Topical Encyclopedia
The Book of Jashar, also referred to as the "Book of the Upright," is an ancient text mentioned in the Old Testament. It is considered a lost work, as no known copies exist today. The Book of Jashar is cited in two significant passages in the Bible, suggesting its importance in the historical and literary context of ancient Israel.
Biblical References:1.
Joshua 10:13 · The first mention of the Book of Jashar occurs in the account of Joshua's battle at Gibeon. The text records a miraculous event where the sun stood still to allow the Israelites more time to defeat their enemies. The Berean Standard Bible states: "So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day."
2.
2 Samuel 1:18 · The second reference is found in the lamentation of David over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. David's elegy, known as "The Song of the Bow," is said to be recorded in the Book of Jashar. The BSB reads: "and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. Indeed, it is written in the Book of Jashar."
Historical and Literary Significance:The Book of Jashar is believed to have been a collection of poetic writings or songs that celebrated the heroic deeds and significant events in Israel's history. Its title, "Jashar," meaning "upright" or "just," suggests that the book may have been a compilation of accounts or songs that exemplified righteousness and valor.
The references to the Book of Jashar in the Bible indicate that it was a well-known and respected source among the Israelites. Its inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of oral and written traditions in preserving the history and culture of God's chosen people.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the Book of Jashar serves as a reminder of God's intervention in the affairs of His people. The miraculous event of the sun standing still in Joshua's time and the poignant lament of David highlight God's sovereignty and the deep emotional connections within the covenant community.
While the Book of Jashar itself is lost, its mention in Scripture invites believers to reflect on the ways God has acted in history and to appreciate the rich tapestry of biblical literature that has been preserved through divine providence.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JASHAR, BOOK OFja'-shar, jash'-ar (cepher ha-yashar; the King James Version Book of Jasher, margin "the book of the upright"): The title of an ancient Hebrew national song-book (literally, "book of the righteous one") from which two quotations are made in the Old Testament:
(1)Joshua 10:12-14, the command of Joshua to the sun and moon, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon.. Is not this written in the book of Jashar?" (see BETH-HORON; Septuagint in this place omits the reference to Jashar); and
(2)2 Samuel 1:8, "the song of the bow," or lament of David over Saul and Jonathan.
(3) Some conjecture a third extract in1 Kings 8:12, "Then spake Solomon, Yahweh hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness." The words of Yahweh are quoted by Septuagint in 8:53 as "written in the book of the song" (en biblio tes odes), and it is pointed out that the words "the song" (in Hebrew ha-shir) might easily be a corruption of ha-yashar. A similar confusion ("song" for "righteous") may explain the fact that the Peshitta Syriac of Joshua has for a title "the book of praises or hymns." The book evidently was a well-known one, and may have been a gradual collection of religious and national songs. It is conjectured that it may have included the So of Deborah (Judges 5), and older pieces now found in the Pentateuch (e.g.Genesis 4:23, 14;Genesis 9:25-27; 27:27-29); this, however, is uncertain. On the curious theories and speculations of the rabbis and others about the book (that it was the Book of the Law, of Genesis, etc.), with the fantastic reconstructive theory of Dr. Donaldson in his Jasbar, see the full article in HDB.
James Orr
Strong's Hebrew
3477. yashar -- straight, right... Word Origin from yashar Definition straight, right NASB Word Usage conscientious*
(1), fittest (1),
Jashar (2), just (1), proposal of peace (1), right (35
...Library
Joshua
... The answer is suggested by x.12, 13, where the historian appeals to the book of
Jashar in confirmation of an incident in Joshua's southern campaign....
Kings
... which Solomon dedicated the temple, only partially preserved in the Hebrew, are,
by a very probable emendation of the Greek text, taken from the book ofJashar...
Samuel
... than the time of Solomon, whose reign appears to have been marked by literary as
well as commercial activity.[1] [Footnote l: The Book ofJashar, whose latest...
The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... this early and flourishing period appeared the book of the Wars of Jehovah,(31)
a heroic anthology, celebrating warlike deeds; and the book ofJashar,(32) also...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... From the beginning of the monarchical epoch onwards, their scribes collected together
in the Book of the Wars of the Lord, the Book ofJashar, and in other...
The Prophetic and Priestly Documents
... Earliest of all and fundamental to all come the ancient traditions and the ancient
poetry, such as the book of the wars of Jehovah, and the book ofJashar....
Judges
... v. originally belonged to such a collection as the book of the wars of Jehovah or
the book ofJashar, and it is natural to suppose that other stories in the...
Index ii.
... I, cod., 141, 353. Jacob of Edessa, 116. Jamnia, 320, 439 f.Jashar, book of, 246.
Jebb, RC, 294, 309. Jeremiah, book of, 241 ff., 259 f.; Ep. of, 274 f....
Additional Notes.
... Further links of connexion appear between these passages, as in the reference in
each to the Book ofJashar; referred to also in the lament of David over Saul...
Genesis
... to have belonged to any of them. There were also collections of poetry,
such as the Book ofJashar (cf. Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1...
Thesaurus
Jashar (2 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JASHAR, BOOK OF. ja'-shar
... HDB. James Orr.
Multi-Version Concordance
Jashar (2 Occurrences). Joshua
...Jeshurun (4 Occurrences)
... Most commentators compare also "the Book ofJashar," and it has been held that
"Jashar" is similarly a name by which Israel is called. SeeJASHAR....
Recorded (141 Occurrences)
... (Is it not recorded in the book ofJashar?) So the... 2 Samuel 1:18 (It is recorded
in the book ofJashar for teaching to the sons of Judah) and he said: (BBE)....
Jasher (2 Occurrences)
... JASHER, BOOK OF. ja'-sher, jash'-er: the King James Version forJASHAR (which see),
and see BETH-HORON, THE BATTLE OF. Multi-Version Concordance...
Jasaelus
Jashen (1 Occurrence)
Lament (44 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 1:18 (and he bade them teach the children of Judah the song of the
bow: behold, it is written in the book ofJashar): (See NIV)....
Delayed (18 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:13 The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged
themselves of their enemies. Isn't this written in the book ofJashar?...
Avenged (34 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:13 The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged
themselves of their enemies. Isn't this written in the book ofJashar?...
Attackers (41 Occurrences)
... (Is it not recorded in the book ofJashar?) So the sun kept its place in the middle
of the heavens, and was waiting, and did not go down, for the space of a day...
Resources
What is the Book of Jasher and should it be in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
