IS THE BOOK OF ENOCH SCRIPTURE?

The Book of Enoch has become quite the topic of discussion for many believers in these last days. Some find immense value in the book, and would even venture to call it scripture. However, many scholars reject Enoch, and subsequently pastors and ultimately most Christians do the same. Many call it a Jewish fable, a book of mysticism, or perhaps at best, a book with some historical value, but certainly not scripture. What is the truth? We believe 1st Enoch to be divinely inspired, and we hope you stick around to examine the evidence with us.

Study to show yourself approved unto Elohim, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
2 Timothy 2:15

THE NAMES

In this study, we will be using the Hebrew names and/or titles for our Heavenly Father and His Son. Please forgive us for any confusion, however, we have recognized that using the Hebrew names to the best of our understanding, to be an immense blessing in our walk. We also respect and understand that there are varying interpretations of the pronunciations, and pray our current understanding does not offend or take away from this study. If you believe we pronounce the name incorrectly, consider just praying for us.

Elohim = Hebrew word for God
YHWH = Name of out Heavenly Father (Pronounced Yahuah – other say Yahweh, Yehovah etc.)
Yahusha = Name of the Son of YHWH, our Savior, Messiah & King (also known as Yeshua)

In this study, we will explore various topics of discussion surrounding The Book of Enoch:

Isn’t YHWH powerful enough to keep his Word intact?
- Answering why Enoch isn’t in the canon (bible).
Did YHWH close the canon with the 39 books of the Old Testament?
- The 24 books of the Tanakh.
Jude quoted Enoch, does that carry any weight?
What does Enoch teach about Messiah (the Son of YHWH)?
Enoch 71:14 and “The Son of Man” discrepancy.
Does Messiah reference Enoch?
Peter taught from Enoch, is that significant?
Existing manuscript evidence & The Ethiopic Bible.
What did the early ‘church fathers’ (ancient scholars) say regarding Enoch?
Other information found within this text.

ISN’T YHWH POWERFUL ENOUGH TO KEEP HIS WORD INTACT?

Before we begin, we need to clarify that we are discussing 1st Enoch only. 2nd and 3rd Enoch exist, but we are not deliberating those. The primary objection to 1st Enoch is, why isn’t it in the bible? We know that nothing is too hard for our Heavenly Father, and nothing has slipped past him. We believe this book was concealed by YHWH, to serve his purpose.

It is the glory of YHWH to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter
Proverbs 25:2

We believe it was YHWH’s plan to conceal Enoch for the end-times generation, whom this book was written to, stated plainly in the first two verses.

We will back this claim momentarily.

The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked ⌈⌈and godless⌉⌉ are to be removed. And he took up his parable and said–Enoch a righteous man, whose eyes were opened by Elohim, saw the vision of the Holy One in the heavens, ⌈which⌉ the angels showed me, and from them I heard everything, and from them I understood as I saw, but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come
1 Enoch 1:1-2

How amazing! Here’s another indicator of who the book was written for.

Another book which Enoch wrote for his son Methuselah and for those who will come after him, and keep the law in the last days
1 Enoch 108:1

This book confirms the teachings of the Torah and prophets continuously throughout its pages. We’ve often heard the statement, “Enoch is dangerous”, or “Enoch leads you away from Christ”. These statements could not be further from the truth. As we will see shortly, 1st Enoch has some of the most vivid prophecies regarding Messiah. Also, this book continuously exhorts the reader to walk in righteousness according to the divine law, the Torah. For many of us, we already have an understanding that the law already existed before it was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.

And I will make your seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto your seed all these countries; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws
Genesis 26:5

To be quite candid, my wife and I (and many others) hold testimonies that bears witness to the truth of Enoch. This was the book that YHWH used to help wake us up to truly follow his ways according to how he commanded it (faith & obedience).

This book is a reward.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to YHWH must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him
Hebrews 11:6

Books like 1 Enoch, the Apocrypha and others are a gift from above, truly a reward for those that diligently seek this matter out. Speaking of the Apocrypha, we would be doing you a huge disservice if we didn’t share a few passages from the book of 2nd Esdras, also known as 4th Ezra (written by the same Ezra in the bible), which weighs in on the matter. However, before we do, we acknowledge that 2nd Esdras is also not in the 66-book canon, however, it was considered scripture for many centuries. It was included in the 1611 KJV Bible, the 1560 Geneva Bible, the Orthodox Slavonic Bible, The Ethiopian Orthodox Bible, Russian Synodal Bible, The Latin Vulgate and it was also widely cited by early Fathers of the Church. Here, in 2nd Esdras 14, Ezra is visited and is told this:

On the third day, while I was sitting under an oak, behold, a voice came out of a bush opposite me and said, “Ezra, Ezra.” And I said, “Here I am, Master,” and I rose to my feet. Then he said to me, “I revealed myself in a bush and spoke to Moses, when my people were in bondage in Egypt; and I sent him and led my people out of Egypt; and I led him up on Mount Sinai, where I kept him with me many days; and I told him many wondrous things, and showed him the secrets of the times and declared to him the end of the times. Then I commanded him, saying, ‘These words you shall publish openly, and these you shall keep secret’
2 Esdras 14:1-6

It is the glory of YHWH to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter

Next, Ezra makes a petition to YHWH to restore the scriptures, because they were destroyed during the invasion and deportation by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Army.

