Why would the Book of Mormon use the biblical and archaic meaning of “prolong”?

In Mosiah 21:35 we read:

They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts; nevertheless they did prolong the time; and an account of their baptism shall be given hereafter.

The word “prolong” usually means to “extend”, however the usage of the word in Mosiah 21:35 is more in keeping with a much older meaning to “delay”. This meaning is used in the Bible in several verses such as Ezekiel 12:28:

Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.

Stanford Carmack notes how this meaning of the word is Early Modern English which is centuries earlier than Joseph Smith’s day. 

Did Joseph Smith study the Bible so well that he noticed this word? Why do most people not notice this after a lifetime of study?

See:

• Evidence Central – Book of Mormon Evidence: Biblical Language

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