Fire
(2-minute read)
In a sweeping saga spanning generations, Abram emerges as a figure of unparalleled courage and faith. From his miraculous survival in the fiery furnace, where even the king’s men perished, to his flight from Nimrod’s wrathful pursuit, Abram’s destiny unfolds amidst prophecies and peril. The king, Nimrod, haunted by ominous dreams of Abram’s rise, seeks to extinguish the threat to his reign. Yet, despite numerous attempts to capture him, Abram evades capture, finding refuge in the house of Noah and Shem.
As years pass, Abram’s resolve strengthens. In a daring act at 60, under cover of night, he incinerates the idols worshipped by Nimrod’s subjects. This brazen act of defiance signals a turning point in Abram’s journey—a symbol of his unwavering devotion to the one true God and his rejection of false idols. The tension escalates as Abram’s actions challenge not only the king’s authority but the very fabric of societal beliefs, setting the stage for future conflicts and revelations.
Through trials of fire and dreams laden with prophecy, Abram emerges not just as a survivor, but as a catalyst for divine intervention and human redemption. His path is fraught with danger and divine guidance, forging a legacy that transcends mortal kings and earthly fears.
Major Characters
Minor Characters
Insignificant Characters
GENESIS
3%
JASHER
85%
JUBILEES
12%
Exposition
J: 41 | Y: 1980? | Nimrod continues to reign in Shinar
Jasher 11:1-8
Y: 1996 | Chedorlaomer conquers 5 cities and enforces a yearly tax
Jasher 11:9-11
Y: 1997 | Peleg died
Genesis 11:19, Jasher 10:1
Y: 1998 | Nahor died
Genesis 11:25, Jasher 11:12
Rising Action
Abram finishes beings instructed by Noah and Shem
Jasher 9:6a
Y: 1999 | Abram destroys his father’s idols
Jasher 11:13-61
Climax
Abram thrown in prison and the fiery furnace
Jasher 12:1-43
Falling Action
Abram marries Sarai and Nahor marries Milcah
Genesis 11:29-30, Jasher 12:44, Jubilees 12:9, 11
Y: 2001 | King Nimrod’s dream
Jasher 12:45-70
Resolution
Abram burns his father’s house of idols
Genesis 11:28, Jubilees 12:12-14
Jubilee: 41
Year: 1980
Nimrod continues to reign in Shinar
Jasher 11:1-8
1 And Nimrod son of Cush was still in the land of Shinar, and he reigned over it and dwelt there, and he built cities in the land of Shinar.
2 And these are the names of the four cities which he built, and he called their names after the occurrences that happened to them in the building of the tower.
3 And he called the first Babel, saying, Because the Lord there confounded the language of the whole earth; and the name of the second he called Erech, because from there God dispersed them.
4 And the third he called Eched, saying there was a great battle at that place; and the fourth he called Calnah, because his princes and mighty men were consumed there, and they vexed the Lord, they rebelled and transgressed against him.
5 And when Nimrod had built these cities in the land of Shinar, he placed in them the remainder of his people, his princes and his mighty men that were left in his kingdom.
6 And Nimrod dwelt in Babel, and he there renewed his reign over the rest of his subjects, and he reigned securely, and the subjects and princes of Nimrod called his name Amraphel, saying that at the tower his princes and men fell through his means.
7 And notwithstanding this, Nimrod did not return to the Lord, and he continued in wickedness and teaching wickedness to the sons of men; and Mardon, his son, was worse than his father, and continued to add to the abominations of his father.
8 And he caused the sons of men to sin, therefore it is said, From the wicked goeth forth wickedness.
Year: 1996
Chedorlaomer conquers 5 cities and enforces a yearly tax
Jasher 11:9-11
9 At that time there was war between the families of the children of Ham, as they were dwelling in the cities which they had built.
10 And Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, went away from the families of the children of Ham, and he fought with them and he subdued them, and he went to the five cities of the plain and he fought against them and he subdued them, and they were under his control.
11 And they served him twelve years, and they gave him a yearly tax.
Year: 1997
Peleg died
Genesis 11:19
19 And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.
Jasher 10:1
1 And Peleg the son of Eber died in those days, in the forty-eighth year of the life of Abram son of Terah, and all the days of Peleg were two hundred and thirty-nine years.
Year: 1998
Nahor died
Genesis 11:25
25 And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.
Jasher 11:12
12 At that time died Nahor, son of Serug, in the forty-ninth year of the life of Abram son of Terah.
Abram finishes being instructed by Noah and Shem
Jasher 9:6a
6a And Abram was in Noah’s house thirty-nine years, and Abram knew the Lord from three years old, and he went in the ways of the Lord until the day of his death, as Noah and his son Shem had taught him;
Year: 1999
Abram destroys his father's idols
Jasher 11:13-61
13 And in the fiftieth year of the life of Abram son of Terah, Abram came forth from the house of Noah, and went to his father’s house.
14 And Abram knew the Lord, and he went in his ways and instructions, and the Lord his God was with him.
15 And Terah his father was in those days, still captain of the host of king Nimrod, and he still followed strange gods.
16 And Abram came to his father’s house and saw twelve gods standing there in their temples, and the anger of Abram was kindled when he saw these images in his father’s house.
17 And Abram said, As the Lord liveth these images shall not remain in my father’s house; so shall the Lord who created me do unto me if in three days’ time I do not break them all.
18 And Abram went from them, and his anger burned within him. And Abram hastened and went from the chamber to his father’s outer court, and he found his father sitting in the court, and all his servants with him, and Abram came and sat before him.
19 And Abram asked his father, saying, Father, tell me where is God who created heaven and earth, and all the sons of men upon earth, and who created thee and me. And Terah answered his son Abram and said, Behold those who created us are all with us in the house.
