2 Nephi 15:8-10

Brant Gardner

Isaiah has begun to describe the destruction of the vineyard, and continues here, and will continue in further verses in this chapter. There are two destructions here. The first is a parallel of cities, and the second of harvest.

For the cities, Isaiah quotes something that might be considered a sign of wealth—a city with a large number of dwellings. This would be a large, and probably wealthy city. These would be, as Isaiah calls them, great and fair cities. From that favorable description comes the reversal—they will be left without inhabitants.

The second reversal is in the minimal production of the fields. It is not stated that a bountiful harvest is good, nor need it be. That is understood. That implication of bounty is countered by the indication that, regardless of the size of lands under cultivation, the yield will be poor. A poor yield and a large population declares famine.

Book of Mormon Minute

References