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The Book of Jasher, also known as the Book of the Just or Sefer haYashar, is one of the books mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18, where it is cited as a source of information for certain events.
Joshua 10:13: "And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the people had avenged themselves on their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down about a whole day."
This passage refers to Joshua's miracle at Gibeon, where the sun and moon stood still to enable the Israelites to win.
2 Samuel 1:18: "And he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the use of the bow. Behold, it is written in the book of Jasher."
This reference is linked to David’s lament over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.
The book adds additional and sometimes fantastic details about biblical characters such as Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Abraham, and others.
These quotations suggest that at the time Joshua and 2 Samuel were written, there was a book known as “Jasher” (or “Yashar,” meaning “the Upright” or “the Just”) that was considered a source of important historical or poetic records for the people of Israel.
Many scholars believe that this original Jasher was a collection of heroic songs or poems celebrating deeds and prominent figures in Israel’s history. It is possible that it was an official record or a compilation of oral traditions that were written down.
However, the Book of Jasher is not part of the canon of the Hebrew Scriptures or the canon of most Christian Bibles, and is considered an apocryphal book.
APOCRYPHA
Apocryphal books are texts that, although related to biblical and religious themes, were not included in the official canon of Scripture for various reasons, such as doubts about their authorship, dating, or because they were not considered divinely inspired by the religious authorities that defined the canon.
The Book of Jasher that we know today is a work that, in parallel with the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy), narrates events from the creation of the human being to the last days of Joshua.
ORIGIN OF THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE BOOK OF THE RIGHTEOUS
(or Book of the Just)
The versions of the Book of Jasher that circulate today are not the original book cited in the Bible. In fact, there are several different works that were created in much later periods and that claim the title of "Book of Jasher". The most prominent are:
The Hebrew Book of Jasher (Sefer haYashar): This is the best-known and most widely translated version today. It is a pseudepigraphic Hebrew work (i.e. attributed to an author other than the real one) that was composed in the Middle Ages, probably in the 13th century, in Spain or southern Italy.
THE HEROISM IN THE BOOK OF THE JUST
Naftali and his Supernatural Speed: The description of Naftali running with a speed that defies nature is a clear superpower.
In the Book of Jasher, characters who are already prominent figures in the canonical Bible, such as the patriarchs and their descendants, gain an almost superhuman profile. This amplification manifests itself in several ways:
Exceptional Physical Strength: It is common to find descriptions of characters who possess extraordinary physical strength, capable of performing feats that defy logic.
The sons of Jacob, for example, are often portrayed as formidable warriors, capable of subduing entire armies with their bravery and physical power, going far beyond what is narrated in Genesis.
Supernatural or Almost Magical Abilities: In some passages, the actions of the characters border on the supernatural. It is not just about courage, but an innate ability to overcome obstacles in ways that could be interpreted as superpowers.
Destiny and Inherent Ability: Like mythological heroes who are born with a great destiny and unique abilities, Jasher characters are often described as possessing intrinsic qualities that distinguish them from birth, predestining them for great deeds.
Bravery and Power in Battle: The battle scenes in Jasher are more detailed and grandiose than those depicted in the Bible, with the heroes acting almost invincibly against overwhelming odds.
NIMROD AND ADAM'S CLOAK
In the Bible (Genesis 10:8-9), Nimrod is described as a "mighty hunter before the Lord" and a founder of cities, a figure of great influence. However, the Book of Jasher expands on this narrative in a fantastic way.
It introduces the idea that Adam's cloak, with its special virtues (which Ham, Noah's son, had stolen from his brother, Shem), gave Nimrod, Ham's great-grandson, extraordinary power and authority.
By donning this cloak, Nimrod not only becomes an invincible hunter and warrior, but also acquires a charisma and leadership ability that allows him to dominate and organize nations.
This places the garment, which belonged to the first patriarch, as if it were a magical artifact, granting superpowers, a concept that we see in many myths and superhero stories.
Adam's cloak functions as a "costume" or "mystical item" that amplifies the abilities of its wearer, making Nimrod a fearsome and dominant figure.
THE SONS OF JACOB
The sons of Jacob are perhaps the most vivid examples of the heroic aspect of the protagonists of the Book of Jasher, especially in their battles against the Amorites and other nations.
Naphtali and his Supernatural Speed: The description of Naphtali running with speed that defies nature is a clear superpower.
While Genesis 49:21 associates him with a gazelle (symbolizing agility and grace), Jasher takes this to the extreme, painting him as an unparalleled sprinter, capable of covering great distances in record time or even outpacing arrows.
This makes him an ideal messenger or scout, an almost supernatural figure in his physical ability, like the contemporary Flash or Mercury/Hermes from Greek mythology—the idea is the same: superhuman speed.
Judah, Devastating Force: Judah is portrayed in Jasher as a force of nature, a ruthless warrior endowed with exceptional physical strength and an explosive temper.
He is not only courageous, but possesses a ferocity in combat that makes him devastating to his enemies.
His actions in battle are described in a way that evokes images of a Hulk or a Thor, crushing and destroying with his sheer strength and momentum. His scream is destructive, capable of paralyzing rather than defeating his adversaries.
These examples demonstrate how the Book of Jasher does not stop at the more restrained biblical narrative. It exalts these characters, transforming them into archetypes of legendary heroes, with superhuman capabilities, making them semi-divine.
ABRAHAM:
CHILDHOOD, YOUTH AND CONFLICT WITH NIMROD
In the Bible, the childhood and youth of Abram (later Abraham) are not detailed; he is already a grown man in Haran.
The Book of Jasher, on the other hand, weaves a rich story about Abraham’s birth under omens that were interpreted by astrologers and sages as indicating that he would be a threat to Nimrod’s empire.
Because of these omens, Nimrod is said to have demanded his death shortly after his birth. This leads to a period in which Abraham is hidden and raised in secret, away from Nimrod’s eyes, in a cave or other secluded place.
He is portrayed as a young man who, from an early age, questions the idolatry of his father, Terah, and his people, discovering the truth about the One God for himself.
The detailed account of Abraham’s childhood has heroic elements: the “hidden baby” (common in mythologies), persecution by a tyrant, and a journey of spiritual self-discovery.
The Book of the Righteous adds dramatic weight and justification to Abraham’s future greatness, showing that his faith and life were tested from the beginning.
These details are, in fact, what make the Book of Jasher so captivating to many readers. It not only expands on the familiar stories, but enriches them with epic detail.
