(1-minute read)
In a tale of epic battles and shifting allegiances, Zepho, the fearless son of Eliphaz, rises against relentless African invaders seeking to plunder his land. Triumphing against formidable odds, Zepho’s victories send ripples of terror through Africa, as he and his warriors smite their enemies and even strike fear into Angeas, the mighty king of Africa. But even as he enjoys his newfound power, Zepho forgets the divine aid that helped him succeed, turning instead to the gods of his people and the customs of his ancestors. In an ominous reminder that “from the wicked goes forth wickedness,” Zepho’s reign is secured but haunted by the forsaken power that once saved him.
Major Characters
Minor Characters
Insignificant Characters
JASHER
100%
Exposition
Y: 2333 | Zepho smote the troops of Angeas a 2nd time
Jasher 62:25-27
J: 48 | Y: 2335 | Levi died
Jasher 63:1
The Egyptians begin to take from the Israelites
Jasher 63:2-3
Y: 2346 | Pharaoh died and Melol his son reigned in his stead
Jasher 63:4
Rising Action
The Egyptians forgot about the good of the Israelites and began to afflict them
Jasher 63:5-8
Melol became Pharaoh for 94 years
Jasher 63:9
Zepho smote the troops of Angeas a 3rd time
Jasher 63:10-12
Climax
Angeas asks Lucus to join him in battling Zepho
Jasher 63:13-14
Zepho asks Hadad to join him in battle but he refuses
Jasher 63:15-20
Angeas and Lucas approach Zepho
Jasher 63:21
Zepho prays to YHWH and He grants his request
Jasher 63:22-26
Zepho begins winning against Angeas
Jasher 63:27-28
Angeas calls for assistance
Jasher 63:29-30
The battle continues and concludes with Angeas and Lucas retreating
Jasher 63:31-35
Falling Action
Balaam joins Zepho who gives him gifts
Jasher 64:1-2
Resolution
Zepho counts his army and sees that none of his men died so he holds a feast
Jasher 64:3-4
Zepho did not give glory to YHWH for his victory
Jasher 64:5-6
Year: 2333
Zepho smote the troops of Angeas a 2nd time
Jasher 62:25-27
25 And it came to pass in the ninety-first year of the Israelites going down to Egypt, that is in the thirtieth year of the reign of Zepho the son of Eliphaz, the son of Esau, over the children of Chittim, the children of Africa came upon the children of Chittim to plunder them as usual, but they had not come upon them for these thirteen years.
26 And they came to them in that year, and Zepho the son of Eliphaz went out to them with some of his men and smote them desperately, and the troops of Africa fled from before Zepho and the slain fell before him, and Zepho and his men pursued them, going on and smiting them until they were near unto Africa.
27 And Angeas king of Africa heard the thing which Zepho had done, and it vexed him exceedingly, and Angeas was afraid of Zepho all the days.
Jubilee: 48
Year: 2335
Levi diedi
Jasher 63:1
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.
The Egyptians begin to take from the Israelites
Jasher 63:2-3
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.
Year: 2346
Pharaoh died and Melol his son reigned in his stead
Jasher 63:4
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.
The Egyptians forgot about the good of the Israelites and began to afflict them
Jasher 63:5-8
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.
Melol became Pharaoh for 94 years
Jasher 63:9
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.
Zepho smote the troops of Angeas a 3rd time
Jasher 63:10-12
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.
Angeas asks Lucus to join him in battling Zepho
Jasher 63:13-14
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.
Zepho asks Hadad to join him in battle but he refuses
Jasher 63:15-20
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.
Angeas and Lucas approach Zepho
Jasher 63:21
21 And Angeas and Lucus his brother arrayed all their forces, about eight hundred thousand men, against the children of Chittim.
Zepho prays to YHWH and He grants his request
Jasher 63:22-26
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.
Zepho begins winning against Angeas
Jasher 63:27-28
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.
Angeas calls for assistance
Jasher 63:29-30
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.
The battle continues and concludes with Angeas and Lucas retreating
Jasher 63:31-35
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.
Balaam joins Zepho who gives him gifts
Jasher 64:1-2
1 And Balaam the son of Beor was at that time with Angeas in the battle, and when he saw that Zepho prevailed over Angeas, he fled from there and came to Chittim.
2 And Zepho and the children of Chittim received him with great honor, for Zepho knew Balaam’s wisdom, and Zepho gave unto Balaam many gifts and he remained with him.
Zepho counts his army and sees that none of his men died so he holds a feast
Jasher 64:3-4
3 And when Zepho had returned from the war, he commanded all the children of Chittim to be numbered who had gone into battle with him, and behold not one was missed.
