The Book of Jasher Referred to in Joshua and Second Samuel
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The Book of Jasher Referred to in Joshua and Second Samuel Author(s): Anonymous Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: The original Book of Jasher referred to in the Old Testament has not survived into the present. Two creative fabrications gained prominence, however. This 1840 translation is of a 13th century reconstruction of the original, which, according to tradition, contained alternate accounts of Jewish heroes meant for moral instruction and edification. First published in Salt Lake City, the work has consequently sparked the particular interest of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Kathleen O©Bannon CCEL Staff Writer Subjects: The Bible Old Testament Special parts of the Old Testament i Contents Title Page 1 Introduction 2 Contents 23 Chapter 1 24 Chapter 2 28 Chapter 3 32 Chapter 4 36 Chapter 5 38 Chapter 6 41 Chapter 7 45 Chapter 8 50 Chapter 9 54 Chapter 10 58 Chapter 11 62 Chapter 12 68 Chapter 13 75 Chapter 14 79 Chapter 15 82 Chapter 16 87 Chapter 17 91 Chapter 18 93 Chapter 19 98 Chapter 20 104 Chapter 21 107 Chapter 22 111 Chapter 23 116 ii Chapter 24 124 Chapter 25 129 Chapter 26 132 Chapter 27 136 Chapter 28 138 Chapter 29 141 Chapter 30 146 Chapter 31 149 Chapter 32 156 Chapter 33 163 Chapter 34 168 Chapter 35 175 Chapter 36 178 Chapter 37 182 Chapter 38 187 Chapter 39 193 Chapter 40 200 Chapter 41 206 Chapter 42 210 Chapter 43 216 Chapter 44 221 Chapter 45 230 Chapter 46 233 Chapter 47 235 Chapter 48 239 Chapter 49 246 Chapter 50 251 Chapter 51 255 Chapter 52 261 Chapter 53 266 Chapter 54 270 Chapter 55 281 iii Chapter 56 285 Chapter 57 292 Chapter 58 297 Chapter 59 301 Chapter 60 303 Chapter 61 307 Chapter 62 310 Chapter 63 313 Chapter 64 317 Chapter 65 322 Chapter 66 326 Chapter 67 329 Chapter 68 335 Chapter 69 338 Chapter 70 339 Chapter 71 344 Chapter 72 346 Chapter 73 350 Chapter 74 354 Chapter 75 356 Chapter 76 358 Chapter 77 363 Chapter 78 367 Chapter 79 369 Chapter 80 374 Chapter 81 380 Chapter 82 385 Chapter 83 388 Chapter 84 392 Chapter 85 395 Chapter 86 401 Chapter 87 402 iv Chapter 88 403 Chapter 89 409 Chapter 90 414 Chapter 91 419 Indexes 421 Index of Scripture References 422 v This PDF file is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, www.ccel.org. The mission of the CCEL is to make classic Christian books available to the world. • This book is available in PDF, HTML, ePub, and other formats. See http://www.ccel.org/ccel/anonymous/jasher.html. • Discuss this book online at http://www.ccel.org/node/2997. The CCEL makes CDs of classic Christian literature available around the world through the Web and through CDs. We have distributed thousands of such CDs free in developing countries. If you are in a developing country and would like to receive a free CD, please send a request by email to [email protected]. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a self supporting non-profit organization at Calvin College. If you wish to give of your time or money to support the CCEL, please visit http://www.ccel.org/give. This PDF file is copyrighted by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. It may be freely copied for non-commercial purposes as long as it is not modified. All other rights are re- served. Written permission is required for commercial use. vi Title Page Title Page The BOOK OF JASHER REFERRED TO IN JOSHUA AND SECOND SAMUEL. FAITHFULLY TRANSLATED (1840) FROM THE ORIGINAL HEBREW INTO ENGLISH SALT LAKE CITY: PUBLISHED BY J.H. PARRY & COMPANY 1887. "Is not this written in the Book of Jasher?"--Joshua, x. 13. "Behold it is written in the Book of Jasher."--II Samuel, i. 18 1 Introduction Introduction The Authentic Annals Of The Early Hebrews - Is It The "Real" Book of Jasher? It is understandable that some may feel that it is impossible or unlikely that this volume could really be the original book of Jasher. The issue is compounded by the existence of several works by the name Sefer Hayasher. I have in my possession a copy of Sefer Hayasher - The Book Of The Righteous, edited and translated by Seymour J. Cohen. It is clearly not a book of history, but an ethical text that was probably written in the 13th century. Its introduction cites several other "Books of Jasher", some of which are no longer known to be in existence, such as that by Zerahiah Ha- Yevani of the 13th century. There is also known to have been one written by Rabbi Jacob ben Mier of the 12th century, and one by Rabbi Jonah ben Abraham of Gerona of the 14th century. We are told of a work by that title from the Amoraim period (3rd to 6th centuries) that is characterized as containing "for the most part sayings of the sages of the first and second centuries". So, this title has been a popular one for rabbinical writings, but most are clearly not intended to have been passed off as the book mentioned in the Bible. There is one notable exception which I will mention later. The first step in dealing with the question of authenticity is to simply read the book with an open mind. One cannot effectively investigate the matter unless he is familiar with it. After all, according to Solomon, "He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him". (Proverbs 18:13). The reader will find that it reads very much like the Bible, except that many passages are replete with details that are not recorded in the Bible. There are digressions from the biblical narrative that show concurrent events in other parts of the world. There are chapters dealing wholly with events in Egypt or events in Europe. Much of this material can be recognized from other works of ancient history. To anyone familiar with ancient history, it will be obvious that Jasher places these events in a radically different time period than do conventional historians. To be sure, if Jasher be true, there needs to be a radical alteration in the conventional interpretation of ancient history, especially in the area of chronology. There is little of consequence at variance with the Bible. There are some chronological features that differ, but these can usually be attributed to a textual error. Usually the error will be resolved by reading on. A later entry will fall into harmony with the Bible text. Re- member that the ancient scrolls of this book were in poor condition when the book was printed in Hebrew in 1613. It is not unlikely that some numbers could get scrambled. There are a couple mysterious accounts of incidents that smack of Greek or Roman mythology, such as the story of Zepho, the grandson of Esau who slew a half human monster in a large cave. This account is easily recognized as the same story as that of Theseus, who slew the minotaur. The characters and the setting are different. A critical reader may object to this material, but many valid explanations are possible concerning why this and other 2 Introduction such events were recorded in this book. The original author may have simply reported those things because they were popular folklore of his day. Such stories are merely mentioned in passing and no significance is attached to them. Though one might doubt the veracity of these tales, there is nothing here that should dissuade an objective reader from the opinion that this book is genuine.Even the most casual reader will find Jasher enlightening. Accounts in the Bible can be made more lucid and easier to understand with the background of Jasher in mind. The next issue to investigate in regard to the authenticity of this book is the two passages which mention the book by name. The first is Joshua 10.12-13: "... and he [Joshua] said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened to the voice of man: for the Lord fought for Israel." And now compare it with the following passage in Jasher 88.63-64: "...and Joshua said in the sight of all the people, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou moon in the valley of Ajalon, until the nation shall have revenged itself upon its enemies... And the sun stood still in the midst of the heavens, and it stood still six and thirty moments, and the moon also stood still and hastened not to go down a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened to the voice of man, for the Lord fought for Israel." A comparison of the text preceding also shows a high degree of correlation, indicating that much more than a couple of verses was probably quoted by the Bible writer. A second mention of the Book of Jasher occurs in II Samuel 1.17. In contrast, this incid- ent is not a direct quotation of a historical event from Jasher, as is the case in Joshua.