Today, we're diving into one of those: a chapter from the Book of Jasher.
Now, the Book of Jasher isn't part of the Jewish or Christian biblical canon. It's considered apocryphal, meaning its authenticity and divine inspiration are disputed. But it's a fascinating text nonetheless, a kind of midrashic (interpretive) retelling of biblical events that expands on the original narratives. Think of it as historical fiction, filling in gaps and offering interesting perspectives.
Our story begins with Abraham and Sarah journeying to the land of the Philistines, specifically to Gerar. This takes place, according to Jasher, in the twenty-fifth year of Abraham's stay in Canaan, and his hundredth year of life. Immediately, we see a familiar theme: Abraham, fearing for his life because of Sarah's beauty, asks her to say she's his sister. We see this in Genesis, too.
"Say thou art my sister," he tells her, "to any one that shall ask thee, in order that we may escape the evil of the inhabitants of the land."
Sure enough, Sarah's beauty catches the eye of Abimelech, the king of the Philistines. His servants report to him about this stunning woman, and Abimelech, naturally, has her brought to his house. He asks her about Abraham, and she repeats the lie: "He is my brother." Abimelech, believing this, offers Abraham land and honor, intending to elevate him because of his (supposed) relationship to Sarah.
But here's where the Book of Jasher really kicks things up a notch.
That night, Abimelech has a terrifying dream. An angel of the Lord appears to him with a drawn sword, ready to strike him down! The angel reveals the truth: Sarah is a married woman, Abraham's wife, and Abimelech is in grave danger for taking her. "Behold thou diest on account of the woman which thou didst yesternight bring to thy house, for she is a married woman... now therefore return that man his wife; and shouldst thou not return her, know that thou wilt surely die, thou and all belonging to thee."
And it doesn't stop there. According to the Book of Jasher, the entire land of the Philistines is thrown into chaos. The inhabitants see the angel with the sword, and he begins to smite them! It's a night of great outcry and confusion. Even more dramatically, "every womb was closed, and all their issues," meaning no one could conceive. Talk about divine intervention! This plague falls upon them specifically “on account of Sarah, wife of Abraham, whom Abimelech had taken.”
The next morning, Abimelech is understandably shaken. He calls his servants, recounts his dream, and the people are terrified. One of his servants recalls a similar incident with Pharaoh in Egypt – a direct parallel to the Genesis story. He advises Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham immediately, lest they suffer the same fate as Pharaoh and his people.
Abimelech wastes no time. He summons Sarah and Abraham and confronts them: "What is this work you have been doing in saying you are brother and sister, and I took this woman for a wife?" Abraham, again, pleads that he feared for his life.
Abimelech, now knowing the truth and terrified of divine retribution, showers Abraham with gifts – flocks, herds, servants, and a thousand pieces of silver – and returns Sarah to him. He even offers them any part of his land to dwell in. Abraham and Sarah leave with honor, but the plague continues to afflict the Philistines.
Desperate, Abimelech sends for Abraham again and begs him to pray to his God to lift the plague. Abraham does so, and the Lord hears his prayer, healing Abimelech and his subjects.
So, what do we make of this expanded version of the story? The Book of Jasher amps up the drama, adding vivid details like the angel with the drawn sword and the widespread plague of infertility. It emphasizes the power and protection of God, highlighting the consequences of deception and the importance of honoring marital bonds. It also gives us a glimpse into the fears and anxieties of Abraham, who, despite his faith, repeatedly resorts to deception to protect himself.
Ultimately, this chapter from the Book of Jasher invites us to consider how different retellings can enrich and complicate our understanding of familiar narratives, offering new perspectives on the characters, their motivations, and the divine forces at play. It reminds us that even the most well-known stories can be seen in a new light, prompting us to ask: What else might be hidden within the ancient texts?