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Book of Jasher Referred to in Joshua and Second Samuel

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The Book of Jasher, or "The Upright Record" is mentioned in the Old Testament twice (See Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18). Incidentally, "Jasher" is not a person's name but is the Hebrew word for "Upright." Like the Book of Jubilees, the Upright Record is a retelling of the Genesis story from a different person's perspective other than Moses'. It also contains a wealth of detail missing from Moses' abbreviated account. For those who wish to read this book, you should know that there are two books circulating that are entitled "The Book of Jasher." The one that is supposedly a ninth century translation by Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus (the Abbot of Canterbury and the religious tutor of Charlemagne) is an obvious forgery.

The books of Joshua and 2 Samuel in the Old Testament mention the Book of Jasher or "Upright Record" as a source of information for two historical events that the Bible covers briefly. These two stories are contained in the thirteenth century translation, but the incident in 2 Samuel is not covered in the ninth century edition at all. Furthermore, the thirteenth century translation appears to have been made from a Hebrew original. Besides the claim that it came from a Hebrew original, the thirteenth century copy of the Book of Jasher has the sound of an authentic historical document written by someone with a Semitic background who actually witnessed some of the recorded events. This thirteenth century edition is far longer than the ninth century edition and contains too many authentic cultural descriptions of Near Eastern and Semitic life to have been invented. Furthermore, none of the more vivid and colorful historical and cultural recollections in the thirteenth century edition that give it such a ring of authenticity appear in the supposedly older manuscript by Alcuinus.

Since the Book of Jasher is not considered a religious document but a historical narrative, however, some of its stories may have been embellished or may contain inaccuracies. In addition, the Book of Jasher 's chronology for certain events differs in some cases from the abbreviated Genesis account of this time period in the Bible. I always trust that the Bible is more accurate in these cases. Nevertheless, the Book of Jasher has great value as a history since it offers a wealth of details the Genesis account by Moses lacks. In many cases, it can help us to understand difficult passages or situations recorded too briefly in the Bible. Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to prove whether or not the thirteenth century copy of the Book of Jasher available to us today is a legitimate Bible history or not until a much older manuscript is found. Someday, I hope this will happen. In the meantime, however, I am allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my choices and I believe that there is enough internal evidence in the Book of Jasher to prove that it is authentic.

The Book of Jasher supports the books of Moses as the books of the Chronicles support the books of the Kings. A better title for this book would be "The Book (or Record) of the Upright," for that is what is the meaning of the Hebrew words. Here the pre-Flood days are more clearly revealed; the problems causing God to bring about the Flood and Noah's walk with God; how Nimrod obtained the garments of skins that God made for Adam and Eve after they sinned; and Nimrod's involvement in the life of Abraham, and how Noah protected Abraham. Here is revealed clarifications to the story of Joseph, and why he still remained in prison after revealing the meaning of the dreams of Pharoh's Butler and Baker. In some ways the book - as published by the Parry Company in the 1800's - is another history book, but it is only a spiritual thing that can bring a greater understanding of the reality and truth of the times from Creation to the early years in Palestine after the Exodus from Egypt, and the magnificent strength and power those sons of Jacob possessed. It is my conviction that this book belongs right beside the Bible's Old Testament.

This book is worth your time if you are interested in the missing details of famous biblical stories. Some are similar to the accounts of Josephus and Rabbinic commentaries which reinforces the claim to its origins in Antiquity. There are some numerical inaccuracies that the translator missed noting and a few embelliousments to stories that sound as if they were later additions but on the whole it is a jewel.

"19th [Century] American updating"??? Actually, the English version first published in 1840 AD is a translation of an Hebrew original which is at the very least as old as 1625 AD which was published in Italy. This book was not written in the 19th Century and it was not an American updating. Whether or not it is a fabrication is still up in the air. There are many who believe that it is legit (I am one of them). Whatever it is in the book of Jasher that one should "beware" of, Im not sure what it could be, nor can I understand how it could possibly deserve one star! There is another book of Jasher however which certainly is a fabrication, but it was written in 1750 AD (not the 19th Century) in England (not in America)! It is sad when peoples ill-informed opinions get thrown around as if they were facts. Regarding the other reviewers comment "BEWARE", Your first paragraph is full of unproven allegations. Your second paragraph shows apparent contradictions between Jasher and the Bible that actually really arent contradictions at all. Try studying these apparent contradictions in the same way that you would examine alleged contradictions of the Bible with itself, and the truth may reveal itself to you. Your last paragraph takes issue with the womans comment about adding Jasher to the Bible. You refer to Revelation 22:18 which says, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book". Your use of this verse to dispute Jashers inclusion into the Bible is a misuse of this verse. Firstly, this verse applies to "the prophecy of this book", meaning, specifically, the book of Revelation. To apply this verse to the entire Bible is to take it out of context. Secondly, "add[ing] unto these things" is refering to the purposeful perversion of the book of Revelation and has nothing to do with ones study of or belief in another book as being sacred or not. With the kind of logic with which you used this verse, you would have to apply the same kind of logic to Deuteronomy 4:2 which says, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it...". If we do that then we would have to rip out every page in our Bible that comes after Deuteronomy. Should it not rather be understood to mean that we shouldnt pervert or warp any of Gods revealed word to us? And if so, should not the passage in revelation be understood in much the same way? Indeed. I would rather caution this reviewer to not be "add[ing]" unto the revealed word of God by taking it out of context to mean something for which it was not intended.

This is a great companion to the book of Moses and to the Bible as well. An enlightening book!

I BOUGHT THIS BOOK FOR MY HUSBAND. I THEN PURCHASED IT FOR MYSELF, FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS GIFTS. IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO READ AND REREAD IT. IT HAS SHED MORE LIGHT ON WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ON MANY SUBJECTS. WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE CONTENTS IN DEPTH AND OUR FAITH HAS INCREASED. THE "BOOK OF JASHER" IS NOW BEING TAUGHT ALONG WITH THE BIBLE IN OUR CHURCH. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COMBINDING THE BIBLE WITH THE APOCRYPHA, BOOK OF JASHER AND THE BOOK OF ENOCH. EVERYTHING WILL BE IN "ONE BOOK OF SCRIPTURES".

All tranlations of Jashar are fakes. The book mentioned in the Bible is of poems and songs of praise in regard to Jewish military victories. The true book of Jashar is lost. This book with the same title has been forged by uninspired men to make money and fame. Shame on them for misleading Christians. Shame on Lumpkin and Parry for cashing in.

You people need to do some research and see that you are being deceived by false prophets just as Revelations said would happen. There are flaws in the book like the when the Sabbath was given to the Israelites by God. Also this Jashar says Sarai was Abraham's niece when the Bible says his half sister. Read your Bible, folks.

And to the lady that says her church is adding this book to the Bible---Are you crazy? Read Revelations 20 about what happens to those who add and take away from God's word.