20 And Abram said to his father, My lord, shew them to me I pray thee; and Terah brought Abram into the chamber of the inner court, and Abram saw, and behold the whole room was full of gods of wood and stone, twelve great images and others less than they without number.
21 And Terah said to his son, Behold these are they which made all thou seest upon earth, and which created me and thee, and all mankind.
22 And Terah bowed down to his gods, and he then went away from them, and Abram, his son, went away with him.
23 And when Abram had gone from them he went to his mother and sat before her, and he said to his mother, Behold, my father has shown me those who made heaven and earth, and all the sons of men.
24 Now, therefore, hasten and fetch a kid from the flock, and make of it savory meat, that I may bring it to my father’s gods as an offering for them to eat; perhaps I may thereby become acceptable to them.
25 And his mother did so, and she fetched a kid, and made savory meat thereof, and brought it to Abram, and Abram took the savory meat from his mother and brought it before his father’s gods, and he drew nigh to them that they might eat; and Terah his father, did not know of it.
26 And Abram saw on the day when he was sitting amongst them, that they had no voice, no hearing, no motion, and not one of them could stretch forth his hand to eat.
27 And Abram mocked them, and said, Surely the savory meat that I prepared has not pleased them, or perhaps it was too little for them, and for that reason they would not eat; therefore tomorrow I will prepare fresh savory meat, better and more plentiful than this, in order that I may see the result.
28 And it was on the next day that Abram directed his mother concerning the savory meat, and his mother rose and fetched three fine kids from the flock, and she made of them some excellent savory meat, such as her son was fond of, and she gave it to her son Abram; and Terah his father did not know of it.
29 And Abram took the savory meat from his mother, and brought it before his father’s gods into the chamber; and he came nigh unto them that they might eat, and he placed it before them, and Abram sat before them all day, thinking perhaps they might eat.
30 And Abram viewed them, and behold they had neither voice nor hearing, nor did one of them stretch forth his hand to the meat to eat.
31 And in the evening of that day in that house Abram was clothed with the spirit of God.
32 And he called out and said, Wo unto my father and this wicked generation, whose hearts are all inclined to vanity, who serve these idols of wood and stone which can neither eat, smell, hear nor speak, who have mouths without speech, eyes without sight, ears without hearing, hands without feeling, and legs which cannot move; like them are those that made them and that trust in them.
33 And when Abram saw all these things his anger was kindled against his father, and he hastened and took a hatchet in his hand, and came unto the chamber of the gods, and he broke all his father’s gods.
34 And when he had done breaking the images, he placed the hatchet in the hand of the great god which was there before them, and he went out; and Terah his father came home, for he had heard at the door the sound of the striking of the hatchet; so Terah came into the house to know what this was about.
35 And Terah, having heard the noise of the hatchet in the room of images, ran to the room to the images, and he met Abram going out.
36 And Terah entered the room and found all the idols fallen down and broken, and the hatchet in the hand of the largest, which was not broken, and the savory meat which Abram his son had made was still before them.
37 And when Terah saw this his anger was greatly kindled, and he hastened and went from the room to Abram.
38 And he found Abram his son still sitting in the house; and he said to him, What is this work thou hast done to my gods?
39 And Abram answered Terah his father and he said, Not so my lord, for I brought savory meat before them, and when I came nigh to them with the meat that they might eat, they all at once stretched forth their hands to eat before the great one had put forth his hand to eat.
40 And the large one saw their works that they did before him, and his anger was violently kindled against them, and he went and took the hatchet that was in the house and came to them and broke them all, and behold the hatchet is yet in his hand as thou seest.
41 And Terah’s anger was kindled against his son Abram, when he spoke this; and Terah said to Abram his son in his anger, What is this tale that thou hast told? Thou speakest lies to me.
42 Is there in these gods spirit, soul or power to do all thou hast told me? Are they not wood and stone, and have I not myself made them, and canst thou speak such lies, saying that the large god that was with them smote them? It is thou that didst place the hatchet in his hands, and then sayest he smote them all.
43 And Abram answered his father and said to him, And how canst thou then serve these idols in whom there is no power to do any thing? Can those idols in which thou trustest deliver thee? can they hear thy prayers when thou callest upon them? can they deliver thee from the hands of thy enemies, or will they fight thy battles for thee against thy enemies, that thou shouldst serve wood and stone which can neither speak nor hear?
44 And now surely it is not good for thee nor for the sons of men that are connected with thee, to do these things; are you so silly, so foolish or so short of understanding that you will serve wood and stone, and do after this manner?
45 And forget the Lord God who made heaven and earth, and who created you in the earth, and thereby bring a great evil upon your souls in this matter by serving stone and wood?
46 Did not our fathers in days of old sin in this matter, and the Lord God of the universe brought the waters of the flood upon them and destroyed the whole earth?
47 And how can you continue to do this and serve gods of wood and stone, who cannot hear, or speak, or deliver you from oppression, thereby bringing down the anger of the God of the universe upon you?
48 Now therefore my father refrain from this, and bring not evil upon thy soul and the souls of thy household.
49 And Abram hastened and sprang from before his father, and took the hatchet from his father’s largest idol, with which Abram broke it and ran away.
50 And Terah, seeing all that Abram had done, hastened to go from his house, and he went to the king and he came before Nimrod and stood before him, and he bowed down to the king; and the king said, What dost thou want?
51 And he said, I beseech thee my lord, to hear me–Now fifty years back a child was born to me, and thus has he done to my gods and thus has he spoken; and now therefore, my lord and king, send for him that he may come before thee, and judge him according to the law, that we may be delivered from his evil.
