The article "Test #6 Relative Distances" explains why we need to understand the Nephite meaning of our English word "many." I am patiently working through John L. Sorenson's foundational series of Book of Mormon geography works (An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon 1985 415 pages, The Geography of Book of Mormon Events: A Source Book 1992 revised edition 415 pages, Mormon's Map 2000 158 pages, and Mormon's Codex 2013 826 pages), appreciating his prodigious effort while documenting his myriad inconsistencies. 2 Nephi 5:7 says Nephi and his followers traveled many days in the wilderness to get from the coastal land of first inheritance to the city of Nephi. How far would that have been?
One day's travel in Nephite parlance was probably about 15 air kilometers. See the article "Land Southward Travel Times" referenced frequently in this blog. But, how many were many days? Contemporary English speakers would not call 2 days "many." What about 3, 4, or 5 days?
The problem for Book of Mormon interpretation is on the low end of the range. It is clear from the text that on the high end "many" can refer to dozens 1 Nephi 13:1, hundreds 3 Nephi 7:4, thousands Ether 10:17 or even tens of thousands Helaman 3:5.
Words of Mormon 1:2 tells us that approximately 3.8 were considered many hundred years.
Helaman 1:3-4 tells us that 4 or more were considered many sons.
Jacob 4:4 tells us that approximately 5.4 were considered many hundred years.
Alma 16:11 coupled with Alma 49:2-3 tells us that 7-9 were considered many years.
1 Nephi 17:4 tells us that 8 were considered many years.
Mosiah 10:3 tells us that 22 were considered many years.
Mosiah 7:4 tells us that 40 were considered many days.
These data show that 4 or more of something could have been called "many" in Nephite usage.
"Many" contrasts with "few" in Alma 26:31. How many were few?
3 Nephi 6:3-4, 9-10, and 16 tell us that 3 were considered a few years.
Zeezrom asked Amulek 8 questions Alma 11:21-38 which he considered a few questions Alma 11:21.
Mosiah 20:5 tells us that 24 were considered few Lamanite daughters.
One day's travel in Nephite parlance was probably about 15 air kilometers. See the article "Land Southward Travel Times" referenced frequently in this blog. But, how many were many days? Contemporary English speakers would not call 2 days "many." What about 3, 4, or 5 days?
The problem for Book of Mormon interpretation is on the low end of the range. It is clear from the text that on the high end "many" can refer to dozens 1 Nephi 13:1, hundreds 3 Nephi 7:4, thousands Ether 10:17 or even tens of thousands Helaman 3:5.
Words of Mormon 1:2 tells us that approximately 3.8 were considered many hundred years.
Helaman 1:3-4 tells us that 4 or more were considered many sons.
Jacob 4:4 tells us that approximately 5.4 were considered many hundred years.
Alma 16:11 coupled with Alma 49:2-3 tells us that 7-9 were considered many years.
1 Nephi 17:4 tells us that 8 were considered many years.
Mosiah 10:3 tells us that 22 were considered many years.
Mosiah 7:4 tells us that 40 were considered many days.
These data show that 4 or more of something could have been called "many" in Nephite usage.
"Many" contrasts with "few" in Alma 26:31. How many were few?
3 Nephi 6:3-4, 9-10, and 16 tell us that 3 were considered a few years.
Zeezrom asked Amulek 8 questions Alma 11:21-38 which he considered a few questions Alma 11:21.
Mosiah 20:5 tells us that 24 were considered few Lamanite daughters.