{"id":43089,"date":"2019-09-02T15:23:13","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T12:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=43089"},"modified":"2025-04-22T08:07:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T05:07:38","slug":"what-is-the-book-of-jashar-mentioned-in-2-samuel-117-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/09\/02\/what-is-the-book-of-jashar-mentioned-in-2-samuel-117-18\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Book of Jashar Mentioned in 2 Samuel 1:17\u201318?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Question:<\/strong>
In 2 Samuel 1:17\u201318 (NKJV)<\/strong>, we read:
\u201cThen David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jashar.\u201d<\/em>
What exactly is this Book of Jashar<\/em>, and what can we learn from its mention in Scripture?<\/h3>\n
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Understanding the Book of Jashar<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Book of Jashar<\/em> (also spelled Jasher<\/em>) is an ancient Hebrew literary work that is mentioned in two places in the Old Testament:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Joshua 10:13 (NKJV)<\/strong> \u2013
    \u201cSo the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    2 Samuel 1:18 (NKJV)<\/strong> \u2013
    \u201c\u2026Indeed it is written in the Book of Jashar.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Hebrew word \u201cYashar\u201d (\u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e8<\/em>) means \u201cupright\u201d or \u201crighteous.\u201d So, the Book of Jashar literally translates to \u201cThe Book of the Upright\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cBook of the Righteous.\u201d<\/strong> It appears to have been a collection of poetic songs or heroic accounts about significant events and notable figures in Israel\u2019s history. Though the book itself is not part of the biblical canon, its mention within the Bible implies it was a respected and widely known historical source during that time.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Why is it Important?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Theological insight into the Book of Jashar<\/em> helps us understand several key truths:<\/p>\n

    1. God Works Through History<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

    The Bible is not only a book of<\/span> spiritual truths and prophecy\u2014it is also rooted in real, historical events. By referencing external sources like the Book of Jashar<\/em>, the Bible confirms that the faith of Israel was grounded in reality. Just as Luke 1:1\u20134<\/strong> shows that early Christians valued eyewitness testimony and accurate records, so too did the Israelites.<\/p>\n

    2. Scripture Doesn\u2019t Hide Other Sources<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    God inspired the authors of Scripture to acknowledge other documents when necessary\u2014not to validate Scripture itself, but to confirm the authenticity of shared history. As 2 Corinthians 13:1<\/strong> says, \u201cBy the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    The Book of Jashar<\/em> acts as one of those witnesses, just as modern theologians may reference historical documents, church fathers, or archeological findings to support biblical truth.<\/p>\n

    3.<\/span> Not All Ancient Books Are Inspired<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    It\u2019s important to note that just because the Bible references another book doesn\u2019t mean that book is divinely inspired or should be included in the canon. For example:<\/p>\n