52 And the king sent three men of his servants, and they went and brought Abram before the king. And Nimrod and all his princes and servants were that day sitting before him, and Terah sat also before them.
53 And the king said to Abram, What is this that thou hast done to thy father and to his gods? And Abram answered the king in the words that he spoke to his father, and he said, The large god that was with them in the house did to them what thou hast heard.
54 And the king said to Abram, Had they power to speak and eat and do as thou hast said? And Abram answered the king, saying, And if there be no power in them why dost thou serve them and cause the sons of men to err through thy follies?
55 Dost thou imagine that they can deliver thee or do anything small or great, that thou shouldst serve them? And why wilt thou not sense the God of the whole universe, who created thee and in whose power it is to kill and keep alive?
56 0 foolish, simple, and ignorant king, woe unto thee forever.
57 I thought thou wouldst teach thy servants the upright way, but thou hast not done this, but hast filled the whole earth with thy sins and the sins of thy people who have followed thy ways.
58 Dost thou not know, or hast thou not heard, that this evil which thou doest, our ancestors sinned therein in days of old, and the eternal God brought the waters of the flood upon them and destroyed them all, and also destroyed the whole earth on their account? And wilt thou and thy people rise up now and do like unto this work, in order to bring down the anger of the Lord God of the universe, and to bring evil upon thee and the whole earth?
59 Now therefore put away this evil deed which thou doest, and serve the God of the universe, as thy soul is in his hands, and then it will be well with thee.
60 And if thy wicked heart will not hearken to my words to cause thee to forsake thy evil ways, and to serve the eternal God, then wilt thou die in shame in the latter days, thou, thy people and all who are connected with thee, hearing thy words or walking in thy evil ways.
61 And when Abram had ceased speaking before the king and princes, Abram lifted up his eyes to the heavens, and he said, The Lord seeth all the wicked, and he will judge them.
Abram thrown in prison and the fiery furnacei
Jasher 12:1-43
1 And when the king heard the words of Abram he ordered him to be put into prison; and Abram was ten days in prison.
2 And at the end of those days the king ordered that all the kings, princes and governors of different provinces and the sages should come before him, and they sat before him, and Abram was still in the house of confinement.
3 And the king said to the princes and sages, Have you heard what Abram, the son of Terah, has done to his father? Thus has he done to him, and I ordered him to be brought before me, and thus has he spoken; his heart did not misgive him, neither did he stir in my presence, and behold now he is confined in the prison.
4 And therefore decide what judgment is due to this man who reviled the king; who spoke and did all the things that you heard.
5 And they all answered the king saying, The man who revileth the king should be hanged upon a tree; but having done all the things that he said, and having despised our gods, he must therefore be burned to death, for this is the law in this matter.
6 If it pleaseth the king to do this, let him order his servants to kindle a fire both night and day in thy brick furnace, and then we will cast this man into it. And the king did so, and he commanded his servants that they should prepare a fire for three days and three nights in the king’s furnace, that is in Casdim; and the king ordered them to take Abram from prison and bring him out to be burned.
7 And all the king’s servants, princes, lords, governors, and judges, and all the inhabitants of the land, about nine hundred thousand men, stood opposite the furnace to see Abram.
8 And all the women and little ones crowded upon the roofs and towers to see what was doing with Abram, and they all stood together at a distance; and there was not a man left that did not come on that day to behold the scene.
9 And when Abram was come, the conjurors of the king and the sages saw Abram, and they cried out to the king, saying, Our sovereign lord, surely this is the man whom we know to have been the child at whose birth the great star swallowed the four stars, which we declared to the king now fifty years since.
10 And behold now his father has also transgressed thy commands, and mocked thee by bringing thee another child, which thou didst kill.
11 And when the king heard their words, he was exceedingly wroth, and he ordered Terah to be brought before him.
12 And the king said, Hast thou heard what the conjurors have spoken? Now tell me truly, how didst thou; and if thou shalt speak truth thou shalt be acquitted.
13 And seeing that the king’s anger was so much kindled, Terah said to the king, My lord and king, thou hast heard the truth, and what the sages have spoken is right. And the king said, How couldst thou do this thing, to transgress my orders and to give me a child that thou didst not beget, and to take value for him?
14 And Terah answered the king, Because my tender feelings were excited for my son, at that time, and I took a son of my handmaid, and I brought him to the king.
15 And the king said Who advised thee to this? Tell me, do not hide aught from me, and then thou shalt not die.
16 And Terah was greatly terrified in the king’s presence, and he said to the king, It was Haran my eldest son who advised me to this; and Haran was in those days that Abram was born, two and thirty years old.
17 But Haran did not advise his father to anything, for Terah said this to the king in order to deliver his soul from the king, for he feared greatly; and the king said to Terah, Haran thy son who advised thee to this shall die through fire with Abram; for the sentence of death is upon him for having rebelled against the king’s desire in doing this thing.
18 And Haran at that time felt inclined to follow the ways of Abram, but he kept it within himself.
19 And Haran said in his heart, Behold now the king has seized Abram on account of these things which Abram did, and it shall come to pass, that if Abram prevail over the king I will follow him, but if the king prevail I will go after the king.
20 And when Terah had spoken this to the king concerning Haran his son, the king ordered Haran to be seized with Abram.
21 And they brought them both, Abram and Haran his brother, to cast them into the fire; and all the inhabitants of the land and the king’s servants and princes and all the women and little ones were there, standing that day over them.
22 And the king’s servants took Abram and his brother, and they stripped them of all their clothes excepting their lower garments which were upon them.
23 And they bound their hands and feet with linen cords, and the servants of the king lifted them up and cast them both into the furnace.
24 And the Lord loved Abram and he had compassion over him, and the Lord came down and delivered Abram from the fire and he was not burned.
