We read about their exploits in the Torah, but sometimes the details feel…sparse. That's where books like the Book of Jasher come in. It's considered a type of Midrash, expanding on the biblical narrative and filling in gaps with stories and legends. It's not considered canon, but it offers a fascinating glimpse into how these stories were imagined and retold. And Chapter 38? It's a wild ride.
This chapter picks up after the events surrounding Shechem, and let me tell you, things haven't exactly calmed down. Remember the revenge exacted upon the city of Shechem? Well, it stirred up a hornet’s nest. Neighboring kingdoms were not happy, and they decided to band together to take on Jacob and his sons.
So, what happened? Well, according to the Book of Jasher, the king of Shiloh, Ihuri, came to assist Elon, and approached Jacob, but Jacob drew his bow, and with an arrow struck Ihuri, killing him.
Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, Jacob? The patriarch? Out on the battlefield?” That’s exactly the kind of detail the Book of Jasher provides, painting a more active and, frankly, more violent picture of the biblical figures we think we know.
With Ihuri’s death, the remaining kings and their captains panicked. They recognized the strength of the Hebrews, especially after witnessing the demise of the previous kings. They fled towards the city of Chazar.
The sons of Jacob pursued them relentlessly. Jacob himself, leaving his position at the "heap of Shechem," joined the chase. Can you imagine the scene? The sons of Jacob, a force to be reckoned with, bearing down on the fleeing armies.
The kings and their armies, terrified, continued their retreat until they reached the city of Chazar. There, at the gate, a brutal battle ensued. The sons of Jacob inflicted heavy losses, slaying around four thousand men. Jacob, focused on eliminating the kings, took them down one by one: Parathon, king of Chazar; Susi, king of Sarton; Laban, king of Bethchorin; and Shabir, king of Machnaymah. All felled by Jacob's arrows.
But victory came at a cost. Three of Jacob’s servants fell in the battle. Judah, witnessing their deaths, was consumed by anger against the Amorites. The remaining enemy soldiers, desperate, broke through the city gates of Chazar and sought refuge within its walls.
What followed was a siege and a massacre. Four mighty men stood guard at the city entrance, but Naphtali, with incredible strength, struck them down. The sons of Jacob breached the walls, and Simeon and Levi, known for their fierce protectiveness, slaughtered the men, women, and children within the city. The cries of the city, the text says, ascended to heaven.
It’s a disturbing scene, isn’t it? This level of violence isn't always what we associate with these biblical figures, but it's a stark reminder of the brutal realities of the ancient world.
After the slaughter, the sons of Jacob took the city's spoils and moved on to Sarton. The men of Sarton, having heard of the fate of Chazar, prepared for war. Sarton was a heavily fortified city, surrounded by a massive rampart. The sons of Jacob struggled to find a way in. The inhabitants, from atop the wall, hurled insults and curses.
Enraged, the sons of Jacob, with superhuman strength, leaped over the forty-cubit rampart. Imagine that – forty cubits! That’s roughly sixty feet! They faced iron gates, which they eventually broke down using fire. They fought the inhabitants, leaving no man standing.
A group of men sought refuge in a tower, but Judah destroyed it, killing them all. Another tower held three hundred men, women, and children. The sons of Jacob attacked, and while some fled, twelve valiant men emerged to fight Simeon and Levi.
This is where it gets really interesting. These twelve men were incredibly strong, breaking the shields of Simeon and Levi. One even struck Levi's head with a sword, but Levi managed to deflect the blow, saving himself from serious injury. Levi then seized the attacker's sword and killed him.
Eleven men then attacked Levi, and the sons of Jacob struggled to prevail. Seeing the dire situation, Simeon let out a tremendous shriek, stunning the attackers. Judah and Naphtali rushed to their brothers' aid, bringing new shields.
The battle raged until sunset. Hearing of his sons' plight, Jacob, accompanied by Naphtali, joined the fight. Jacob, once again wielding his bow, killed three of the mighty men. The remaining eight, caught between attacks from the front and rear, fled in terror.
Dan and Asher ambushed the fleeing men, killing two. Judah and his brothers pursued the rest, wiping them out. The sons of Jacob then searched the city, finding and killing the remaining men. They spared only the women and children.
The Book of Jasher emphasizes the incredible strength of the men of Sarton, saying that one of them could pursue a thousand men, and two would not flee from ten thousand. Yet, the sons of Jacob, fueled by their faith and their fury, overcame them all.
Finally, the sons of Jacob took the spoils of Sarton, mirroring their actions in Chazar. They then turned and departed.
What are we to make of this? The Book of Jasher presents a vivid, often brutal, picture of the early Israelites. It's a world of constant conflict, where survival depends on strength, courage, and unwavering loyalty to family and faith. It's a far cry from the often idealized images we have of the patriarchs and their sons.
It certainly gives you something to think about, doesn't it? It makes you wonder about the complexities of these characters and the world they inhabited. The Book of Jasher isn’t scripture, but it’s a powerful reminder that the stories we tell shape our understanding of the past, and of ourselves.