arrow. If the bow’s draw weight and the arrow’s stiffness are not perfectly matched, the arrow will stray off the intended course or fall short of the mark. An arrow that is too flexible will leave the bow with a vibration that can cause the arrow to behave erratically. On the other hand, an arrow that is too stiff is probably too heavy for the bow.
Nephi’s steel bow likely used heavier, stiffer arrows than his simply fashioned wooden bow could handle. Nephi was physically large (see 1 Ne. 2:16, 4:31), and he would have had little reason to use a bow made from metal if he did not have considerable strength. The arrows to match the steel bow used by such a man would undoubtedly have been quite heavy in order for them to be of adequate stiffness. One experienced archer reports, “The arrows from the steel bow when shot from the wooden bow would be like shooting telephone poles.” Hence, it is accurate that Nephi should mention, in one and the same breath, the fact that he made an arrow as well as a bow. Bow wood and arrow wood from the same tree or area could be matched as well.
Potter and Wellington confirmed that arrows were made from the wild olive tree in Dhofar.
Nephi also armed himself with a sling and stones, a weapon suitable for smaller game like hare. Arrows would be required for the larger antelope, gazelle, or oryx. If Nephi made only a single arrow, his faith in Yahweh’s guidance would have been tremendous, as he allowed for no error. However, this might be a linguistic convention, and we should probably be cautious about reading too much into the mention of an “arrow,” rather than “arrows.” Because he kills multiple “beasts” (v. 31–32), he probably had more than a single arrow.
Scripture: After Nephi makes his bow and arrows, he asks his father where he should hunt. This request manifests respect for his father as patriarch and also as respect for his priesthood leader. But given Lehi’s murmurings, it is also a gentle call to repentance. Nephi reminds his father of his patriarchal responsibility, acknowledges his right to revelation, and restores his confidence—all by simply asking for guidance.
Lehi’s murmurings confirm that Yahweh had not revealed the solution of the problem to him. Rather, Nephi is being prepared as the prophet/leader for the New World. This experience, in which his own life is at risk, along with those of his extended family, is a test. Nephi understands that the solution lies in the skill of his hands (he makes a bow and arrow) and the strength of his spirit (in seeking inspiration about where to hunt).