12 And the Lord have removed men far away, for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
13 But yet there shall be a tenth, and they shall return, and shall be eaten, as a teil tree, and as an oak whose substance is in them when they cast their leaves; so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
2 Nephi 16:12-13
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/16?lang=eng
What struck me this evening was the "tenth" used in verse 13. This was Nephi quoting Isaiah, who was describing the coming destruction of the House of Israel. First in the Northern Kingdoms, then in Judah.
So, what does a "tenth" mean in this scripture?
I've thought of a tenth of something to have the symbolism of a tithe.
Could this be the fruits of a tithe? Where the "holy seed" is brought back, albeit in bondage and slavery, to provide remnants of the House of Israel (descendents of David) to produce the lineage and backdrop for the Messiah?
These are just a few random thoughts.
Back to your regularly scheduled program.
