Joseph Smith translated a single symbol (see image) with the following explanation:

“It was made after the form of a bedstead, such as was had among the Chaldeans, and it stood before the Gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and also a God like unto that of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. That you may have an understanding of these Gods, I have given you the fashion of them in the figures at the beginning, which manner of figures is called by the Chaldeans Rahleenos, which signifies hieroglyphics.”

However, the symbol in question—written in hieratic, not hieroglyphic script—simply means water. Depending on context, it can carry related meanings such as drown, flood, irrigate, besprinkle, wash, drink, river, brook, and so on. The hieroglyphic equivalent is virtually identical in meaning. Typically, this symbol is interpreted as a single word; at most, a very simple symbol like this might require two or three English words for a full translation.

According to Joseph Smith’s rendering, however, this one hieratic character yields 75 English words—comprising 334 letters—without a single reference to water or any related concept. Can a single character credibly produce such a lengthy and unrelated translation? According to LDS believers, this was possible through divine inspiration. The Book of Abraham, which includes this translation, remains canonized scripture in the LDS Church.

As for the ‘Gods‘ referenced in the passage—Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, and Korash—historical evidence tells a different story: Elkenah is identified in the Bible as the husband of Hannah, not a deity; Libnah was an ancient city, not a god. The names Mahmackrah and Korash have no known historical or religious significance.