25 But all the cords with which they bound him were burned, while Abram remained and walked about in the fire.
26 And Haran died when they had cast him into the fire, and he was burned to ashes, for his heart was not perfect with the Lord; and those men who cast him into the fire, the flame of the fire spread over them, and they were burned, and twelve men of them died.
27 And Abram walked in the midst of the fire three days and three nights, and all the servants of the king saw him walking in the fire, and they came and told the king, saying, Behold we have seen Abram walking about in the midst of the fire, and even the lower garments which are upon him are not burned, but the cord with which he was bound is burned.
28 And when the king heard their words his heart fainted and he would not believe them; so he sent other faithful princes to see this matter, and they went and saw it and told it to the king; and the king rose to go and see it, and he saw Abram walking to and fro in the midst of the fire, and he saw Haran’s body burned, and the king wondered greatly.
29 And the king ordered Abram to be taken out from the fire; and his servants approached to take him out and they could not, for the fire was round about and the flame ascending toward them from the furnace.
30 And the king’s servants fled from it, and the king rebuked them, saying, Make haste and bring Abram out of the fire that you shall not die.
31 And the servants of the king again approached to bring Abram out, and the flames came upon them and burned their faces so that eight of them died.
32 And when the king saw that his servants could not approach the fire lest they should be burned, the king called to Abram, O servant of the God who is in heaven, go forth from amidst the fire and come hither before me; and Abram hearkened to the voice of the king, and he went forth from the fire and came and stood before the king.
33 And when Abram came out the king and all his servants saw Abram coming before the king, with his lower garments upon him, for they were not burned, but the cord with which he was bound was burned.
34 And the king said to Abram, How is it that thou wast not burned in the fire?
35 And Abram said to the king, The God of heaven and earth in whom I trust and who has all in his power, he delivered me from the fire into which thou didst cast me.
36 And Haran the brother of Abram was burned to ashes, and they sought for his body, and they found it consumed.
37 And Haran was eighty-two years old when he died in the fire of Casdim. And the king, princes, and inhabitants of the land, seeing that Abram was delivered from the fire, they came and bowed down to Abram.
38 And Abram said to them, Do not bow down to me, but bow down to the God of the world who made you, and serve him, and go in his ways for it is he who delivered me from out of this fire, and it is he who created the souls and spirits of all men, and formed man in his mother’s womb, and brought him forth into the world, and it is he who will deliver those who trust in him from all pain.
39 And this thing seemed very wonderful in the eyes of the king and princes, that Abram was saved from the fire and that Haran was burned; and the king gave Abram many presents and he gave him his two head servants from the king’s house; the name of one was Oni and the name of the other was Eliezer.
40 And all the kings, princes and servants gave Abram many gifts of silver and gold and pearl, and the king and his princes sent him away, and he went in peace.
41 And Abram went forth from the king in peace, and many of the king’s servants followed him, and about three hundred men joined him.
42 And Abram returned on that day and went to his father’s house, he and the men that followed him, and Abram served the Lord his God all the days of his life, and he walked in his ways and followed his law.
43 And from that day forward Abram inclined the hearts of the sons of men to serve the Lord.
Abram marries Sarai and Nahor marries Milcahii
Genesis 11:29-30
29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
Jasher 12:44
44 And at that time Nahor and Abram took unto themselves wives, the daughters of their brother Haran; the wife of Nahor was Milca and the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai. And Sarai, wife of Abram, was barren; she had no offspring in those days.
Jubilees 12:9
9 And in the fortieth jubilee, in the second week, in the seventh year thereof, [1925 A.M.] Abram took to himself a wife, and her name was Sarai, the daughter of his father, and she became his wife.
Jubilees 12:11
11 And Nahor, his brother, took to himself a wife.
Year: 2001
King Nimrod's dream
Jasher 12:45-70
45 And at the expiration of two years from Abram’s going out of the fire, that is in the fifty-second year of his life, behold king Nimrod sat in Babel upon the throne, and the king fell asleep and dreamed that he was standing with his troops and hosts in a valley opposite the king’s furnace.
46 And he lifted up his eyes and saw a man in the likeness of Abram coming forth from the furnace, and that he came and stood before the king with his drawn sword, and then sprang to the king with his sword, when the king fled from the man, for he was afraid; and while he was running, the man threw an egg upon the king’s head, and the egg became a great river.
47 And the king dreamed that all his troops sank in that river and died, and the king took flight with three men who were before him and he escaped.
48 And the king looked at these men and they were clothed in princely dresses as the garments of kings, and had the appearance and majesty of kings.
49 And while they were running, the river again turned to an egg before the king, and there came forth from the egg a young bird which came before the king, and flew at his head and plucked out the king’s eye.
50 And the king was grieved at the sight, and he awoke out of his sleep and his spirit was agitated; and he felt a great terror.
51 And in the morning the king rose from his couch in fear, and he ordered all the wise men and magicians to come before him, when the king related his dream to them.
52 And a wise servant of the king, whose name was Anuki, answered the king, saying, This is nothing else but the evil of Abram and his seed which will spring up against my Lord and king in the latter days.
53 And behold the day will come when Abram and his seed and the children of his household will war with my king, and they will smite all the king’s hosts and his troops.
54 And as to what thou hast said concerning three men which thou didst see like unto thyself, and which did escape, this means that only thou wilt escape with three kings from the kings of the earth who will be with thee in battle.
55 And that which thou sawest of the river which turned to an egg as at first, and the young bird plucking out thine eye, this means nothing else but the seed of Abram which will slay the king in latter days.
56 This is my king’s dream, and this is its interpretation, and the dream is true, and the interpretation which thy servant has given thee is right.
