This is the site of a battle between the Nephites and Lamanites northward of the city of Antiparah. The battle site was a little more than two days hard marching straight northward of the city of Antiparah. It was also westward of the city of Judea. The battle site was higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. The battle site is in the wilderness around Judea.
Commentaries (
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ALMA 26:42 [56:36]: And it came to pass that we did flee before them, northward.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, the city beyond the city of Antiparah, and Judea. The term 'we' refers to Helaman and his army. To flee to safety towards the north indicates Helaman's army passed to the north of the city of Antiparah from the city of Judea. This means the city of Antiparah is southward of the city of Judea. If their feint were to appear as if they were going to the city beyond the city of Antiparah, the city beyond the city of Antiparah would not be much further south than the city of Antiparah. Otherwise, Helaman's army would have traveled on the south side of the city of Antiparah and been behind the Lamanite lines. This verse also defines the direction of their eventual battle site as being north of the city of Antiparah.
ALMA 26:43 [56:37]: And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites; yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their mights, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us:
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, and Judea. Antipus had come from the city of Judea and up behind the Lamanites who had left the city of Antiparah to follow Helaman's army northward. The phrase 'straight course after us' indicates the Lamanite army is traveling in a straight line.
ALMA 26:46 [56:38]: But behold, it was night; therefore they did not overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did camp for the night.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, and Judea. In one day's hard march northward from the city of Antiparah, the armies did not return to the city of Judea, nor did they encounter any other stronghold held by the Nephites. The eventual battle site north of the city of Antiparah is at least one hard day's march north of the city of Antiparah.
ALMA 26:49 [56:40]: Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left, lest they should be surrounded: neither would I turn to the right or to the left, lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark.
Commentary: This verse references the places Antiparah, Judea, and the wilderness around Judea. The term 'they' refers to the Lamanite army. The term 'I' refers to Helaman and his army. This is the second day of hard marching in a straight line northward of the city of Antiparah and the armies have still not encountered the city of Judea or any other Nephite stronghold. The phrase 'into the wilderness' means the wilderness around the city of Judea since the city of Judea is northward of the city of Antiparah and next to the city of Antiparah. The term 'into' means that they left an area that is not a wilderness and entered the wilderness. This line of marching northward from the city of Antiparah is probably not directly to the city of Judea, but to the west of the city since Helaman's army was originally marching west towards the Sea West. The lack of any mention of any Nephite cities in this direction may indicate a lack of cities directly north of the city of Antiparah.
ALMA 26:51 [56:42]: But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far, before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day, on the seventh month.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah and the battle site north of the city of Antiparah. The term 'they' refers to the Lamanite army. The term 'us' refers to Helaman and his army. The battle site is just a little more than two hard days march in a straight line northward of the city of Antiparah.
ALMA 26:69 [56:57]: And the remainder I took and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and took our march back to the city of Judea.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, and Judea. After defeating the Lamanites in battle at the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, Helaman took his army back to the city of Judea. Since the army had traveled west from the city of Judea to the city of Antiparah and then northward to the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, they would be heading eastward to get back to the city of Judea.
ALMA 26:105 [57:28]: And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of our wounded men, and had buried our dead, and also the dead of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the land of Zarahemla with.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, Cumeni, the wilderness around Judea, and Zarahemla. The phrase 'we' refers to the army of Helaman that was in the city of Cumeni at this time. The prisoners are the ones taken after the battle between the Nephites and Lamanites north of the city of Antiparah. The phrase, 'go down to the land of Zarahemla with,' means the location of the battle site north of the city of Antiparah is higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. The battle site is in the wilderness around the land of Judea, so the wilderness is also higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla.
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