Out of nowhere, we get a completely separate war story! Buckle up, because we're diving in.
First, let's set the stage. Levi, one of Jacob's sons, passes away at the ripe old age of 137. The Book of Jasher tells us he was put in a coffin and entrusted to his children. (Jasher 63:1) A peaceful end. But his death marks a turning point. With all of Joseph's generation gone, the Egyptians start to forget the good the Israelites had done for them during the famine. (Jasher 63:2, 5)
And you know what happens when gratitude fades? Oppression creeps in.
The Egyptians begin to "afflict the children of Jacob, and to embitter their lives." (Jasher 63:2) They seize the land and homes that Joseph had granted them. The once-favored Israelites become the abused underclass. We're told, "the Egyptians injured the Israelites until the children of Israel were wearied of their lives." (Jasher 63:3) It's a stark and painful picture of how quickly fortunes can change.
Then Pharaoh dies! (Jasher 63:4) A new one, Melol, takes the throne. But it doesn't bring relief. This new Pharaoh, like the new generation of Egyptians, doesn't remember Joseph's contributions. They only see the Israelites as a large, potentially threatening population. So, the oppression continues.
Now, here's a fascinating theological twist. The Book of Jasher tells us "this was also from the Lord, for the children of Israel, to benefit them in their latter days, in order that all the children of Israel might know the Lord their God." (Jasher 63:7) It's a classic example of finding divine purpose in suffering. The idea is that this hardship is meant to ultimately bring the Israelites closer to God, to remind them of their ancestors' faith, and to prepare them for the "signs and mighty wonders" that are to come during the Exodus. (Jasher 63:8) It's a tough pill to swallow, but it speaks to the enduring human need to find meaning, even in the darkest of times.
Okay, deep breath. Because now, we're shifting gears completely.
Suddenly, we're whisked away to a completely unrelated war. We're introduced to Zepho, the son of Eliphaz, who is himself the son of Esau. Zepho hears that the troops of Angeas, the king of Africa, are out pillaging in the land of Chittim – usually identified with Cyprus, though sometimes used more broadly to refer to the Mediterranean isles and coastal regions. (Jasher 63:10) Zepho, ever the warrior, goes out and wipes them out! (Jasher 63:11-12)
Well, Angeas isn't too happy about that, so he gathers an enormous army, enlisting the help of his brother Lucus. (Jasher 63:13-14) Zepho and the people of Chittim are terrified, and Zepho sends a desperate plea for help to the land of Edom, to the children of Esau. "Come help us, or we're all going to die!" he basically says. (Jasher 63:16-18)
But the Edomites refuse, citing a long-standing peace treaty that goes all the way back to the time of Joseph. (Jasher 63:19) So, Zepho is on his own.
Outnumbered and outgunned, Zepho turns to prayer. He cries out to the God of Abraham and Isaac, acknowledging Him as the one true God and asking for deliverance. (Jasher 63:23-25) And here's the key: "The Lord hearkened to the voice of Zepho, and he had regard for him on account of Abraham and Isaac." (Jasher 63:26)
God answers his prayer! Zepho and the children of Chittim defeat Angeas and his massive army, slaying hundreds of thousands of them. (Jasher 63:27-28) Even after Angeas tries to replenish his forces, Zepho prevails again! (Jasher 63:29-34) Angeas and his brother flee back to Africa in terror. (Jasher 63:35)
What are we to make of this sudden shift in narrative? It’s jarring. We go from the Israelites suffering in silence to a full-blown war narrative with different characters, different geography, and seemingly different stakes. Perhaps the inclusion of this story serves as a reminder that God's providence extends beyond the Israelites. Or maybe it's simply a popular story that the author of Jasher wanted to include.
Whatever the reason, Chapter 63 of the Book of Jasher leaves us with a lot to think about. The cyclical nature of oppression, the enduring power of faith, and the unexpected ways that deliverance can arrive. And it reminds us that even in the midst of suffering, stories of courage and faith can emerge from the most unexpected places.
