“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 the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)” - 2 Samuel 1:17-18
Therefore, if your version of The Book of Jasher doesn’t contain David’s dirge over Saul, then that’s a good indication that it is not THE book of Jasher as referenced in the Bible.
Cheers!
I read it years ago, and I thought it seemed pretty legit to me. I’m perusing it now, and this part is certainly relevant nowadays:
“19 For in those days the sons of men began to trespass against God, and to transgress the commandments which he had commanded to Adam, to be fruitful and multiply in the earth.
20 And some of the sons of men caused their wives to drink a draught that would render them barren, in order that they might retain their figures and whereby their beautiful appearance might not fade.”
ping for later study.
ping
You might want to look at this: Book of Jasher (Pseudo-Jasher)
The Book of Jasher, or Pseudo-Jasher, is an 18th-century literary forgery by Jacob Ilive.[1] It purports to be an English translation by Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus of a lost Book of Jasher. It is sometimes called Pseudo-Jasher to distinguish it from the Sefer haYashar (midrash) (Naples, 1552) which incorporates genuine Jewish legend.
The Sefer haYashar (first edition 1552) is a Hebrew midrash also known as the Toledot Adam and Dibre ha-Yamim be-'Aruk. The Hebrew title may be translated Sefer haYashar - "Book of the Upright Man" - but it is known in English translation mostly as The Book of Jasher following English tradition. The book is named after the Book of Jasher mentioned in Joshua and 2 Samuel.[1]This is among several texts purporting to be the original "Book of Jasher." The text is not accepted as such in rabbinical Judaism.
The real Book of Jasher (Book of Jasher (biblical references)) was a local record, now lost.
These ought not to be treated as anything more than what they are -- a 18th century forgery, and a medieval Jewish work. Be as fascinated with them as you want to be, but I wouldn't put much weight on what they say.
You might want to look at this: Book of Jasher (Pseudo-Jasher)
The Book of Jasher, or Pseudo-Jasher, is an 18th-century literary forgery by Jacob Ilive.[1] It purports to be an English translation by Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus of a lost Book of Jasher. It is sometimes called Pseudo-Jasher to distinguish it from the Sefer haYashar (midrash) (Naples, 1552) which incorporates genuine Jewish legend.
The Sefer haYashar (first edition 1552) is a Hebrew midrash also known as the Toledot Adam and Dibre ha-Yamim be-'Aruk. The Hebrew title may be translated Sefer haYashar - "Book of the Upright Man" - but it is known in English translation mostly as The Book of Jasher following English tradition. The book is named after the Book of Jasher mentioned in Joshua and 2 Samuel.[1]This is among several texts purporting to be the original "Book of Jasher." The text is not accepted as such in rabbinical Judaism.
The real Book of Jasher (Book of Jasher (biblical references)) was a local record, now lost.
These ought not to be treated as anything more than what they are -- a 18th century forgery, and a medieval Jewish work. Be as fascinated with them as you want to be, but I wouldn't put much weight on what they say.
I read a review of this book (I’ve never read it) about fifty years ago. The author of the review said it appeared to be authentic but had parts re-worked by “a professional (modern) writer.”
The Book of Jasher (Hebrew ‘Sefer Hayashar’ transl. ‘Book of the Upright’) is an example of midrash (homiletics).
One collection of midrash, Me’am Loez, amounts to a total of 45 volumes translated into English!
It should be pointed out that the category of midrash includes some actual historical details that are not included in the Bible.
For some reason, the Book of Jasher has some special appeal to those from Christian backgrounds but it is not especially unique or authoritative from a Jewish perspective.