4 And Zepho rejoiced at this thing, and he renewed his kingdom, and he made a feast to all his subjects.
Zepho did not give glory to YHWH for his victory
Jasher 64:5-6
5 But Zepho remembered not the Lord and considered not that the Lord had helped him in battle, and that he had delivered him and his people from the hand of the king of Africa, but still walked in the ways of the children of Chittim and the wicked children of Esau, to serve other gods which his brethren the children of Esau had taught him; it is therefore said, From the wicked goes forth wickedness.
6 And Zepho reigned over all the children of Chittim securely, but knew not the Lord who had delivered him and all his people from the hand of the king of Africa; and the troops of Africa came no more to Chittim to plunder as usual, for they knew of the power of Zepho who had smitten them all at the edge of the sword, so Angeas was afraid of Zepho the son of Eliphaz, and of the children of Chittim all the days.
i. According to the “Israelites entering Egypt time scale”, Levi was 138 when he died, not 137.
(16-minute read)
Exposition
Y: 2333 | Zepho smote the troops of Angeas a 2nd time
Jasher 62:25-27
In the 91st year since the Israelites went down to Egypt, which was also the 30th year of Zepho son of Eliphaz, son of Esau, ruling over the people of Chittim, the people of Africa came against the Chittim again to plunder them, as they had in the past. However, they had not attacked for the last 13 years.
That year, they came again, and Zepho, son of Eliphaz, went out with some of his men and fought fiercely against them. The African troops fled before Zepho, and many were killed. Zepho and his men chased them and kept striking them down until they neared Africa. When Angeas, king of Africa, heard what Zepho had done, he was extremely upset and lived in fear of Zepho from that day on.
J: 48 | Y: 2335 | Levi died
Jasher 63:1
In the 93rd year, Levi the son of Jacob died in Egypt at the age of 137. He was placed in a coffin and entrusted to his children.
The Egyptians begin to take from the Israelites
Jasher 63:2-3
After Levi’s death, when all Egypt saw that the sons of Jacob—Joseph’s brothers—were gone, the Egyptians began to oppress the descendants of Jacob and make their lives bitter. This continued until the day the Israelites left Egypt. They took away all the vineyards and fields Joseph had given to them, along with the fine houses where the people of Israel lived, and all the wealth of Egypt. The Egyptians seized everything from the sons of Jacob during that time.
The oppression from the Egyptians became more severe, and they mistreated the Israelites so badly that the people began to feel hopeless because of their suffering.
Y: 2346 | Pharaoh died and Melol his son reigned in his stead
Jasher 63:4
In the 102nd year since Israel’s arrival in Egypt, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, died. His son Melol took his place. Around that same time, all the mighty men of Egypt and the generation that had known Joseph and his brothers also died.
Rising Action
The Egyptians forgot about the good of the Israelites and began to afflict them
Jasher 63:5-8
A new generation rose up that didn’t know the sons of Jacob or the good they had done, or their strength while in Egypt. So, from that point on, Egypt began to make the lives of Jacob’s descendants bitter again, burdening them with all kinds of hard labor, since they had no memory of those who had saved them during the famine.
But this too came from the Lord, as a way to benefit Israel in the future. It was so that all the children of Israel would come to know the Lord their God, to witness the signs and wonders He would perform in Egypt on their behalf, and so that they and their descendants would revere and follow Him for all time.
Melol became Pharaoh for 94 years
Jasher 63:9
Melol was 20 years old when he became king, and he reigned for 94 years. As was the custom in Egypt, everyone called him Pharaoh, taking after his father’s title.
Zepho smote the troops of Angeas a 3rd time
Jasher 63:10-12
During that time, all the troops of Angeas, king of Africa, came once again to spread out across the land of Chittim for plunder. Zepho, son of Eliphaz, son of Esau, heard what was happening and went out with his army to confront them.
He struck the troops of the king of Africa with the sword, killing all of them. Not one soldier made it back to Africa.
Climax
Angeas asks Lucus to join him in battling Zepho
Jasher 63:13-14
When Angeas heard what Zepho had done to his entire army—completely destroying them—he gathered all the men of Africa, a number as countless as the sand on the seashore.
He sent a message to his brother Lucus, saying, “Come with all your men and help me fight Zepho and the children of Chittim who destroyed my army.” Lucus came with a massive force to help his brother fight Zepho and the people of Chittim.
