Customer Reviews

The Book of Jasher

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am doing a comprehensive study of the Bible and am very grateful to have picked up this book.

First let me say, this is not scripture. This is a secular history book. It deals with the history between the creation and up to Joshua. Actually just after Joshua. Some may question some of the accuracies in the book, but like all ancient manuscripts there are some questionable material. Still, it reads very easy and gives some insights into several of the stories in Genesis.

Very good book, and its nice to read something of antiquity versus reading a modern interpretation on history from some guy 4-6 thousand years removed from the time of the first 5 books of the Bible. IE, ancient texts have more validity than old opinionated professors with agendas. Read the book and formulate your own mind.

I found the Book of Jasher absolutely facsinating. It fills in many, of the perhaps unnecesary, details in Old Testament stories.
I found it exteremely credible except for the story related by Anah in Chap 30:20-33 which sound like Greek mythology. However it may truly record the report of Anah irrespective of whether Anah was telling the truth.
I find the explanation of Melchezidec epecially confirminmg as I had graphed in timeline the longevities of the patriarchs and knew through that study that Noah and Shem lived at the same time as Abraham.
I am still thorougly enjoying this book.

Actually, there is nothing "Mormon" about this "rendition" whatsoever. The publisher and the introduction by Jeffrey Marsh are mormon but the rendition itself is not. This English rendition was first published in 1840 by a non-Mormon publisher. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism said a favorable comment about it and then a mormon publishing company(J.H.Parry) acquired the copyright to it and republished it in 1887. The 1840 edition was actually published by a Jew and point in fact this is the only "book of Jasher" that has any possibility of being the actual lost book of the bible, that is actually based on a Hebrew text. The English rendering is actually a very good translation of the Hebrew. This Hebrew text does exist and is available (I have 4 Hebrew copies of it myself). The oldest copy of the Hebrew text that is now known to exist was printed in 1625. Needless to say, this is long before the Mormon religion came on the scene. So no, this is not a Mormon rendition, and no, it really is based on a Hebrew original. Is it folklore? Lets just let one decide that for themself but please lets not be so hasty. There is a vast amount of parallels with Jasher and other ancient literature, such as the Talmud and other Jewish writings. But there are not only Jewish parallels! There are also great similarities with other ancient literature such as greek mythology(which may be based on a seed of truth), and the Koran. Actually, there are many reasons to believe that this book dates much farther back than 1625 and may in fact be the book mentioned twice by the Bible. So please dont just pass up this book based on the comments of people who really shouldnt be trying to educate others on things in which they are ignorant. Check it out for yourself. I find the book of Jasher to be exciting, informative and inspiring! But there are publishers and versions that you might find more informative(...sorry Jeffrey, but the middle paragraph on page X of your introduction "smack"s too close to plagiarism of "Appendix A" of Wayne Simpsons version. I can handle your Mormon views but simply copying anothers work is not fair to the original author).

This book is written in such a way that it enhances the first five books of the bible. It goes into much greater detail on the stories we all have learned by reading the holy bible. One example is the hate / love relationship between Esau and Jacob. This is a significant historical record as the Book of Jasher is mentioned in both I Samuel and Joshua.

The Book of Jasher
It will be often impossible to determine whether many of the stories in the book are entirely true. My take is that many of them are not. It seems a compilation of legends and popular stories mixed with true facts. It has been extremely entertaining to read, even more entertaining than the Bible itself. Some of the accounts differ from the Genesis and from LDS books such as Moses and Abrahan, and in most cases add a lot of details and dialogues which are fun to read.
It also seems to me that the authors or compilers were very concerned to convey moral lessons in the stories they put there.
Like other reviewers have noticed, the precision of dates and locations is remarkable.
I was fascinated with the description of the tribal origins and original settlements of many European, African and Asian nations down to the sons of Noah.
Overall, I'm glad I got it, it is definitely a book that belong in a special shelf for me.

I really like this book because of the biblical accounts in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua fill in the blanks the King James Version did not include. I felt like I was right there as history was unfolding with every account given. I don't have to guess what all happen during the great Deluge and during and after the Tower of Babel. I was able to learn more about Nimrod, Abraham and other bibical figures.
I also like the book cover, it is colorful showing Egypt link during bibical times.

I really loved this book, it shed so much light to the Bible Stories, like Cain being killed by Lamech and the Stolen Garment associated with the Curse of Ham...

The Book is awesome... well worth the bucks!!!

My Comment for you if you wanna buy it is:

Just DO IT!

Purchasing The Book of Jasher has satisfied me greatly. I thank Amazon Books for having this kind of book that edify kind of reader like me. I have been reading The Holy Scriptures for a long time, and in it, a few books are cited that are not found in Bible canon. The book of Jasher is one of them. No so many people know the content of this book. I wonder why the canon makers have left out this precious literature as well as the book of Enoch, which I bought in Amazon as well. The Bible as it is composed by actual Roman canon is missing lots of information that are essential for the formation of the truth believers. Both books above mentioned are pieces of jewelry in understanding ancient scriptures, and it is good to count on a house like Amazon Books that for a modest price brings to us such of uncommon information.

Whether this is the actual book mentioned in the Bible or a corrupted version of it, the Book of Jasher is an interesting read. I agree with the author of the original translation's introduction as to it probably not being inspired (in the same way the Bible is). Whatever the view one takes on its level of inspiration, the book definitely paints many of the well-known stories from the first six books of the Bible with a more detailed and sometimes fantastic description. From the relationship of Cain and Abel and the events leading to Abel's death, to the various wars in the Middle East during the time of Joshua, this book is definitely entertaining.

I can understand why this book was left out of the Bible, but really glad it wasn't trashed!! I got the full writtings off the web and loved that also. Liz