Jasher, Book of
What Was the Book of Jasher?
The Book of Jasher (also spelled Jashar, meaning "the upright" or "the righteous") was an ancient collection of poetry and songs that celebrated the heroic deeds of Israel's leaders and warriors. Though the book itself has not survived, it is directly cited in at least two places in the Old Testament, confirming that it was a well-known and authoritative source for the biblical writers.
Biblical References
The most dramatic citation occurs in Joshua 10:13, where the author quotes the Book of Jasher in connection with Joshua's famous command for the sun to stand still during the battle of Beth-horon against the Amorite kings. The passage records that "the sun stood still in the midst of heaven" and did not set for about a whole day, and this extraordinary event was written in the Book of Jasher.
The second reference appears in 2 Samuel 1:18, where David commands that his lament over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, known as the "Song of the Bow," be taught to the people of Judah. The text notes that this song was recorded in the Book of Jasher. Some scholars also suggest that the Septuagint text of 1 Kings 8:53 may contain an additional reference to this work.
Nature and Contents
Based on the surviving citations, the Book of Jasher appears to have been an anthology of heroic poetry, somewhat analogous to collections of war songs and victory hymns found in other ancient Near Eastern cultures. It likely contained celebrations of God's mighty acts on behalf of Israel, memorial poems for fallen heroes, and records of significant military victories.
Why Did It Not Survive?
Many ancient Israelite texts referenced in the Bible did not survive, including the Book of the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14), the chronicles of various kings, and prophetic records. These works served as source documents for the biblical writers but were not preserved as part of the canonical scriptures. The Book of Jasher's loss reminds us that the Bible drew upon a rich literary culture in ancient Israel.
Modern Books Claiming the Title
Several later works have been published under the title "Book of Jasher," but none are the original text. A medieval Hebrew work from the 12th or 13th century AD bears this title but is a much later composition. Another English forgery appeared in 1751. These later works should not be confused with the ancient Israelite source cited in Scripture.
Biblical Context
The Book of Jasher is cited in Joshua 10:13 (the sun standing still at Beth-horon) and 2 Samuel 1:18 (David's lament for Saul and Jonathan). It was an ancient Israelite collection of heroic poetry that served as a source document for the biblical writers but did not survive as part of the biblical canon.
Theological Significance
The Book of Jasher demonstrates that the biblical writers drew upon earlier literary traditions to compose their inspired accounts. Its citations confirm God's extraordinary intervention in Israel's battles and the deep emotional bonds between Israel's leaders. The work illustrates how Israel preserved memory of God's mighty acts through poetry and song.
Historical Background
The Book of Jasher likely dates to the period of the Judges or early monarchy, given its references to events from Joshua's conquest through David's reign. Similar collections of war poetry and heroic songs were common throughout the ancient Near East. The work's loss is part of a broader pattern in which many ancient Israelite source documents referenced in Scripture did not survive independently.