Zepho asks Hadad to join him in battle but he refuses
Jasher 63:15-20
When Zepho and the people of Chittim heard about this, they were terrified, and fear gripped their hearts. Zepho sent a letter to Edom, to Hadad son of Bedad, king of Edom, and to all the children of Esau, saying, “We’ve heard that Angeas, king of Africa, is coming with his brother to fight us, and we’re very afraid because his army is huge. Since he’s bringing both his and his brother’s forces, come help us fight them. If you don’t, know that we will all die.”
But the children of Esau replied in a letter to Zepho and the people of Chittim, saying, “We can’t fight against Angeas and his people, because we’ve had a peace agreement with them for many years, ever since the days of Bela, our first king, and the days of Joseph son of Jacob, king of Egypt, with whom we fought across the Jordan when he buried his father.”
When Zepho read the reply from his brothers, the children of Esau, he left them alone. But he was deeply afraid of Angeas.
Angeas and Lucas approach Zepho
Jasher 63:21
Angeas and his brother Lucus gathered all their forces—about 800,000 men—against the children of Chittim.
Zepho prays to YHWH and He grants his request
Jasher 63:22-26
All the people of Chittim said to Zepho, “Pray to the God of your ancestors. Maybe He’ll save us from Angeas and his army. We’ve heard He’s a powerful God who helps those who trust in Him.”
Zepho listened and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Lord God of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac, today I know You are the true God and that the gods of the nations are empty and worthless. Please remember Your covenant with Abraham, which our ancestors told us about. Show kindness to me today for the sake of Abraham and Isaac, and save me and the people of Chittim from the king of Africa who is coming to fight us.”
The Lord heard Zepho’s prayer and responded because of Abraham and Isaac. He delivered Zepho and the people of Chittim from Angeas and his army.
Zepho begins winning against Angeas
Jasher 63:27-28
Zepho fought Angeas, king of Africa, and his people that day, and the Lord gave them all into the hands of the Chittim. It was a fierce battle, and Zepho struck down all the men of Angeas and Lucus with the sword. By the end of the day, around 400,000 men had fallen.
Angeas calls for assistance
Jasher 63:29-30
When Angeas saw all his men had died, he sent a letter to all the people of Africa asking them to come and help him. The letter said, “Everyone in Africa from 10 years old and up must come to me. If anyone refuses, he will die, and the king will take everything he has, including his whole household.”
Terrified by the king’s message, about 300,000 men and boys, age 10 and older, left the city and joined Angeas.
The battle continues and concludes with Angeas and Lucas retreating
Jasher 63:31-35
Ten days later, Angeas resumed the battle against Zepho and the people of Chittim. It was a massive and intense fight. Zepho wounded around 2,000 men from the army of Angeas and Lucus, and Sosiphtar, the captain of Angeas’s army, was killed.
When Sosiphtar died, the African troops panicked and fled. Angeas and Lucus fled with them. Zepho and the Chittim chased them and struck down about 200 more men along the way. They also pursued Azdrubal, son of Angeas, who was fleeing with his father, and killed 20 of his men along the road. Azdrubal managed to escape, and they didn’t kill him.
Angeas and Lucus fled with the rest of their army and returned to Africa, filled with fear and confusion. Angeas remained afraid that Zepho, son of Eliphaz, might come to war against him again.
Falling Action
Balaam joins Zepho who gives him gifts
Jasher 64:1-2
At that time, Balaam son of Beor was with Angeas in battle. When he saw that Zepho had won, he fled and went to Chittim. Zepho and the people of Chittim welcomed him with great honor, because Zepho knew of Balaam’s wisdom. Zepho gave him many gifts, and Balaam stayed with him.
Resolution
Zepho counts his army and sees that none of his men died so he holds a feast
Jasher 64:3-4
After the war, Zepho ordered a count of all the people of Chittim who had gone into battle with him, and not a single man was missing. Zepho was overjoyed and restored his kingdom. He held a feast for all his people.
Zepho did not give glory to YHWH for his victory
Jasher 64:5-6
But Zepho didn’t remember the Lord or consider that He had helped him in battle and saved him and his people from the king of Africa. Instead, he continued living like the people of Chittim and the wicked descendants of Esau, serving other gods as the children of Esau had taught him. That’s why it’s said, “From the wicked goes forth wickedness.”
Zepho ruled over the people of Chittim in peace, but he never came to know the Lord who had delivered him. After that, the African troops never came again to Chittim to plunder as they had before, because they knew the strength of Zepho, who had defeated them with the sword. Angeas remained afraid of Zepho, son of Eliphaz, and the people of Chittim for the rest of his life.
This chart shows who was alive in the years 2333-2346.