Where is the Book of Jasher Mentioned in the Bible?
The Book of Jasher has intrigued scholars and biblical enthusiasts for centuries. Often referred to as a “missing” book of the Bible, it is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. But where exactly is it mentioned, and what does it signify? In this article, we will explore the references to the Book of Jasher in the Bible and delve into its significance.
The first mention of the Book of Jasher is found in Joshua 10:13. After Joshua and the Israelites had defeated the Amorites, the angel of the Lord instructed Joshua to “Remember the word of Moses, the servant of the Lord, which he commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest, and he has given the land of your enemies to you’.” Joshua then responds by saying, “The sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had avenged themselves on their enemies” (Joshua 10:12-13). The angel then tells Joshua, “These are the words of the Lord to Joshua, ‘By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do this work, for the Lord has turned the rivers into a wall for you around the city, and the waters have gone out toward the sea as they do till this day'” (Joshua 10:14). In response, Joshua exclaims, “Save us, O Lord our God! Who will save us from the hand of our enemies?” And the angel answers, “Do not fear, for the Lord has given you rest to all around you; the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Joshua 10:15). Joshua then asks the angel, “What shall I say to the people of Israel who are wandering in the wilderness, for they are faint with hunger?” The angel replies, “Give this word to the people of Israel: ‘You shall be hungry no more, thirsty no more, neither shall the sun beat down on you, nor any scorching wind. For the Lord will go before you by day and by night to protect you, to bring you to the place He has prepared for you’.” Joshua then instructs the people to “take a large heap of stones and set it up as a monument for yourselves. Put the tablets of the covenant in it and build an altar to the Lord your God. Offer burnt offerings, sacrifices, and feast offerings on the altar of the Lord your God’.” The people respond by saying, “Hear us, O Lord! God, the God of Israel, give us favor before this man, for we have sinned against Him” (Joshua 10:16-18).
The second mention of the Book of Jasher is found in 2 Samuel 1:18. After the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan, David mourns their loss. He writes a lament for Saul and Jonathan, which includes the following verse: “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women” (2 Samuel 1:26). In the next verse, David adds, “How the mighty have fallen! Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life they were beautiful, and in death they were not forsaken. They are honored and praised in the land of the living, for they have died in the Lord; their bodies are buried at Hebron, and their names will never be forgotten” (2 Samuel 1:27). In verse 18, David writes, “They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions; you went forth in the cause of truth, in the cause of goodness, in the cause of justice, and in the cause of righteousness, O Lord, who will bring to the earth what He has declared from heaven? The Book of Jasher also tells of these things” (2 Samuel 1:18).
These are the primary references to the Book of Jasher in the Bible. While the book itself is not included in the canon, its mention in these passages suggests that it was considered a reliable source of historical information. The Book of Jasher has been a subject of much debate and speculation over the years, with some scholars believing it to be a lost book of the Bible, while others argue that it may have been a separate work that was not included in the canon due to various reasons. Regardless of its true nature, the Book of Jasher remains a topic of interest for those who seek to understand the historical context of the biblical narratives.
