This is the land of Melek. Due to the practice of naming a land by the same name as the city, it is presumed to also be the city of Melek. The land of Melek is southward of the city (and land) of Ammonihah, westward of the river Sidon, in proximity to the land of Jershon, and may be in proximity to the land of Zarahemla. The land of Melek is in between, and along a navigational route between, the land of Zarahemla and the land of Antionum. This would put the land of Melek southward of the land of Zarahemla. There is a wilderness around the land of Melek on only one side of the land.
Commentaries (
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ALMA 6:4 [8:3]: And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma departed from thence, and took his journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Melek, a ridge between Melek and Zarahemla, the river Sidon, the wilderness around Melek, and Zarahemla. The land of Melek is west of the river Sidon. From the relative locations of the lands in the area, the land of Melek may be south of the land of Minon. There is wilderness by the land of Melek. The term 'borders' indicates the wilderness had a boundary near the land of Melek. The phrase 'over into' means there is a ridge between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Melek.
ALMA 6:6 [8:5]: And it came to pass that the people came to him throughout all the borders of the land which was by the wilderness side.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Melek and the wilderness around Melek. This verse indicates that there is wilderness on only one side of the land of Melek. From Alma 6:4 [8:3], the phrase 'on the west by the borders of the wilderness' would put the wilderness side on the westward side of the land.
ALMA 6:7 [8:6]: And they were baptized throughout all the land, so that when he had finished his work at Melek, he departed thence, and traveled three days' journey on the north of the land of Melek; and he came to a city which was called Ammonihah.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah and Melek. The city of Ammonihah is to the north of the land of Melek. The journey started on the west side of the land of Melek and they journeyed to the north to the city of Ammonihah in 3 days, so the city of Ammonihah is in close proximity to the land of Melek.
ALMA 16:83 [31:6]: Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three he took with him, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek; and he also took two of his sons.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum, Melek, and Zarahemla. The land of Melek is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla or on the way from the land of Zarahemla to the land of Antionum.
ALMA 16:254 [35:13]: And the people of Ammon departed out of the land of Jershon, and came over into the land of Melek, and gave place in the land of Jershon for the armies of the Nephites, that they might contend with the armies of the Lamanites, and the armies of the Zoramites;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum, Jershon, Melek, and a ridge between the land of Jershon and the land of Melek. The land of Melek is in proximity to the land of Jershon. The phrase 'came over' means that there is a ridge between the land of Jershon and the land of Melek. The Zoramites were in the land of Antionum.
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