In this post, we will look of some fascinating facts about the book of enoch that you may not know. The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish text that dates back to between 300-100 BCE.
It describes the ascent of Enoch, the father of Methuselah and great-grandfather of Noah, into heaven and his divine visions. Despite not being included in the Bible, the Book of Enoch was widely read and influential in antiquity.
We won’t waste much of your time so let us dig in to the top 20 facts about the book of Enock.
Table of Contents
1. Enock was briefly mentioned in the Book of Genesis
Enoch, the man behind the book of Enock was mentioned in the Book of Genesis and was described as the man who “walked with God” according to Genesis 5:21-24. He was taken by God at the age 365, meaning Enock did not die.
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Genesis 5:21-24
The book of Enock was written to expand the story of this man who God loves so much.
2. An Apocalyptic Text With Visions and Prophecies
The Book of Enoch is an apocalyptic text that includes mystical visions, parables, and astronomy along with narrative. It is a special type of book that tells about the end of the world and other big events that will happen in the future. It includes stories about Enoch’s trips to heaven, where he learns secret things about the future.
3. It was Attributed to Enoch but Written Over Centuries
The book claims to be written by Enoch himself, but some experts think that’s sus. They believe different authors over several centuries actually penned it.
Parts seem to be copied from books written way after Enoch’s time, like Genesis in the 6th century BC and Daniel in the 2nd century BC. Enoch living to 365 is impressive, but not THAT impressive!
Below are some of the verse in the Book that scholars suppects it was written over centuries.
- Enoch 1:1-11: This section of the book describes the creation of the world in seven days. However, the language used in this section is very similar to the language used in the Book of Genesis, which was not written until around the 6th century BCE. This suggests that this section of the Book of Enoch may have been written at a later date.
- Enoch 12-16: This section of the book describes the fall of the angels. However, the language used in this section is very similar to the language used in the Book of Jubilees, which was not written until around the 2nd century BCE. This suggests that this section of the Book of Enoch may have been written at a later date.
- Enoch 85-90: This section of the book describes the apocalyptic visions of Enoch. However, the language used in this section is very similar to the language used in the Book of Daniel, which was not written until around the 2nd century BCE. This suggests that this section of the Book of Enoch may have been written at a later date.
4. The Book of Enoch is divided into five subsections
This text is divided into five sections: Watchers, Parables, Astronomy, Dream Visions, and Epistles from Enoch. That’s a whole lot of reading! No wonder people thought old Enoch didn’t write it alone. Dude must’ve been pounding coffee to churn all that out.
- The Book of the Watchers: This section narrates the story of the Watchers, a group of angels who descended to Earth and cohabited with human women, resulting in the birth of the Nephilim, giants who terrorized the world. This section also describes Enoch’s journey to heaven and his revelation of the Great Judgement, which will destroy the Nephilim and establish a new era of righteousness.
- The Book of Parables: This section contains a series of parables and prophecies attributed to Enoch. These writings address themes of judgment, salvation, and the messianic age.
- The Astronomical Book: This section provides a detailed description of the constellations, the movements of the heavenly bodies, and the solar calendar.
- The Book of Dream Visions: This section recounts Enoch’s visions of the past, present, and future. These visions provide insights into the history of the world, the nature of angels and demons, and the ultimate destiny of humanity.
- The Epistle of Enoch: This section is a letter from Enoch to his children, offering advice and instruction on how to live a righteous life in preparation for the final judgment.
5. It describes classes of Angels
The Book describes classes of angels. This reflects a growing Jewish interest in the nature of angels during the Second Temple period.
- Seraphim: The highest order of angels, closest to God, symbolizing divine love and justice.
- Cherubim: Majestic guardians of God’s throne, symbolizing wisdom, strength, and vigilance.
- Watchers: Initially righteous angels tasked with overseeing humanity, but fell from grace and were confined to Earth for their transgression.
6. The Nephilim: Offspring of Fallen Angels
The offspring of the Watchers and humans are the Nephilim, a race of violent giants who brought evil and corruption into the world, leading to the Great Flood. This expands on the mysterious Genesis 6:1-4 reference to Nephilim.
7. Astronomy and Calendar Lore
In The Astronomical Book, Enoch is given revelations concerning the movement of the heavenly bodies and the pattern of the calendar with its 364 days. It contains earliest known accounts of astronomy written from the ancient Near East.
8. Denounces Forbidden Knowledge
The Book of Enoch strongly criticizes the Watchers for teaching forbidden arts and sciences to mankind – sorcery, astrology, meteorology, weapon making, herbal medicine, and writing.
9. Epistle Warns of Coming Judgment
The Epistle of Enoch warns his sons to turn from sin and obey wisdom in order to escape coming judgment. It recounts the history of the world and prophesies the future.
10. Enoch Acts as Divine Scribe
Enoch acts as a scribe, writing down teachings and petitions on behalf of angels. He serves as a divine intermediary and made petitions before God on behalf of angels, highlighting his importance.
11. Names Angels Such as Raphael and Gabriel
The Book of Enoch gives names to previously unnamed angels like Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, Uriel, and others. It also names fallen angels like Azazel.
12. God Referred to as “Lord of Spirits”
In the Book, God is referred to as “Lord of Spirits” over 70 times. The Messiah is also mentioned, referring to him as the “Elect One” and “Son of Man,” a title Jesus would later adopt.
13. Concept of Eternal Punishment Introduced
The Book of Enoch introduces the concepts of eternal punishment for sinners. Before Enoch, Biblical texts do not mention a place of eternal punishment.
14. Quoted as Scripture by Early Christians
The Epistle of Barnabas quotes The Book of Enoch as scripture and early Christian fathers like Justin Martyr and Athenagoras regarded it highly. It fell out of favor later and was banned.
15. Excluded from Biblical Canon
Despite being quoted in the New Testament book of Jude, The Book of Enoch was excluded from canon when the Christian Biblical canon was being decided in the early centuries AD.
16. Known to Ancient Jewish Writers
As mentioned early about it being written by different authors for centuries, it is believed that The Book of Enoch was well-known by early Jewish writers, as seen from references by philosophers like Philo of Alexandria. Fragments of ten Enoch manuscripts were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
17. Reappeared in 1773
The Book was lost for centuries but reappeared in 1773 when Scottish explorer James Bruce heard about an Ethiopian manuscript. Sections of Greek manuscript were also discovered later among the Chester Beatty biblical papyri.
18. Inspired Occult Interest
Enoch’s unconventional descriptions of heaven and angels, as well as his cosmic visions, have inspired interest from occultists. Figures like Aleister Crowley and Anton LaVey have featured The Book of Enoch in their writings.
19. Influential But Controversial
Despite being controversial and sparking debate, The Book of Enoch is influential in understanding the development of Christian and Jewish mysticism, apocalyptic tradition, and demonology.
Last Words
The Book of Enoch’s controversial theories offer an alternate narrative of supernatural powers meddling in human affairs that challenged conventional Jewish and Christian doctrine.
But while banned for its radical ideas, the text still aids religious scholars in understanding the cultural milieu from which Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism arose.
And generations of occultists have been drawn to its forbidden knowledge, expanding Enoch’s influence beyond orthodox religion into mysticism. Love it or hate it, the Book of Enoch is one of history’s most fascinating contested religious writings.
