Bethabara and Nahom/Nehem/Nehhm

[master_dc]

The most recent Midnight Mormons is an interview with Jim Gee, the man who "uncovered" the oldest maps that mention Nehem (1751) and Nehhm (1771). It feels like a heartlanders presentation, and has a laughable moment when they gang of three declares in a state of shock that:

"we have uncovered something that ... no one has seen this...".

In the best narrator voice: People have, in 2008: The Nahom Maps. Book of Mormon Central also discuss this topic.

Jim Gee claims to be showcasing maps from the 16th century, and they appear to be in pristine condition, and he handles them, from my point of view, in a reckless manner. The two maps in question have Nehem and Nehhm in Yemen.

I guess I am failing to see the significance of these "discoveries" as I have now done a few quick searches on google and found that these two maps were considered the best maps of that region during the time period and where used by other map/atlas makers as references for their works in the 1800's. Am I missing anything in this saga that should move the needle to this being a significant discovery?

In a similar video, the topic of Bethabara is brought up. To be honest, I never knew there was an argument to be had regarding this.

In this video, Jim Gee claims that "Lehi was right" and modern scholars are wrong about the actual location of John the Baptist's baptisms. He claims that the maps he has hunted down (oldest maps of the region, from the crusades, but you wouldn't believe it watching him handle them) and purchased show the true of location of the baptisms, and it is not the location modern scholars believe to be Bethany (near Jericho). Allegedly Bethabara (Bethbara) is only named in the original version of the King James Bible, the original Greek text, and the Book of Mormon.

The argument, per Jim Gee and Midnight Mormons is that Lehi is the source of truth when it come to the location of Christ's baptism. But the problem is, John 1:28 in the KJV also states Bethabara... Why is this shocking? Just because others have claimed Bethany? Joseph stuck with the source material.

Also, Jim Gee is stealing credit from the works of others. Here is a link to a Bible dictionary from 1897 that mentions this as a possible hit.

What a train wreck... This Jim Gee guy is something else. Then you have the ridiculous off camera reactions of the Cardon, Brad, and Kwaku.

[drumdude]

Thank you for your service in making it through an entire episode of midnight Mormons to report back. I know I wouldn’t have the stomach for it.

[Res Ipsa]

I don't think you're missing anything. So, it's possible that Smith made a slight change to a name found on a map. But, if I recall correctly, the place marked Nehem on the old maps is on the wrong side of a formidable mountain range from where Lehi's family would have been traveling given the descriptions in the Book of Mormon. So, ***shrug***

[malkie]

I don't think you're missing anything. So, it's possible that Smith made a slight change to a name found on a map. But, if I recall correctly, the place marked Nehem on the old maps is on the wrong side of a formidable mountain range from where Lehi's family would have been traveling given the descriptions in the Book of Mormon. So, ***shrug***

If I recall correctly, DrW thoroughly demolished the apologetic claims for Nehem.

[Res Ipsa]

I don't think you're missing anything. So, it's possible that Smith made a slight change to a name found on a map. But, if I recall correctly, the place marked Nehem on the old maps is on the wrong side of a formidable mountain range from where Lehi's family would have been traveling given the descriptions in the Book of Mormon. So, ***shrug***

If I recall correctly, DrW thoroughly demolished the apologetic claims for Nehem.

I think that’s right. As well as Bountiful.

[Moksha]

... it is not the location modern scholars believe to be Bethany (near Jericho). Allegedly Bethabara (Bethbara) is only named in the original version of the King James Bible, the original Greek text, and the Book of Mormon.

This was first suggested by Origen of Alexandria.

[master_dc]

The level of deception and lack of critical thinking displayed in these videos hurts my brain. Joseph Smith didn't change the spelling for Bethabara, Lehi references the same location as John 1:28, and yet the claim is, Lehi got it right where other biblical scholars are wrong by changing it to Bethany. C'mon man, it is in the Bible the Joseph Smith studied from. Lehi made 0 changes to the KJV Bible version of location.

I do think the fluidity of the spelling of Nahom/Nehem/NHM is difficult for either side of the argument. I would say that the Nehem could be Nahom is plausible. In my very limited research, city/area names in the region of the world had multiple spellings, depending on the country of origin of the cartographer. But the "a" and "o" in Joseph Smith spelling seem to be unique.

But beyond that, If Nehem is Nahom, the apologists (and Jim Gee) have to deal with Nehem being written on multiple maps/atlas' that were popular during the early 18th century. Proving that he had access is not an easy task, but they were available.

https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail ... d-sea-cary