57 Now therefore my king, surely thou knowest that it is now fifty-two years since thy sages saw this at the birth of Abram, and if my king will suffer Abram to live in the earth it will be to the injury of my lord and king, for all the days that Abram liveth neither thou nor thy kingdom will be established, for this was known formerly at his birth; and why will not my king slay him, that his evil may be kept from thee in latter days?
58 And Nimrod hearkened to the voice of Anuki, and he sent some of his servants in secret to go and seize Abram, and bring him before the king to suffer death.
59 And Eliezer, Abram’s servant whom the king had given him, was at that time in the presence of the king, and he heard what Anuki had advised the king, and what the king had said to cause Abram’s death.
60 And Eliezer said to Abram, Hasten, rise up and save thy soul, that thou mayest not die through the hands of the king, for thus did he see in a dream concerning thee, and thus did Anuki interpret it, and thus also did Anuki advise the king concerning thee.
61 And Abram hearkened to the voice of Eliezer, and Abram hastened and ran for safety to the house of Noah and his son Shem, and he concealed himself there and found a place of safety; and the king’s servants came to Abram’s house to seek him, but they could not find him, and they searched through out the country and he was not to be found, and they went and searched in every direction and he was not to be met with.
62 And when the king’s servants could not find Abram they returned to the king, but the king’s anger against Abram was stilled, as they did not find him, and the king drove from his mind this matter concerning Abram.
63 And Abram was concealed in Noah’s house for one month, until the king had forgotten this matter, but Abram was still afraid of the king; and Terah came to see Abram his son secretly in the house of Noah, and Terah was very great in the eyes of the king.
64 And Abram said to his father, Dost thou not know that the king thinketh to slay me, and to annihilate my name from the earth by the advice of his wicked counsellors?
65 Now whom hast thou here and what hast thou in this land? Arise, let us go together to the land of Canaan, that we may be delivered from his hand, lest thou perish also through him in the latter days.
66 Dost thou not know or hast thou not heard, that it is not through love that Nimrod giveth thee all this honor, but it is only for his benefit that he bestoweth all this good upon thee?
67 And if he do unto thee greater good than this, surely these are only vanities of the world, for wealth and riches cannot avail in the day of wrath and anger.
68 Now therefore hearken to my voice, and let us arise and go to the land of Canaan, out of the reach of injury from Nimrod; and serve thou the Lord who created thee in the earth and it will be well with thee; and cast away all the vain things which thou pursuest.
69 And Abram ceased to speak, when Noah and his son Shem answered Terah, saying, True is the word which Abram hath said unto thee.
70 And Terah hearkened to the voice of his son Abram, and Terah did all that Abram said, for this was from the Lord, that the king should not cause Abram’s death.
Abram burns his father's house of idolsiii
Jubilees 12:12-13
12 And in the sixtieth year of the life of Abram, that is, in the fourth week, in the fourth year thereof, [1936 A.M.] Abram arose by night, and burned the house of the idols, and he burned all that was in the house and no man knew it.
13 And they arose in the night and sought to save their gods from the midst of the fire.
Genesis 11:28
28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
Jubilees 12:14
14 And Haran hasted to save them, but the fire flamed over him, and he was burnt in the fire, and he died in Ur of the Chaldees before Terah his father, and they buried him in Ur of the Chaldees.
i. According to Jasher 12:26, Haran was thrown into the fiery furnace with Abram (who was 50 years old) and he died. According to Jubilees 12:12-14, Abram (who was 60 years old) burned his father’s house of idols and when Haran tried to save the idols, he was burned in the fire. These are two separate stories with a difference of 10 years, but both state that Haran died in a fire.
ii. Jubilees 12:9 places Abram’s marriage to Sarai in 1925, but it should be 1924.
iii. Jubilees 12:12 states that this event occurs in the 60th year of Abram. But, according to the events that occur in the next chapter, it seems more reasonable that this event occurred when Abram was 52.
(42-minute read)
Exposition
J: 41 | Y: 1980? | Nimrod continues to reign in Shinar
Jasher 11:1-8
Nimrod, the son of Cush, was still living in the land of Shinar, where he ruled and settled. He built cities in Shinar, and these are the names of the 4 cities he built, naming them based on the events that happened during the construction of the tower.
He named the 1st city Babel, saying, “Because the Lord there confused the language of the whole earth.” The 2nd he named Erech, because “from there God scattered them.” The 3rd he called Eched, saying, “There was a great battle at that place.” And the 4th he named Calnah, because “his princes and mighty men were destroyed there.” These people provoked the Lord—they rebelled and sinned against Him.
Once Nimrod had built these cities in the land of Shinar, he settled the rest of his people there, including his remaining princes and warriors. Nimrod lived in Babel and renewed his rule over the rest of his subjects. He ruled with confidence, and his subjects and princes gave him the name Amraphel, saying that at the tower his princes and men had fallen because of him. But despite all this, Nimrod did not turn back to the Lord. He kept on doing evil and teaching others to do evil. His son Mardon was even worse than he was and continued adding to the wickedness of his father. He led others into sin, and so it was said, “From the wicked goes forth wickedness.”
Y: 1996 | Chedorlaomer conquers 5 cities and enforces a yearly tax
Jasher 11:9-11
Around that time, war broke out between the families of the children of Ham, who were living in the cities they had built. Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, broke away from the families of Ham, fought against them, and defeated them. Then he went to the 5 cities of the plain, fought against them, and conquered them as well. They came under his control and served him for 12 years, paying him a yearly tax.
Y: 1997 | Peleg died
Genesis 11:19, Jasher 10:1
Peleg lived 209 years after he fathered Reu, and he had other sons and daughters. Peleg, the son of Eber, died in those days, during the 48th year of Abram son of Terah’s life. Peleg lived a total of 239 years.
