Dwelling Richly-Always Prepared-Thinking Biblically
Understanding Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:19-27
What Happened to the Book of Jashar? Why Didn’t God Preserve It?
So Glad You Asked.
The Bible is filled with references to other ancient books, and one of the most intriguing is the Book of Jashar (Sefer ha-Yashar). Mentioned in both Joshua 10:12-13 and 2 Samuel 1:19-27, this book seems to have been a collection of Israelite poetry, celebrating God’s miraculous interventions in history. But if it was important enough to be quoted in Scripture, why didn’t God preserve it?
What Was the Book of Jashar?
The Book of Jashar is a lost book that recorded key moments in Israel’s history, particularly in poetic form.
- In Joshua 10:12-13, it includes Joshua’s command for the sun and moon to stand still, which was part of a story showing that Israel’s victory was a miracle from God.
- In 2 Samuel 1:19-27, it contains David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan, showcasing David’s deep grief and poetic talent.
Some scholars believe another reference to Jashar appears in 1 Kings 8:12-13, where a poetic couplet in Solomon’s Temple dedication prayer might have originated from this same book.
The Talmud, a collection of Jewish teachings, even suggests that the Book of Jashar might refer to Genesis, since Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were called “upright” (yashar). Others note that there was a different book in the 1200s called Sefer ha-Yashar, but this is not the same book referenced in the Bible.
Why Didn’t God Preserve the Book of Jashar?
It’s natural to wonder why this book is lost while others have been carefully preserved. Here are some biblical truths that help us understand:
1. God Has Preserved Exactly What We Need
We can trust that God has given us everything necessary for salvation and godly living. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that all Scripture is God-breathed—and the 66 books of the Bible have been divinely preserved through history. While Jashar is mentioned, it was not part of the inspired canon God chose to keep for His people.
2. The Book of Jashar Had a Different Purpose
Jashar was a historical and poetic record, not a book of prophecy or divine instruction. Much like the Book of the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14), it was valuable for its time but not meant to be an authoritative text like the Law or the Prophets.
3. The Most Important Parts Are Already in the Bible
Even though the book itself is lost, the key truths it contained were preserved in Scripture. The Bible already includes the poetry from Joshua and 2 Samuel, ensuring that God’s message has not been lost.
4. Not Everything Was Meant to Be Recorded Forever
John 21:25 tells us that Jesus did many other things that were never written down. If every miraculous event was recorded, the world could not contain the books! Similarly, God allowed some texts, like Jashar, to fade away because they were not essential for salvation.
5. The Bible Is Complete and Sufficient
Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” The Bible is fully sufficient to guide us in faith and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). While it’s interesting to study ancient lost texts, we do not need them to know God’s character, salvation, or His plan for us.
Final Thought: Focus on What God Has Given Us
Instead of focusing on what was lost, we should focus on what God has preserved—His unchanging, living Word that points us to Christ. The Bible is God’s perfect revelation, and in it, we find truth, wisdom, and eternal hope.
Let’s rejoice in what we do have—God’s powerful and sufficient Word that will never fade away!
I hope this gives you clarity and maybe even sparks more questions. If so, please reach out—I’d love to hear from you!
As always, you are loved, you are prayed for, and I’m so glad you asked.
Questions about the Bible? I’m so glad you asked!
You can submit questions about the Bible, living the Christian life, dealing with difficult situations/people/life issues – really anything on your mind, and I’ll share my thoughts and responses. I’d love to hear from you. No question is off-limits – Submit questions about this or any topic to DwellingRichly@gmail.com or https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/podcast/#question
Here are some online resources you can explore to deepen your understanding of the passages and topics discussed in this episode:
- https://www.biblegateway.com/ – A comprehensive resource for reading and comparing multiple Bible translations, which can help clarify challenging passages. It also includes commentaries and study tools.
- https://www.blueletterbible.org/ – This site offers verse-by-verse study tools, including original language lexicons, concordances, and commentaries. It’s a great resource for digging deeper into the text.
- https://www.gotquestions.org/ – An extensive database of answers to common biblical questions. It provides clear, biblically sound explanations on a wide range of topics, including the afterlife and resurrection.
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