Page:Sefer ha-Yashar or the book of Jasher (1840).djvu/22

XII Jasher informs us, that in the days of Peleg, not only the families of the human race were separated and spread abroad, but that the earth itself was divided; and of both these facts, it may be presumed, there are sufficient existing evidences, even at this day. This book gives, also, a more detailed account of the genealogies of the descendants of Japheth, Shem, and Ham, and of the various parts of the earth which were colonized by them.

Connected with this period of the history is given an account of Nimrod; in which is strikingly depicted the arbitrary and violent character of his conduct and government. The contested point, as to whether Nimrod was the founder of the Assyrian Empire, is here decided. The cause of the dispute amongst commentators proceeded from the word in Gen. chapter x. ver. 11, signifying either the name of a man, or the name of the land of Assyria. Jasher has it thus:

“And Asher, the son of Shem, went forth, he and his sons, and the children of his household, &c., and they there built four cities.”

Jasher clearly elucidates a number of genealogical and chronological difficulties, which occur in the Bible; an instance is here adduced of the genealogy of Seir, the Horite, upon which the Bible is silent.

The learned commentator, Aben Ezra, remarks, “Seir, his genealogy we do not know;” and the word  is supposed to come from  a noble; but Jasher gives us the descent of Seir, (which accounts for his being called the Horite,) in the following words:

“And Seir, the son of Hur, the son of Hivi, the son of Canaan, went,” &c.; hence he was called the Horite, from Hur, his father.

The character of Abraham, for piety, true dignity and hospitality, appears to stand unrivalled; but the most affecting and beautiful account in this book, is that of Abraham offering up his son Isaac. The mutual affection of the father and son, and their willing devotion and obedience to the commands of their Maker, are so exquisitely described, that the heart of him who can peruse the narrative without being deeply affected, must be callous indeed. The conduct of Sarah, as connected with this unexampled and glorious event, was altogether worthy of the wife of Abraham, and the mother of Isaac. At this time Sarah died at Kireath-arba. Her funeral is described as having been magnificent; and it is expressly mentioned, that it was attended by Shem, the son of Noah, Eber his son, king Abimelech, together with Anar, Ashcol and Mamre, and other great people of the land.