Y: 1998 | Nahor died
Genesis 11:25, Jasher 11:12
Nahor lived 119 years after he fathered Terah, and he also had other sons and daughters. At that time, Nahor son of Serug died, during the 49th year of Abram son of Terah’s life.
Rising Action
Abram finishes beings instructed by Noah and Shem
Jasher 9:6a
Abram lived in Noah’s house for 39 years. He came to know the Lord when he was 3 years old, and he followed the ways of the Lord for the rest of his life, just as Noah and Shem had taught him.
Y: 1999 | Abram destroys his father’s idols
Jasher 11:13-61
In the 50th year of Abram son of Terah’s life, he left Noah’s house and returned to his father’s house. Abram knew the Lord and followed His ways and instructions, and the Lord his God was with him. At that time, Terah, his father, was still captain of King Nimrod’s army and continued to worship strange gods.
When Abram arrived at his father’s house, he saw 12 gods standing in their temples. He became furious when he saw these idols in his father’s home. Abram said, “As the Lord lives, these images will not remain in my father’s house; may the Lord who created me do so to me if I do not destroy them all within 3 days.”
He left them, burning with anger, and hurried from the chamber into the outer court of his father’s house. There he found his father sitting with his servants, and Abram sat down before him. He asked, “Father, tell me—where is the God who created heaven and earth, and all the people on earth, including you and me?”
Terah replied, “Look, those who created us are all here in the house.”
Abram said, “My lord, please show them to me.”
So Terah took Abram into the inner chamber, and Abram saw that the room was full of gods made of wood and stone—12 large statues and countless smaller ones. Terah said, “These are the ones who made everything you see on earth and who created me and you and all of mankind.”
Then Terah bowed to his gods and left, and Abram went with him. Afterward, Abram went to his mother and sat with her. He said, “Look, my father has shown me the gods who supposedly made heaven and earth and all people. So now, please go and bring a young goat from the flock and prepare some tasty food, and I’ll offer it to my father’s gods so they can eat. Maybe then I’ll be acceptable to them.”
His mother did as he asked. She brought a kid, prepared a delicious meal, and gave it to Abram. He took it and brought it before his father’s gods. He placed it before them so they could eat, but Terah didn’t know about it. Abram sat there that day and saw that the idols had no voice, couldn’t hear, didn’t move, and not one of them could stretch out a hand to eat. Abram mocked them and said, “I guess the food I made didn’t please them, or maybe it wasn’t enough, so they wouldn’t eat. Tomorrow I’ll make a better, bigger meal to see what happens.”
The next day, Abram asked his mother again for food, and she brought 3 fine young goats and prepared them into a delicious meal that Abram liked. She gave it to him, and again, Terah didn’t know. Abram brought the food to the idols, placed it in front of them, and sat there all day, hoping they might eat. But he saw they had no voice or hearing, and not one of them reached for the food.
That evening, the spirit of God came upon Abram, and he cried out, “Woe to my father and this wicked generation! Their hearts are filled with vanity, serving idols of wood and stone that can’t eat, smell, hear, or speak. They have mouths but can’t speak, eyes but can’t see, ears but can’t hear, hands without feeling, and legs that can’t move. Those who made them and trust in them are just like them!”
When Abram saw all this, he became enraged. He grabbed a hatchet, went into the idol chamber, and smashed all his father’s gods. After destroying them, he put the hatchet in the hand of the largest idol and left. Terah, hearing the sound of the hatchet from outside, came home to see what had happened. As he entered the idol chamber, he found all the idols broken and lying on the ground, with the hatchet in the hand of the largest one. The food Abram had prepared was still there.
Terah became furious, rushed out of the room, and found Abram sitting in the house. He asked, “What have you done to my gods?”
Abram replied, “No, my lord. I brought them food, and as I got close, they all stretched out their hands to eat before the big one had even moved. The large one became angry at what they did, grabbed the hatchet from the house, and smashed them all. Look, the hatchet is still in his hand, as you see.”
Terah’s anger flared against Abram. He said, “What is this nonsense? You’re lying! Do these gods have a spirit, soul, or strength to do what you said? Aren’t they just wood and stone? I made them myself! How can you lie and say the large one destroyed the others? You put the hatchet in his hand yourself and then blamed him!”
Abram answered, “Then how can you serve these idols that can’t do anything? Can they hear your prayers when you call to them? Can they save you from your enemies or fight for you? Why would you serve wood and stone that can’t speak or hear? This is not good for you or anyone connected to you. Are you so foolish or lacking understanding that you serve these things and forget the Lord God who made heaven and earth, who created you? You’re bringing evil on your soul by doing this. Didn’t our ancestors sin in this same way, and the Lord God of the universe brought the flood to destroy them and the entire earth? And now you continue doing the same thing—serving idols that can’t save or deliver—and you’re inviting God’s wrath again. Please, father, stop this and don’t bring harm to yourself or your household.”
Then Abram quickly took the hatchet from the hand of the large idol he had placed it in, and ran away. Terah, seeing what Abram had done, hurried from his house and went to the king. He stood before Nimrod and bowed. The king asked, “What do you want?”
Terah said, “Please, my lord, hear me. 50 years ago, a child was born to me. This is what he’s done to my gods and what he said. Now, my lord and king, send for him, so he can appear before you and be judged according to the law, so we may be free of his wrongdoing.”
So the king sent 3 of his servants, who went and brought Abram before the king. That day, Nimrod, all his princes, and his servants were sitting before him, and Terah was there too. The king said to Abram, “What have you done to your father and his gods?”
Abram answered just as he had spoken to his father. He said, “The large god in the house did what you’ve heard.”
The king asked, “Do they have the power to speak, eat, and do what you said?”
