The Book of the Wars of the Lord
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon. (Numbers 21:14.)
The American Standard Version renders it “the book of the wars of Jehovah,” as does the Darby Bible Translation. The World English Bible translates it as “the book of the wars of Yahweh” and Young’s Literal Translation, “a book, ‘the wars of Jehovah.’”
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says:
Of “the book of the wars of the Lord” nothing is known except what may be gathered from the passage before us. It was apparently a collection of sacred odes commemorative of that triumphant progress of God’s people which this chapter records. From it is taken the ensuing fragment of ancient poetry relating to the passage of the Arnon River, and probably also the Song of the Well, and the Ode on the Conquest of the Kingdom of Sihon Numbers 21:17-18, Numbers 21:27-30.
Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible says:
The book of the wars of the Lord — There are endless conjectures about this book, both among ancients and moderns. Dr. Lightfoot’s opinion is the most simple, and to me bears the greatest appearance of being the true one. “This book seems to have been some book of remembrances and directions, written by Moses for Joshua’s private instruction for the management of the wars after him. See Exodus 17:14-16. It may be that this was the same book which is called the book of Jasher, i. e., the book of the upright, or a directory for Joshua, from Moses, what to do and what to expect in his wars; and in this book it seems as if Moses directed the setting up of archery, see 2 Samuel 1:18, and warrants Joshua to command the sun, and expect its obedience, Joshua 10:13.”
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible says:
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, . . . . A history of wars in former times, which the Lord had suffered to be in the world; and which, as Aben Ezra thinks, reached from the times of Abraham and so might begin with the battle of the kings in his time, and take in others in later times, and particularly those of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and his conquests of some parts of Moab; and to this book, which might be written by some one of those nations.
Geneva Study Bible says:
Which seems to be the book of the Judges, or as some think, a book which is lost.
Wesley’s Notes says:
21:14 The book of the wars of the Lord — This seems to have been some poem or narration of the wars and victories of the Lord, either by: or relating to the Israelites: which may be asserted without any prejudice to the integrity of the holy scripture, because this book doth not appear to have been written by a prophet, er [sic] to be designed for a part of the canon, which yet Moses might quote, as St. Paul doth some of the heathen poets. And as St. Luke assures us, that many did write an history of the things done, and said by Christ, Luke 1:1, whose writings were never received as canonical, the like may be conceived concerning this and some few other books mentioned in the old testament.
I’m not sure how Wesley came up with the idea that “this book doth not appear to have been written by a prophet” from the mere mention of the book. One cannot make assumptions, not even one so great as was Wesley, that because something is done in the New Testament, that the same applies to the Old Testament.
One thing that amazes me, though, is that so much can be gleaned from merely a mention of the name of a book.
More to come.
the name of other books in the bible
thank you, emima, for your comment, although I must confess that I am not sure what you are trying to get across. Do you mean, other books in the Bible like Isaiah? John? Or do you mean other books that are mentioned in the Bible but are not present in the Bible? If you mean the latter, then read the rest of the posts in this series. If you mean the former, then I’m not sure what your point is. Thank you again. Have a great day.
I am reading Conjugial Love by Emanual Swedenborg and he quotes “..the Word given to the inhabitants of Asia
before the Israelitish Word, the historical books of which are called
‘The Wars of Jehovah,’ and the prophetical books, ‘Enunciations,’5
both mentioned by Moses in Num. 21:14, 15, 27–30. This Word
at the present day is lost in the countries of Asia and is preserved
only in Great Tartary.”
Thanks. That’s very interesting. Do you have s source for this book? I assume it hasn’t been translated into English. I’m not familiar with the Great Tartary. I looked up your verses and didn’t see anything except the mention of the book of the wars of the Lord. In verse 31, it says< "Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites." Are you saying the Great Tartary has something to do with the land of the Amorites? I'm not sure what you're getting at in your comment. I'd be happy if you would elicidate. Thanks again.