About This Text
Composed: c.460 BCE – c.140 CE
The Book of Jubilees is an apocryphal retelling of events from the Books of Genesis and Exodus, presented as an angel’s revelation to Moses as Moses ascends Mount Sinai. Composed in the 2nd century BCE, it divides history into periods of 49 years (hence the title “Jubilees,” which in a biblical context refers to the end of a 49 year period) and provides dates for biblical events. While parts of the book are in line with biblical narrative, much of it contains additions, gaps, or alternative explanations to biblical stories and laws.