Judea

This is the land and city of Judea. The land of Judea is northward of the lands of Manti, Zeezrom, Cumeni, and Antiparah. The city of Judea is at least one day's hard march from the city of Antiparah. The land of Judea is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla. There is a wilderness around the land of Judea westward of the city of Judea.

Commentaries (view it on a map)

ALMA 26:10 [56:9]: For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I Helaman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men, to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land.

Commentary: This verse references the place of Judea. The Lamanites were in control of the cities to the south, so Helaman entered the city of Judea from the north.

ALMA 26:16 [56:15]: And these are the cities which they possessed when I arrived at the city of Judea; and I found Antipus and his men toiling with their mights to fortify the city;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, Cumeni, Judea, Manti, and Zeezrom. The term 'I' refers to Helaman. Helaman arrived at the city of Judea from the direction not in control by the Lamanites. This would be from the north. This means the city of Judea is to the north of the lands of Manti, Zeezrom, Cumeni, and Antiparah.

ALMA 26:19 [56:18]: And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received a greater strength to his army, they were compelled, by the orders of Ammoron, to not come against the city of Judea, or against us, to battle.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, Cumeni, Judea, Manti, and Zeezrom. The Lamanites were in control of Antiparah, Cumeni, Manti, and Zeezrom. Judea would be the next city to attack. This places the city of Judea next to these other cities.

ALMA 26:24 [56:22]: And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about, to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night, nor by day, to make an attack upon our other cities, which were on the northward;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Judea. Nephi cities were northward of Lamanite control. Lamanites were in the vicinity of the city of Judea. The phrase 'our other cities, which were northward' indicates other Nephi cities were northward of the city of Judea. This places Judea in the southward portion of the Nephite lands.

ALMA 26:28 [56:25]: Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, Cumeni, Judea, Nephihah, a ridge between the headwaters of the river Sidon and the city of Nephihah, river Sidon, river Sidon (headwaters), and Zarahemla. Helaman is making this statement and he is in Judea at this time. The Lamanites are currently in control of the cities of Antiparah, Cumeni, and Zeezrom. This verse is talking about some of the options the Lamanites do not have. The phrase 'march down' means that the cities of Antiparah, Cumeni, and Zeezrom are higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. Since the Lamanites are in control of these cities, this verse describes a general line from the lands of Antiparah, Cumeni, and Zeezrom to the land of Nephihah by way of the headwaters of the river Sidon. The phrase 'over to' means there is a ridge between the head (headwaters) of the river Sidon and the city of Nephihah. This makes sense since headwaters of rivers are typically near a ridge.

ALMA 26:35 [56:30]: Therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons, to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, the city beyond the city of Antiparah and the city of Judea. The term 'I' refers to Helaman. Helaman marched forth from the city of Judea to the city beyond the city of Antiparah, which is the neighboring city. By being a neighboring city, the land about the city beyond the city of Antiparah is next to the land of Judea. The route from the city of Judea to the city beyond Antiparah is by the city of Antiparah. This places the land of Judea next to the land of Antiparah.

ALMA 26:36 [56:31]: And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as if we were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the sea-shore.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, a city beyond the city of Antiparah, and the Sea West. The term 'we' refers to Helaman in the city of Judea. The city near the city of Antiparah is by the seashore. Since the city of Antiparah is near the Sea West shore, the city beyond the city of Antiparah is on the Sea West shore. Since the city of Judea is also in proximity to the city beyond the city of Antiparah and going between them lies close the city of Antiparah, the three cities are in a general line. This places the city of Judea eastward of the city of Antiparah.

ALMA 26:39 [56:33]: But he did not march forth, until I had gone forth with my little army, and came near the city Antiparah.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, the city beyond the city of Antiparah, and Judea. The term 'he' refers to Antipus. The term 'I' refers to Helaman. The army went from the city of Judea to a spot near the city of Antiparah. Given that the city of Judea and the city beyond the city of Antiparah were in Nephite control and all three places were next to each other, this spot near the city of Antiparah would be on the north side of the city of Antiparah.

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 26:48 [56:39]: Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we did continue our march; and we took our march into the wilderness.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Judea and the wilderness around Judea. The term 'we' refers to Helaman and his army. The term 'their' refers to the Lamanite army from the city of Antiparah that was chasing Helaman. The direction of the march was northward of the city of Antiparah. This would put their location westward of the city of Judea, so the wilderness around the city of Judea is westward of the city of Judea. Their location at this time was one day's march northward of the city of Antiparah. The phrase 'into the wilderness' indicates that they went from an area that was not wilderness to an area that was a wilderness.

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 26:68 [56:57]: And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those men who were not slain of Antipus, with them;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Judea, the wilderness around Judea, and Zarahemla. The term 'we' refers to Helaman. Their current location is in the wilderness around the Land of Judea.

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 26:77 [57:7]: And it came to pass that it was our desire to wage a battle with the army which was placed to protect the city Cumeni.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, Cumeni, and Judea. Helaman was in the city of Antiparah at this time after having captured the city. With the city of Judea and Antiparah in control of the Nephites, the next city for their attention is the city of Cumeni. This would indicate that the city of Antiparah is next to the city of Cumeni. This also partially confirms that the list in Alma 26:15 [56:13] listed cities in geographical order.

ALMA 26:83 [57:11]: Therefore it became expedient that we should take those provisions and send them to Judea and our prisoners to the land of Zarahemla.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Judea and Zarahemla. The land of Judea and the land of Zarahemla are in proximity to each other.

Map