Abram answered, “If they have no power, then why do you serve them and lead others astray with this foolishness? Do you think they can save you or do anything at all? Why won’t you serve the God of the universe, who created you and has the power to give life and take it away? You foolish, simple, and ignorant king—woe to you forever. I thought you would teach your servants the right path, but instead you’ve filled the whole earth with sin, along with your people who follow you. Don’t you know, or haven’t you heard, that our ancestors sinned the same way long ago, and the eternal God brought a flood and wiped them out, along with the entire earth? And now you and your people want to do the same evil, to bring down the anger of the Lord God of the universe? If you don’t stop, you’ll bring disaster on yourselves and the whole earth. So turn from this evil and serve the God of the universe, because your life is in His hands. Then things will go well for you. But if your wicked heart refuses to listen and turn from your evil ways to serve the eternal God, then you will die in disgrace in the end—you, your people, and all who follow your words or walk in your ways.”
When Abram finished speaking before the king and his princes, he lifted his eyes to heaven and said, “The Lord sees all the wicked, and He will judge them.”
Climax
Abram thrown in prison and the fiery furnace
Jasher 12:1-43
When the king heard what Abram had said, he ordered him to be thrown into prison. Abram remained in prison for 10 days. At the end of that time, the king summoned all the other kings, princes, governors of the various provinces, and wise men to appear before him. They gathered together, and Abram was still being held in confinement.
The king addressed the assembled officials and wise men, saying, “Have you heard what Abram, the son of Terah, did to his father? This is how he treated him. I had him brought before me, and this is what he said. He didn’t hesitate or show fear in my presence, and now he’s locked up in prison. So tell me—what judgment does this man deserve for defying the king, for speaking and doing everything you’ve heard?”
They all answered the king, saying, “A man who insults the king should be hanged on a tree. But since he’s done everything he said, and because he’s disrespected our gods, he must be burned to death. That’s the law in this case. If it pleases the king, let him order his servants to keep a fire burning in the brick furnace both day and night, and then we’ll throw this man into it.”
The king agreed and commanded his servants to prepare a fire in the furnace at Casdim, to burn for 3 days and 3 nights. He also ordered them to take Abram from prison and bring him out to be burned. All of the king’s servants, along with the princes, lords, governors, judges, and the people of the land—about 900,000 men—gathered in front of the furnace to see what would happen to Abram. Women and children crowded onto rooftops and towers to watch as well. Everyone stood at a distance, and there wasn’t a single person who didn’t come to witness the event.
When Abram arrived, the king’s conjurors and sages saw him and cried out to the king, saying, “Our lord and king, this is the same man who, when he was born, caused that great star to swallow up 4 other stars—just like we told you 50 years ago. And now his father has broken your commands too, mocking you by bringing you another child, whom you ended up killing.”
When the king heard this, he became extremely angry and ordered Terah to be brought before him.
The king said to Terah, “Have you heard what the conjurors said? Now tell me the truth. If you speak honestly, you’ll be spared.”
Seeing how furious the king was, Terah said, “My lord and king, you’ve heard the truth. What the sages said is correct.”
The king replied, “How could you do this? You disobeyed my command and gave me a child that wasn’t your own. And you even accepted payment for him.”
Terah answered, “I was moved by love for my son at that time, so I took the son of my handmaid and brought him to you instead.”
The king asked, “Who advised you to do this? Tell me everything—don’t hide anything, and you won’t die.”
Terah was terrified in the king’s presence and said, “It was Haran, my eldest son, who advised me to do it. Haran was 32 years old at the time Abram was born.”
But Haran hadn’t advised his father at all. Terah only said this to try to save himself, because he was afraid. Then the king said, “Haran, your son, who supposedly advised you, will die in the fire along with Abram. He deserves death for going against my will in this matter.”
At that time, Haran was leaning toward following Abram’s ways, but he kept it to himself. Haran thought to himself, “Now the king has arrested Abram because of what he did. If Abram survives, I’ll follow him. But if the king wins, I’ll follow the king.”
After Terah said this about Haran, the king ordered Haran to be seized along with Abram. Both were brought to be thrown into the fire. Everyone in the land came to watch: the king’s servants, princes, women, and children all stood by to witness it.
The king’s servants took Abram and Haran, stripped them of everything except their undergarments, and tied their hands and feet with linen cords. Then they lifted them and threw them into the furnace. But the Lord loved Abram and had compassion for him. He came down and rescued Abram from the fire—Abram was not burned. Only the cords that bound him were burned, and Abram walked freely inside the flames.
But Haran died as soon as he was thrown into the fire. He was burned to ashes because his heart wasn’t fully devoted to the Lord. And as for the men who threw them into the fire, the flames spread out and burned them—12 of them died.
Abram walked in the fire for 3 days and 3 nights. The king’s servants saw him walking around in the flames and reported it to the king, saying, “We saw Abram walking in the fire, and even his undergarments aren’t burned. Only the cords that bound him are gone.”
When the king heard this, he was overwhelmed and didn’t believe them. So he sent other trusted princes to see for themselves. They went, saw Abram walking in the flames, and returned to tell the king. The king then got up to go see it himself. He saw Abram walking back and forth in the fire, and Haran’s body burned up. The king was amazed.
He ordered that Abram be taken out of the fire, but his servants couldn’t get close—the flames surrounded the furnace and reached up toward them. The servants fled from the fire, and the king scolded them: “Hurry and get Abram out of the fire, or you’ll die!”
The servants tried again, but the flames struck them and burned their faces. 8 of them died.
When the king saw that no one could approach the fire without being burned, he called out to Abram, “O servant of the God who is in heaven, come out of the fire and stand before me.” Abram obeyed the king’s voice, came out of the fire, and stood before him.
