Book of the Wars of the Lord

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The Book of the Wars of the Lord is one of several non-canonical books referenced in the Bible which has now been completely lost.^[1] It is mentioned in Numbers 21:14-15, which reads: "From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the desert and bounding the Amorite territory. For Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. That is why the Book of the Wars of the LORD says: '... Waheb in Suphah and the ravines of Arnon, and at the stream of the ravines that lead to the dwelling of Ar, which lies along the border of Moab.'"

Amongst academics, it is generally thought to be a collection of victory songs or poems,^[2] although some readers have suggested it may be a prose military history. It has been suggested by the theologian Joseph Barber Lightfoot that the book was one and the same as the mysterious biblical Book of Jasher.

The Book of the Wars of the Lord is cited in the mediaeval Book of Jasher Chapter 90:48 as being a collaborative record written by Moses, Joshua, and the children of Israel.^[3]

[edit] See also

• Table of books of Judeo-Christian Scripture
• Lamech
• Lost work

[edit] References

1. ^ Student, Gil. On the Authorship of the Torah. (Aishdas.org) The author writes: "So far, we have seen the talmudic and midrashic evidence that the forefathers, including Moshe, wrote books other than the Torah that were maintained and studied. However, there is also much internal evidence that there were other books written. Consider the following verses," after which the author cites as examples of lost books Exodus 17:14 (words written in remembrance of the destruction of Amalek), Exodus 24:7 (Book of the Covenant), Numbers 11:26 (recorded ones), Numbers 21:14 (Book of the Wars of the Lord), and Numbers 33:2 (Journeys).
2. ^ Dill, Gregory B. "Mystery Books of the Bible". Retrieved February 25, 2005.
3. ^ Book of Jasher 90:48