In Mosiah 20 the Lamanites have come against the people of Limhi because 24 Lamanite daughters have been taken. In the fighting the Lamanite king is captured, and brought before king Limhi to explain why he has come against them in war. After explaining the kidnapping of the 24 Lamanite daughters, the Nephites are not only perplexed, but fear death at the hands of the Lamanites. Gideon realizes that the kidnappings were probably the fault of the priests of Noah and rushes to tell king Limhi in hopes that something can be done to prevent another Lamanite assault. According to Hugh Nibley, there is an interesting rhetorical device used here by Gideon. In Arabic, for example, and in Hebrew less, you cannot begin a sentence cold. You just can't say "he went into the house" or "there was a house on the hill." You have to begin with hinneth, "behold." . . . But in urgent cases you have to introduce what you're saying by an excitement word. In Egyptian you have to use it before every sentence. . . . so notice the way Gideon builds up his message to king Limhi here:
And now, behold, and tell the king [of the Lamanites] of these things, that he may tell his people that they may be pacified towards us; for behold they are already preparing to come against us; and behold also there are but few of us. And behold, they come with their numerous hosts; and except the king doth pacify them towards us we must perish.
Gideon uses the word "behold" four times here. He builds up the climax and excitement; he says we've got to act quickly here. It's just like it came to his mind in a flash. He knows who it was now, so he uses this series of beholds, which are very Semitic, very eloquent, and very necessary.
Nibley sarcastically comments: "Anybody could see that [the need for such a rhetorical device]. Joseph Smith knew this very well, of course." [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 2, p. 134]