The Book of Jasher
William Jones. 2 Samuel 1:17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: There is great diversity of opinion as to "the book of Jasher," or, as it is given in the margin, "the book of the upright." It is mentioned only here and in Joshua 10:13. Here are some of the opinions concerning it which seem to us more or less probable: 1. That it was a book of upright or authentic records or chronicles, probably those of the high priest, and from which much of the Old Testament history was compiled. 2. That Yashar "is better taken as a collective term for Israelites, like y'sharim in Numbers 23:10; Psalm 111:1; and so translated Book of the Israelites, i.e. national book" (Fuerst). The same theory is put thus by Mr. Aldis Wright: "The book of Jasher... so called because it contained the relation of the deeds of the people of Israel, who are elsewhere spoken of under the symbolical name Jeshurun. 3. That it was a collection of state poems, written by some one named Jasher, and probably a continuation of "the book of the wars of Jehovah" (Numbers 21:14). 4. Others assert that it was a collection of national songs, and in proof of this allege that Yashar is equivalent to Hashshir, the song or poem. 5. That the book of Jasher contained the deeds of national heroes of all ages "celebrated in verse, and included Joshua's victory over the five kings of the Amorites (Joshua 10.), and David's lament over Saul and Jonathan. 6. That it was a choice collection of ancient songs, and was called "the book of the just or upright," because it celebrated the praise of upright men. We may fairly conclude that it was written in verse "from the only specimens extant, which exhibit unmistakable signs of metrical rhythm"; but with regard to the contents nothing can be confidently affirmed. We ought also, perhaps, to call attention to the difference of opinion as to the meaning of "the bow." Instead of supplying the use of, as the translators of the A.V. have done, some would read "the song of the bow." "He bade them teach the children of Judah the bow," i.e. the "following threnody, which was so called either because Saul was shot by an archer, or because the bow of Jonathan is here celebrated (ver. 22). Others regard "the bow" as the name of some musical instrument. (William Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: WEB: David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son