Book of Jasher Refuted
Is the Book of Jasher Legitimate Scripture?
Many today claim that the “Book of Jasher” is a lost biblical text left out of the canon. But the reality is very different. The book promoted as The Book of Jasher—also called Sefer haYashar—is a medieval Jewish writing from the 16th century filled with myths and contradictions. It is not the book mentioned in Joshua 10:13 or 2 Samuel 1:18. Here’s why.
Jasher in the Bible Is Not a Title
In Hebrew, yashar means “upright” or “just.” The phrase “book of Jasher” in the Bible literally means “the book of the upright” (a record of righteous deeds or songs), not the title of a specific work. There is no evidence that any inspired book carried “Jasher” as its proper name.
Contradictions with Scripture
The Sefer haYashar directly contradicts the Bible on key points:
Sarai’s Identity: Jasher says Sarai was Abraham’s niece (Jasher 16:23). Scripture says she was his half-sister (Genesis 20:12).
The Exodus: Jasher claims the Red Sea split into twelve paths (Jasher 81:37–38). The Bible says the waters divided into two walls, right and left (Exodus 14:21–22; Psalm 136:13).
Noah’s Time: Jasher invents half-human, half-animal creatures (Jasher 36, 61), yet the Bible never describes such beings. God created humans and animals each “after their kind” (Genesis 1:25–27).
The Plagues of Egypt: Jasher exaggerates and fabricates the plagues, even introducing a sea monster with 15‑foot arms that unlocked Egyptian houses (Jasher 80:19–22). The Bible lists ten specific plagues with no such creature (Exodus 7–12).
Why Christians Must Reject It
The Bible warns against adding to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18–19). The Sefer haYashar invents fables, mixes mythology into biblical history, and denies the plain testimony of Scripture. Though Joshua and Samuel may have referenced an early book of upright songs or heroic records, that work has long been lost. The medieval Book of Jasher is not it.
Conclusion: The Sefer haYashar is not inspired Scripture, nor is it a “missing book” of the Bible. It is a much later work filled with contradictions and myths, and it stands opposed to the Word of God. Christians should treat it as fiction, not revelation.
