Extra-biblical Sources

I’m currently writing a series on the matriarchs: Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah (Rachel is in Leah’s book). And, as always with biblical characters, I’ve had to search for any and all existing information because the Bible tends to remain silent about the women.

I have, however, discovered two extra-biblical books that have been passed down through history: The Book of Jasher and the Book of Jubilees, and they contain lots of information about these women and their families. These books don’t claim to be inspired Scripture (and occasionally they do contradict Scripture in little things like dates), but they are certainly interesting . . . and sometimes they explain biblical things I’ve always wondered about.

I have to admit that I’m a wee bit concerned, though–some folks think that historical fiction set in biblical times is suspect in itself, and that the authors are trying to “add to Scripture.” Let me assure you, that’s not what we’re doing. We freely acknowledge that we are writing fiction that is intended to “flesh out” the spare portrait that Scripture gives us. We want our readers to be able to smell, taste, touch, and experience life as it was for our characters . . . and if the story isn’t 100 percent accurate at the end of the day, as long as it doesn’t contradict Scripture, I’m okay with it. After all, one day I’ll sit down with Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel, and I’m hoping they’ll set me straight about what I got right and what I got wrong.

For instance–after Rebekah helps Jacob claim the firstborn’s blessing, he goes to Haran, where he falls in love with Rachel and begins working for Laban, remember? Well, the Bible says nothing about what was going on with Isaac and Rebecca while Jacob was in Haran, and I needed them to be doing something while he was away–after all, they are the stars of this book! But my extra-biblical books say that one morning they woke up and realized that Esau had taken most of Isaac’s servants and all his flocks and possessions during the night, leaving them impoverished. Now that was a story conflict I could work with! Then, the same books also say that Jacob learned what had happened, and began to send gifts–clothing, livestock, wine and oil–to his parents, three times a year.

I started this life as a nonfiction writer, and I am always glad when I find another source that gives me an event I can use in my story–I’d rather do that than invent something out of thin air. And if it’s accurate, so much the better.

I will be sure to ask Rebekah about what happened. 🙂

Have a wonderful week!

Angie