"They Did Multiply and Prosper Exceedingly in the Land of Helam": Naming and Narrative Irony in Mosiah 23

Abstract: The name Helam, attested as a place name in the Bible is also attested as a personal and place name in the Book of Mormon. Evidence suggests that this name is derived from the Hebrew noun ḥayil/ḥêl, which has a wide range of meaning, including "wealth," "abundance," "power," and even "army" (including Pharaoh's "army" or "host"). The form of Helam suggests the meaning, "[God is] their wealth," "[God is] their abundance," "[God is] their power," and even "[God is] their army." Alth...