The chapter opens with Pharaoh, secure in his reign, commanding the construction of a magnificent palace. And who does he enlist to help? None other than the sons of Jacob, adding a layer of forced labor to their already complicated lives in Egypt. The Book of Jasher tells us that Pharaoh "commanded the sons of Jacob to assist the Egyptians in the building."
But life goes on, and we're reminded of the inevitable cycle of life and death. Zebulun, one of Jacob’s sons, passes away at the age of 114, in the seventy-second year of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt. Simeon follows him three years later, at 120 years old. Both are placed in coffins, a poignant detail emphasizing their continued identity as a distinct people, even in a foreign land. The text states, "Zebulun died a hundred and fourteen years old, and was put into a coffin and given into the hands of his children," a sentiment echoed for Simeon.
Now, things get interesting. Enter Zepho, the grandson of Esau. He's stirring up trouble, trying to convince Angeas, the king of Dinhabah, to attack the sons of Jacob in Egypt. Angeas is hesitant, his advisors clearly having warned him of the Israelites' strength, recalling their previous victory against the children of Esau. But Zepho is persistent, a constant thorn in Angeas' side. "Zepho was in those days daily enticing Angeas to fight with the sons of Jacob in those days," the text emphasizes.
And then comes Balaam! Yes, that Balaam. Before he was trying to curse the Israelites, he was a 15-year-old youth, a servant of Angeas, known for his wisdom and…witchcraft. Angeas, swayed by Zepho, asks Balaam to use his powers to foresee the outcome of a potential battle with the Israelites. Balaam creates a magical simulation using wax figures and water, and what does he see? Angeas’ forces being defeated! This vision convinces Angeas to abandon his plans to attack Egypt.
What does Zepho do? He flees! He leaves Angeas and heads to Chittim (often associated with Cyprus or other Mediterranean coastal regions). The people of Chittim welcome him, hiring him as a military leader. He becomes wealthy and successful, but trouble arises when the troops of Angeas begin raiding Chittim.
The Book of Jasher then recounts a bizarre tale: Zepho loses a heifer and, while searching for it, discovers a cave inhabited by a monstrous creature—half-man, half-animal—that's been devouring their cattle. Zepho bravely slays the beast. The people of Chittim are so grateful that they deify him, establishing an annual festival in his honor with drink offerings and gifts. Talk about a career change!
But wait, there's more! Jania, Angeas' wife, falls ill. The wise men determine that the water and air in her land are not agreeing with her, especially because she misses the specific waters of Purmah from Chittim. So, Angeas, in a feat of engineering, builds a bridge to bring the waters of Purmah to Africa! He even imports soil and stones from Chittim to build her palaces. Jania recovers, proving that sometimes, a little bit of home is all you need.
Zepho, meanwhile, continues to protect Chittim from the African raiders, solidifying his position. Eventually, the people of Chittim make him their king! He leads them in conquering Tubal and the surrounding islands, establishing a powerful kingdom. He reigns for fifty years, a testament to his ambition and military prowess. The text concludes by noting that they built him a "very large palace for his royal habitation and seat, and they made a large throne for him."
So, what do we take away from this whirlwind of a chapter? We see the sons of Jacob facing hardship and loss, but also hints of their resilience. We witness the rise of Zepho from a disgruntled grandson to a king worshipped by his people. And we get a glimpse into a world filled with witchcraft, monsters, and incredible engineering feats. The Book of Jasher paints a vivid picture, reminding us that even in the midst of grand historical narratives, there are always individual stories of ambition, survival, and the enduring power of home. What will Chapter 62 bring? We'll have to wait and see!