The lofty branches in Zenos' allegory

There are numerous possibilities to dig deep and learn important principles in Jacob 5. One verse that stood out to me

And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted? (Jacob 5:48)

The message in this verse is that the branches (people, nations) are too lofty (lifted up in pride) and thereby overcome the roots (covenants) which are good. With the symbolism given in the brackets in place, consider this sentence: "They grow faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves". People are lifted up in pride and thereby taking strength unto themselves rather than acquiring spiritual strength from the covenants of the Lord.The loftiness removes them too far from the roots/covenants so they don't get the spiritual nourishment from them that they otherwise could have received. A profound description of pride and its effects. I find it amazing how Zenos can teach such principles by an allegory without compromising the factual descriptions of how olive trees are cultivated.

I researched a bit about "lofty". I think the most likely candidate in the Nephite language comes from the Hebrew root, רָ֣ם "ram", typically translated as lofty, high or exalted in the Bible. The reason I believe this is

1. It is the most common Hebrew word in Old Testament with this meaning. It is believed that the Nephite's reformed Egyptian was based on Egyptian script but the Hebrew spoken language.
2. The root, "ram" definitely existed in the language on the plates, most likely with the Hebrew meaning of "lofty". Rameumptom is described as "holy stand" and "a place of standing, which was high above the head" (Alma 31:13,21). In Ether 15:11, "Ramah" is the name of a hill.

It seems we're back at the lifted up in pride/lifted up by God theme yet again. Repeating one of the scriptures that have been quoted in this context before on this blog

12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up (Isaiah 2)

All the uses of the Hebrew root, "ram", are marked with bold. Again we find parallels between Zenos and Isaiah. Verse 13 is even about trees that are "ram"/lofty/high. Just like Zenos, they are symbolic of people. Avraham Gileadi comments

While the preceding passage depicts the idolatry and pride of Jehovah’s people (vv 6-12), this passage portrays Jehovah’s Day of Judgment coming on a series of geo-physical objects. That disparity is resolved when we discern the objects’ metaphorical meaning: they, too, represent peoples and their transitory human establishment: “Mountains” and “hills” represent large and small nations (cf. vv 2-3); “cedars” and “oaks” designate people (Isaiah 14:8; 61:3; Psalm 92:12)

Thus, both Zenos and Isaiah talk about lofty trees that symbolize people who have lifted themselves in pride, removing themselves too far from the covenants. Because of that, they will be brought down. Zenos describes it as "hewn down and cast into the fire" (Jacob 5:42, 46, 66). Isaiah describes it as being "humbled", "bowed down" and "brought low" (Isaiah 2:11-12).