The Book of the Wars of the Lord ( סֵפֶר מִלְחֲמֹת יהוה ) is one of several non-canonical books referenced in the Bible which have now been completely lost. 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, 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.
Famous quotes containing the words the lord, book of, book, wars and/or lord:
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
—Bible: Hebrew Exodus, 20:7.
The third commandment.
“With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”
—Book Of Common Prayer, The. Solemnization of Matrimony, “Wedding,” (1662)
“The passion to condense from book to book
Unbroken wisdom in a single look,
Though we know well that when this fix the head,
The mind’s immortal, but the man is dead.”
—Yvor Winters (1900–1968)
“We have to have wars now and then just to prove we’re top dog.”
—Reginald Berkeley (1890–1935)
“Be lord of a day, through wisdom and justice, and you can put up your history books.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)