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Question: What is the book of Jasher?

The Book of Jashar (or Upright) A book quoted twice in the Old
Testament: Joshua's poetic address to the sun and the moon (Josh.
10:12-13) and David's lament for Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam.
1:17-27). The "Book of Jashar" probably consisted of poems on
important events in Israel's history collected during the time of
David or Solomon. The "Book of Jashar" is often compared to or
identified with the "Book of the Wars of the Lord." (Source:
Hollman's Dictionary)

ZPBD: This ancient book is thought to have been a collection of
poetry, probably odes and psalms in praise of Israel's heroes and
exploits (p.408).

Mc& Str: "The book of the upright [man]". A book that existed among
the Hebrews, containing the records of honored men, or other
praiseworthy transactions. Cited in two passages of the O.T.: "And
the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had
avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this 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" (Josh. 10:13. "And David
lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son
(also he bade them teach the children of Judah [the use of] to bow:
behold, it is written in the book of Jasher." (2 Sam. 1:17,18).
After this follows the lamentation of David.

     "The book of Jashar from which this information is taken is
also mentioned in 2 Sam.1:18, where it is introduced by exactly the
same formula as here. The work appears to have been a collection of
odes in praise of certain heroes of the theocracy, interwoven with
historical notices of their achievements" (Woudstra.176).




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