Ziff (Book of Mormon)

Ziff (/zɪf/[1]) is an unknown material or item, probably a metal, mentioned in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 11:3,8). The text mentions ziff twice, first in a list of possessions taxed by King Noah, then in a list of "precious things" (the rest of which were all metals) used to ornament various buildings.

In Hebrew, the word zîw means "splendor" or "brightness".[2] A footnote in the 2013 Latter-Day Saint edition of the Book of Mormon suggests translations for possible related Hebrew words as "adjective, 'shining'; verb, 'to overlay or plate with metal.'"[3]

John L. Sorenson, a Latter-day Saint scholar of Mesoamerican archaeology, has opined that the most likely possibility for ziff is an alloy called tumbaga composed of gold and copper.[4]

In the Arabic language, a ziff is a special kind of curved sword somewhat like a scimitar, which is carried in a sheath and often used for ornamentation, as well as for more practical purposes.

References
  1. churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" (retrieved 2012-02-25), IPA-ified from «zĭf»
  2. John A. Tvedtnes (1996). "What's in a Name? A Look at the Book of Mormon. Onomasticon". FARMS Review. Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute. 8 (2): 34–42.
  3. "Mosiah 11". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  4. Sorenson, John L.. (1970-04-03) Digging into the Book of Mormon: Our Changing Understanding of Ancient America and Its Scripture – Ensign Sept. 1984 – ensign. churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved on 2012-01-25.
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