One fascinating source for these expanded narratives is the Book of Jasher, a work of Jewish folklore and legend. Now, it's important to note that this isn't the Sefer haYashar (סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר) mentioned in the Bible itself (Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18). Instead, it's a much later work, likely medieval, that draws upon and expands biblical narratives. And Chapter 8 tells a truly captivating tale surrounding the birth of Abraham.
The Book of Jasher recounts that on the very night Abram (later Abraham) was born, a grand feast was held at Terah's house. Terah, as you may know, was Abram's father. But this wasn't just a family affair. The servants of Nimrod—yes, that Nimrod, the mighty hunter and king—were there, along with all of Nimrod's wise men and conjurors! Quite the guest list, right? They ate, they drank, they rejoiced. But as the night deepened, something extraordinary happened.
As the wise men and conjurors left Terah's house, they looked up at the heavens. And what did they behold? According to the Book of Jasher, a massive star appeared in the east, streaking across the sky. But here's the kicker: it swallowed up four other stars, one from each corner of the heavens! Imagine seeing that!
Understandably, the wise men were astonished. But these weren't just casual stargazers. They were sages, skilled in interpreting celestial signs. They put their heads together and, according to the text, understood the meaning of this cosmic event. This star, they declared, signified the child born to Terah that very night. This child would grow to be powerful, fruitful, and would possess the entire earth, he and his descendants forever. Moreover, this child and his offspring would slay great kings and inherit their lands. A pretty weighty prediction, wouldn't you say?
So, what did they do with this earth-shattering prophecy? They knew they couldn't keep it a secret from Nimrod. If the king found out later that they had concealed such a significant omen, they feared severe punishment. So, they went to Nimrod and told him everything. They described the star, its trajectory, and their interpretation: that Terah's newborn son would become a powerful ruler, overthrowing kings and seizing their lands.
Naturally, Nimrod wasn't thrilled. The wise men suggested a preemptive strike: "Give his father value for this child," they urged, "we will slay him before he shall grow up." In other words, buy the baby from Terah and kill him to eliminate the threat.
Nimrod liked the sound of that. He summoned Terah and demanded the child, promising to fill Terah's house with silver and gold in exchange. Talk about a terrible bargain!
But Terah was cunning. He pretended to agree but asked for a moment to share something with the king first, a story to get his advice. He told Nimrod of a man who wanted to trade him silver, gold, straw and animal feed for the king's beautiful, prized horse. Terah then feigned seeking the king's wisdom, asking if he should make the trade.
Nimrod was incensed! "Art thou so silly, ignorant, or deficient in understanding, to do this thing, to give thy beautiful horse for silver and gold or even for straw and provender?" The king's reaction was exactly what Terah was hoping for.
Terah then cleverly turned the king's words back on him: "Like unto this has the king spoken to his servant... what shall I do with silver and gold after the death of my son? who shall inherit me?" Ouch!
Nimrod was furious, but Terah, seeing the king's anger, played his final card. He offered Nimrod anything he wanted, even his son, saying all he had was the king's. He then begged for three days to consider the matter, a request Nimrod granted.
During those three days, Terah concocted a plan. When Nimrod sent for the child, Terah substituted a baby born to one of his servants that very day! Terah brought this child to Nimrod, received the payment, and watched in horror as Nimrod, believing it was Abram, dashed the baby's head against the ground.
The Book of Jasher tells us that "the Lord was with Terah in this matter, that Nimrod might not cause Abram's death." It was, the text says, "the will of Providence" that Abram should live.
After this deception, Terah secretly hid Abram, along with his mother and nurse, in a cave, providing them with monthly provisions. Abram remained hidden for ten years. Nimrod and his advisors believed they had killed the prophesied child, never knowing the truth.
What are we to make of this story? It's a thrilling tale of intrigue, deception, and divine intervention. It highlights the lengths to which people will go to protect their power, and the resourcefulness of those who resist tyranny. It also underscores a key theme in Jewish tradition: that God works in mysterious ways, often using human agency to fulfill divine purposes. The Book of Jasher, in this chapter, gives us a glimpse into the anxieties and hopes surrounding the birth of one of the most important figures in Jewish history, and how those anxieties played out in a world filled with magic, prophecy, and political intrigue.