"It was the custom for one fleeing for his life in the desert to seek protection in the tent of a great sheik, crying out, 'Ana dakhiluka', meaning 'I am thy suppliant', whereupon the host would place the hem of his robe over the guest's shoulder and declare him under his protection. In one instance in the Book of Mormon we see Nephi fleeing from an evil enemy that is pursuing him. In great danger, he prays the Lord to give him an open road in the low way, to block his pursuers, and to make them stumble. He comes to the Lord as a suppliant: 'O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! (2 Nephi 4:33). In reply, according to the ancient custom, the Master would then place the hem of his robe protectively over the kneeling man's shoulder (
kafata). This puts him under the Lord's protection from all enemies. They embrace in a close hug, as Arab chiefs still do: the Lord makes a place for him (see Alma 5:24) and invites him to sit down beside him - they are at-one. This is the imagery of the Atonement - the embrace: 'The Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love' (2 Nephi 1:15)."
- Hugh W. Nibley,
The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Part 1, Ensign July 1990
