Book of Jasher

About this text

Mentioned in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18 as a source, but the original is lost. The version circulated today is a much later medieval composition, not the biblical source.

Significance

The biblical references confirm a real ancient text existed — but what survives today is not that text.

Key excerpts

"Is this not written in the Book of Jasher?" — the Bible itself references this lost work.

Scripture cross-references

• Joshua 10:13 — "Is not this written in the book of Jasher?" — the sun standing still
• 2 Samuel 1:18 — David's lament, referencing the Book of Jasher

Continue exploring

This text is one of 17 in the Early Jewish / Second Temple Texts category, and one of 62 across the entire library.