The Book of Enoch is a Jewish apocalyptic text attributed to Enoch as patriarch, in which angels battle each other while the seven heavens reveal Michael anointing him.
Its contents include prophecies and visions regarding the end of the world and final judgment, along with angelology and cosmology studies.
1. It is a book of prophecy
Enoch was the seventh patriarch of Genesis and great-grandfather of Noah who became a popular subject in Hellenistic Judaism’s apocryphal literature. Enoch was depicted as an intuitive visionary who received revelations from God. This view may have been influenced by Babylonian tradition where Enmenduranna, one of 7 antediluvian kings tied to Sun God Enmenduranna was seen receiving divine messages.
2 Enoch tells the tale of Enoch, an ancestor of Noah, ascending through ten heavens in his journey toward divinity and immortality. It serves as an early precursor of Hekhalot and Merkabah mysticism found within Judaism while providing both prophetic insights as well as historical accounts regarding Noah’s flood.
This book also contains prophecies similar to those found in Isaiah, as quoted by Jude in the New Testament. However, this does not imply that its entirety is true – rather it suggests that some passages could be valid.
2. It is a book of apocalypse
The Book of Enoch (also referred to as 2 Enoch or the Secrets of Enoch) is an ancient pseudepigraphic text with apocalyptic material, detailing Enoch, an ancestor of Noah, ascending through ten heavens of an earth-centered universe.
This book covers demons, giants, angels and their interactions as well as why the flood was necessary and explains how humanity might have reached eternal life by eating from a Tree of Life. However, most Christian denominations do not consider it Scripture.
Though some passages in the Book of Enoch match biblical scripture, others do not, which is why most Christians do not regard it as scripture. Jude quoted one passage from it but this doesn’t indicate its accuracy as an entire work.
3. It is a book of mysticism
The Book of Enoch is an ancient work that contains various mystical elements. Considered one of the cornerstones of mystical Judaism, Enoch deals with angels’ interactions with humans as well as reincarnation and other spiritual practices.
Widely believed to have been written before the bible, Jude quotes from Enoch’s Book of Enoch but this does not validate its contents; likely multiple people including Jude contributed. While Jude mentions a section from Enoch in his writings from Jesus’ life on Earth may have written parts of Enoch’s Book, that does not necessarily make its entire content accurate or true to life.
4. It is a book of history
The Book of Enoch provides an account of mankind’s early history. It depicts angels falling from heaven and mating with human daughters to create mysterious beings known as Nephilim; also it details God and Satan’s struggle over heaven.
The book was initially composed in Greek, though some early Christian texts suggest Hebrew and Aramaic were the original languages employed to compose this work. The Muratorian fragment as well as other early Christian writings indicate this possibility.
Noticing that Enoch is not scripture should not be seen as being inspired by God; Jude 1:14-15 does quote this pseudepigraphical work but this does not constitute justification to include Enoch into our canon of sacred text – rather, reading Enoch can be fascinating but should never be considered part of any canon.
5. It is a book of theology
Many scholars believe that the Book of Enoch was originally composed in Hebrew before being translated into Greek later on. This text contains several pseudodepigraphal texts attributing themselves to Enoch, who according to Genesis 6:1-4 was taken up into heaven before the flood took place.
It recounts angels that keep watch and discuss human sin, especially those committed against the Tree of Life in Eden’s Garden of Eden. Additionally, good angels such as Michael Gabriel and Uriel as well as fallen angels who sinned women were mentioned herein.
2 Enoch contains 73 chapters, and some scholars consider its longer recension to be older. Most modern editions include both versions.
6. It is a book of astrology
The Book of Enoch provides detailed accounts of solar, lunar, and planet movements as well as numerical interpretations of dreams. Additionally, The Astronomical Book contains chapters 71-82.
In the book, fallen angels had relationships with humans’ daughters, giving birth to giants and spreading much chaos across Earth. Therefore, four archangels–Michael Gabriel Uriel, and Raphael–were sent forth to bind these fallen angels until their redemption could occur.
The Book of Enoch used to be considered part of Christianity but later fell out of favor with most believers. Still read by some Christian sects today, however; one of five apocryphal books known as Lost Books considered inspired writings.
7. It is a book of astronomy
At age 365, Enoch was led on an exploration by Uriel of all that existed within the ten heavens and revealed everything within them. Uriel told him that all righteous individuals would be blessed by Him and that there are 364 days in a year on Earth.
1 Enoch’s astronomy content is commonly known as the “Astronomical Book.” This text includes an extended discussion of celestial bodies to correct calendrical errors and also contains a lunar calendar.
The Book of Enoch can be broken into longer and shorter recensions, the original of which has been considered by editors since 1921 to be longer in terms of duration and text preservation; both recensions seem to preserve similar underlying textual structures; the shorter version can be found in Muratorian Fragments, Synodicon, and Exarch’s Theology among other places.
8. It is a book of poetry
The Book of Enoch contains many poetic elements, likely due to being written in Aramaic, a language with an inherent poetic style. Furthermore, dialogues take place between God and angels as well as fallen angels who mated with humans’ daughters leading them down a path of immorality; good angels such as Michael and Gabriel watch over humanity from above.
The Book of Enoch became popular as an apocryphal literature text during Hellenistic Judaism, drawing upon ancient traditions about Enoch the Seventh Antediluvian Hero and adding new mystical dimensions. Furthermore, there are references to various Biblical passages; yet it must be remembered that Enoch itself should not be taken as Scripture: the Apostle Jude quoted from Enoch 14-15 but this does not imply that all its contents constitute inspired Scripture.
9. It is a book of theology
The Book of Enoch is not part of the Bible, yet it contains much wisdom about angels and demons. Popular among Jews during Jude’s lifetime in first-century Palestine, Enoch’s words remain popular even today; though never canonized officially it remains considered an apocryphal text.
It is one of many pseudepigraphical works which ascribe to an unknown author but have no solid proof. Early church fathers such as Origen and Tertullian mentioned and quoted from it in their writings; however, their endorsement did not substantiate its claim of canonicity.
The Catholic Bible contains books that were accepted into the Hebrew canon as well as some that are considered deuterocanonical; it does not include, however, Enoch’s influence has been notable within Christian theology; though its strange stories might prove difficult for those unfamiliar with its teachings to comprehend.
10. It is a book of theology
The Book of Enoch is an ancient Hebrew apocalyptic religious text from antiquity that dates back 4,000 years, believed to have been written by Enoch – Methuselah’s father and Noah’s great-grandfather – himself. Its content contains depictions of demons, giants, and angels; most Christian organizations do not consider this text canon.
This pseudepigraphical work consists of two parts, 1 Enoch and 2 Enoch. Section one details Enoch’s vision of heaven; section two contains both doctrinal and ethical instructions similar to what can be found in Testaments of Twelve Patriarchs.
Some scholars have theorized that Jude 14-15 contains quotes from Enoch’s first book; however, no proof exists to show that Jude viewed Enoch’s Book as Scripture as defined by canonical requirements for canonized texts deemed inspired by God.