Everyone saw Abram approaching the king with his undergarments still intact—the fire had not touched them, only the cords had burned away. The king asked Abram, “How is it that you weren’t burned in the fire?”
Abram replied, “The God of heaven and earth, in whom I trust and who holds all power, is the one who delivered me from the fire you threw me into.”
Haran, Abram’s brother, was burned to ashes. They searched for his body but found only remains. Haran was 82 years old when he died in the fire of Casdim.
After seeing that Abram had been delivered from the fire, the king, princes, and all the people of the land came and bowed down to him. But Abram said, “Do not bow down to me. Bow to the God of the world who made you. Serve him and follow his ways. He is the one who saved me from this fire. He created the souls and spirits of all people, formed man in the womb, and brought him into the world. He will rescue all who trust in him from suffering.”
This miracle greatly amazed the king and the princes—that Abram was saved while Haran was burned. The king gave Abram many gifts, including 2 of his top servants from the palace. One was named Oni, and the other was Eliezer.
All the kings, princes, and servants gave Abram many gifts of silver, gold, and pearls. Then the king and his officials sent Abram away in peace. Abram left the king in peace, and many of the king’s servants followed him—about 300 men joined him.
That same day, Abram returned to his father’s house with the men who followed him. Abram served the Lord his God all his life. He walked in God’s ways and kept his laws. From that day on, Abram influenced many people to turn their hearts toward serving the Lord.
Falling Action
Abram marries Sarai and Nahor marries Milcah
Genesis 11:29-30, Jasher 12:44, Jubilees 12:9, 11
In the 40th jubilee, during the 2nd week and the 7th year, Abram and Nahor each took a wife. Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was the father of both Milcah and Iscah. But Sarai was barren—she had no children.
Y: 2001 | King Nimrod’s dream
Jasher 12:45-70
Two years after Abram had come out of the fire—when he was 52 years old—King Nimrod was sitting on his throne in Babel. While there, the king fell asleep and had a dream. In his dream, he stood with his troops in a valley near the king’s furnace. He looked up and saw a man who looked like Abram coming out of the furnace. The man approached the king with a drawn sword, then lunged at him. The king ran away in fear. As he fled, the man threw an egg at the king’s head, and the egg turned into a huge river. In the dream, all the king’s soldiers drowned in that river. The king managed to escape with 3 men who were with him. These 3 looked like royalty, dressed in princely robes and carrying the presence of kings.
As they kept running, the river turned back into an egg, and from that egg came a young bird. The bird flew up to the king and plucked out his eye.
The king was deeply disturbed by what he saw and woke up in fear, his spirit shaken and terrified. The next morning, the king rose from his bed in fear and summoned all his wise men and magicians. He told them the dream. Then a wise servant named Anuki answered the king and said, “This can only mean harm from Abram and his descendants, who will rise up against my lord and king in the future. A time will come when Abram, his family, and all his household will go to war against the king. They will defeat all your troops. The 3 men you saw escaping represent the only survivors—just you and 3 other kings from among all those who go to battle with you.
“And as for the river that became an egg again, and the bird that took your eye, this means Abram’s descendants will one day kill the king. That’s the meaning of the dream, and my interpretation is correct. The dream is true, and your servant has spoken the truth. So now, my king, you know that it has been 52 years since your sages predicted all this at Abram’s birth. If you allow Abram to live, it will bring harm to you, because as long as Abram lives, neither you nor your kingdom will be secure. This was known since his birth. Why not kill him now and prevent the harm he will bring in the future?”
Nimrod listened to Anuki’s words and secretly sent servants to seize Abram and bring him to the king to be put to death. At that time, Eliezer—Abram’s servant, whom the king had given him—was present and heard everything Anuki said and what the king had planned. Eliezer went straight to Abram and said, “Hurry! Get up and save your life so you won’t die by the king’s hand. He had a dream about you, and this is how Anuki interpreted it and advised the king.”
Abram listened to Eliezer and quickly ran for safety. He went to the house of Noah and his son Shem, where he hid and found refuge. Meanwhile, the king’s servants came to Abram’s house to look for him, but couldn’t find him. They searched the whole country, but he was nowhere to be found. They looked in every direction, but still didn’t find him. So they returned to the king.
Since they couldn’t find Abram, the king’s anger calmed, and he put the matter out of his mind.
Abram remained hidden in Noah’s house for 1 month, until the king had forgotten all about it. But Abram still feared the king. Then Terah came secretly to visit his son Abram at Noah’s house. Terah was still highly regarded by the king. Abram said to his father, “Don’t you realize that the king wants to kill me and erase my name from the earth because of what his wicked advisors told him? What do you really have here in this land? Come with me to the land of Canaan so we can escape from his hand. Otherwise, you might also be destroyed in the future.
“Don’t you see that Nimrod doesn’t honor you out of love? Everything he gives you is for his own benefit. Even if he gives you more than this, it’s all worthless. Wealth and riches can’t help you when judgment comes. So listen to me. Let’s go to the land of Canaan, where we’ll be safe from Nimrod’s harm. Serve the Lord who made you, and things will go well for you. Let go of all these empty things you’re chasing.”
When Abram finished speaking, Noah and Shem said to Terah, “Everything Abram told you is true.”
Terah listened to Abram and did everything his son said, because this was the Lord’s plan so that the king would not be able to kill Abram.
Resolution
Abram burns his father’s house of idols
Genesis 11:28, Jubilees 12:12-14
In the 60th year of Abram’s life, during the 4th week and the 4th year, Abram got up during the night and set fire to the house of idols. He burned everything inside, and no one knew who did it. During the night, people rushed to save their gods from the flames.
This chart shows who was alive in the years 1980-2001.