Sacred-texts Apocrypha Index Previous Next Book of Jasher, Chapter 63 1 And in the ninety-third year died Levi, the son of Jacob, in Egypt, and Levi was a hundred and thirty-seven years old when he died, and they put him into a coffin and he was given into the hands of his children. 2 And it came to pass after the death of Levi, when all Egypt saw that the sons of Jacob the brethren of Joseph were dead, all the Egyptians began to afflict the children of Jacob, and to embitter their lives from that day unto the day of their going forth from Egypt, and they took from their hands all the vineyards and fields which Joseph had given unto them, and all the elegant houses in which the people of Israel lived, and all the fat of Egypt, the Egyptians took all from the sons of Jacob in those days. 3 And the hand of all Egypt became more grievous in those days against the children of Israel, and the Egyptians injured the Israelites until the children of Israel were wearied of their lives on account of the Egyptians. 4 And it came to pass in those days, in the hundred and second year of Israel's going down to Egypt, that Pharaoh king of Egypt died, and Melol his son reigned in his stead, and all the mighty men of Egypt and all that generation which knew Joseph and his brethren died in those days. 5 And another generation rose up in their stead, which had not known the sons of Jacob and all the good which they had done to them, and all their might in Egypt. 6 Therefore all Egypt began from that day forth to embitter the lives of the sons of Jacob, and to afflict them with all manner of hard labor, because they had not known their ancestors who had delivered them in the days of the famine. 7 And this was also from the Lord, for the children of Israel, to benefit them in their latter days, in order that all the children of Israel might know the Lord their God. 8 And in order to know the signs and mighty wonders which the Lord would do in Egypt on account of his people Israel, in order that the children of Israel might fear the Lord God of their ancestors, and walk in all his ways, they and their seed after them all the days. 9 Melol was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned ninety-four years, and all Egypt called his name Pharaoh after the name of his father, as it was their custom to do to every king who reigned over them in Egypt. 10 At that time all the troops of Angeas king of Africa went forth to spread along the land of Chittim as usual for plunder. 11 And Zepho the son of Eliphaz the son of Esau heard their report, and he went forth to meet them with his army, and he fought them there in the road. 12 And Zepho smote the troops of the king of Africa with the edge of the sword, and left none remaining of them, and not even one returned to his master in Africa. 13 And Angeas heard of this which Zepho the son of Eliphaz had done to all his troops, that he had destroyed them, and Angeas assembled all his troops, all the men of the land of Africa, a people numerous like the sand by the sea shore. 14 And Angeas sent to Lucus his brother, saying, Come to me with all thy men and help me to smite Zepho and all the children of Chittim who have destroyed my men, and Lucus came with his whole army, a very great force, to assist Angeas his brother to fight with Zepho and the children of Chittim. 15 And Zepho and the children of Chittim heard this thing, and they were greatly afraid and a great terror fell upon their hearts. 16 And Zepho also sent a letter to the land of Edom to Hadad the son of Bedad king of Edom and to all the children of Esau, saying, 17 I have heard that Angeas king of Africa is coming to us with his brother for battle against us, and we are greatly afraid of him, for his army is very great, particularly as he comes against us with his brother and his army likewise. 18 Now therefore come you also up with me and help me, and we will fight together against Angeas and his brother Lucus, and you will save us out of their hands, but if not, know ye that we shall all die. 19 And the children of Esau sent a letter to the children of Chittim and to Zepho their king, saying, We cannot fight against Angeas and his people for a covenant of peace has been between us these many years, from the days of Bela the first king, and from the days of Joseph the son of Jacob king of Egypt, with whom we fought on the other side of Jordan when he buried his father. 20 And when Zepho heard the words of his brethren the children of Esau he refrained from them, and Zepho was greatly afraid of Angeas. 21 And Angeas and Lucus his brother arrayed all their forces, about eight hundred thousand men, against the children of Chittim. 22 And all the children of Chittim said unto Zepho, Pray for us to the God of thy ancestors, peradventure he may deliver us from the hand of Angeas and his army, for we have heard that he is a great God and that he delivers all who trust in him. 23 And Zepho heard their words, and Zepho sought the Lord and he said, 24 0 Lord God of Abraham and Isaac my ancestors, this day I know that thou art a true God, and all the gods of the nations are vain and useless. 25 Remember now this day unto me thy covenant with Abraham our father, which our ancestors related unto us, and do graciously with me this day for the sake of Abraham and Isaac our fathers, and save me and the children of Chittim from the hand of the king of Africa who comes against us for battle. 26 And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Zepho, and he had regard for him on account of Abraham and Isaac, and the Lord delivered Zepho and the children of Chittim from the hand of Angeas and his people. 27 And Zepho fought Angeas king of Africa and all his people on that day, and the Lord gave all the people of Angeas into the hands of the children of Chittim. 28 And the battle was severe upon Angeas, and Zepho smote all the men of Angeas and Lucus his brother, with the edge of the sword, and there fell from them unto the evening of that day about four hundred thousand men. 29 And when Angeas saw that all his men perished, he sent a letter to all the inhabitants of Africa to come to him, to assist him in the battle, and he wrote in the letter, saying, All who are found in Africa let them come unto me from ten years old and upward; let them all come unto me, and behold if he comes not he shall die, and all that he has, with his whole household, the king will take. 30 And all the rest of the inhabitants of Africa were terrified at the words of Angeas, and there went out of the city about three hundred thousand men and boys, from ten years upward, and they came to Angeas. 31 And at the end of ten days Angeas renewed the battle against Zepho and the children of Chittim, and the battle was very great and strong between them. 32 And from the army of Angeas and Lucus, Zepho sent many of the wounded unto his hand, about two thousand men, and Sosiphtar the captain of the host of Angeas fell in that battle. 33 And when Sosiphtar had fallen, the African troops turned their backs to flee, and they fled, and Angeas and Lucus his brother were with them. 34 And Zepho and the children of Chittim pursued them, and they smote them still heavily on the road, about two hundred men, and they pursued Azdrubal the son of Angeas who had fled with his father, and they smote twenty of his men in the road, and Azdrubal escaped from the children of Chittim, and they did not slay him. 35 And Angeas and Lucus his brother fled with the rest of their men, and they escaped and came into Africa with terror and consternation, and Angeas feared all the days lest Zepho the son of Eliphaz should go to war with him. Next: Chapter 64 Sacred Texts | Christianity « Previous: Book of Jasher, Chapter 62 Index Next: Book of Jasher, Chapter 64 »