Then I answered and said, “Let me speak in your presence, Master.For behold, I will go, as you have commanded me, and I will reprove the people who are now living; but who will warn those who will be born hereafter? For the world lies in darkness, and its inhabitants are without light. For your law has been burned, and so no one knows the things which have been done or will be done by you. If then I have found favor before you, send the Holy Spirit into me, and I will write everything that has happened in the world from the beginning, the things which were written in your law, that men may be able to find the path, and that those who wish to live in the last days may live
2 Esdras 14:19-22

I think we all should be very thankful for Ezra’s petition! Now, for the last portion of 2 Esdras, we will see why this passage is vital to understanding and demystifying the concept of a ‘closed canon’ that excludes 1 Enoch.

And my mouth was opened, and was no longer closed. And the Most High gave understanding to the five men, and by turns they wrote what was dictated, in characters which they did not know. They sat forty days, and wrote during the daytime, and ate their bread at night. As for me, I spoke in the daytime and was not silent at night. So during the forty days ninety-four books were written. And when the forty days were ended, the Most High spoke to me, saying, “Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people. For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.” And I did so
2 Esdras 14:41-48

Truly, it is the glory (and right) of YHWH to conceal and reveal anything according to his will. This passage in 2 Esdras is the closest thing we have to scripture informing us about any official ‘canon’ by YHWH. It’s also interesting that the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) included 24 books. These 24 are the same as the 39 we have in our modern day bibles, just condensed. For example, we have 12 separate books for the 12 ‘minor prophets’, however, in the Tanakh, they are counted as one book. As we stated earlier, we believe this passage confirms that Enoch is a treasure and a reward for those who diligently seek it out. Unfortunately, most won’t even test it because of the fences and warnings placed around it by scholars, pastors and teachers.

“Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people”

JUDE QUOTES ENOCH: THE IMPLICATIONS

Jude, the brother of our Master Yahusha quoted directly from 1st Enoch chapter 1.

Jude is doing two things:

Proclaims Enoch to be a prophet by his own words.
Gives 1st Enoch credibility of being inspired by YHWH.

Some say Jude quoting Enoch is not an indication of its authenticity, nor proves it’s divinely inspired. However, in love, we disagree. Jude quoted a prophecy from Enoch verbatim, this is no light matter. Jude would have been very acquainted with Deuteronomy 13 and the fate of the false prophet (death by stoning).

Jude would have to be sure that the words preserved in the Book of Enoch were genuine, otherwise, he would be promoting a false prophet. Some have speculated that Jude was referencing an oral tradition, but we believe this to be a massive stretch. As we learned from the Book of Judges, it only took one generation to depart from the truth. A quote so precise as this would have had to be preserved in writing.

Yahusha didn’t seem to be too impressed with oral traditions anyways.

Lastly, some teachers recognize the value of Jude quoting 1st Enoch, but stop short of vindicating the work. They stand on vague speculations of scholars, who say the book was compiled by many authors over different time periods. Since there’s no evidence for these claims, but rest purely on opinions, this foundation is built on sand. Scholars have importance, and retain a vital function in the body. However, we believe many modern-day scholars rely too heavily on carrying on the traditions (and opinions) of those who served the same office before them.

Paul says this is the qualification for scripture:

And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yahusha. All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of Elohim may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:15-17

Upon a thorough investigation of this book, all the qualifiers are met. This book gives constant exhortation for the reader to return to the commandments of YHWH. To walk in righteousness according to the law of Elohim. It contains wisdom regarding the calendar, that is not found anywhere else. Lastly, and most notably, this book contains the clearest understanding of Messiah as the Son of YHWH, who was with him from the very beginning.

This should peak the interest of every follower of Messiah.

ENOCH SEES THE MESSIAH (THE SON OF YHWH)

And at that hour that Son of Man was named In the presence of YHWH of Spirits, And his name before the Head of Days. Yes, before the sun and the signs were created, before the stars of the heaven were made, His name was named before YHWH of Spirits. He shall be a staff to the righteous whereon to stay themselves and not fall, And he shall be the light of the Gentiles, And the hope of those who are troubled of heart. All who dwell on earth shall fall down and worship before him, And will praise and bless and celebrate with song YHWH of Spirits. And for this reason, has he been chosen and hidden before Him, Before the creation of the world and for evermore. And the wisdom of YHWH of Spirits has revealed him to the holy and righteous; For he has preserved the lot of the righteous, Because they have hated and despised this world of unrighteousness, And have hated all its works and ways in the name of YHWH of Spirits: For in his name they are saved, And according to his good pleasure hath it been in regard to their life
1 Enoch 48:5-7

Did anyone else see the gospel in Enoch 48?! HalleluYah! Let’s also check out chapter 46:

And there I saw One who had a head of days, And His head was white like wool, And with Him was another being whose countenance had the appearance of a man, And his face was full of graciousness, like one of the holy angels. And I asked the angel who went with me and showed me all the hidden things, concerning that Son of Man, who he was, and whence he was, (and) why he went with the Head of Days? And he answered and said unto me: This is the son of Man who has righteousness, With whom dwells righteousness, And who reveals all the treasures of that which is hidden, Because the YHWH of Spirits hath chosen him, And whose lot hath the preeminence before the YHWH of Spirits in uprightness for ever. And this Son of Man whom you have seen shall raise up the kings and the mighty from their seats, [And the strong from their thrones] And shall loosen the reins of the strong, And break the teeth of the sinners. [And he shall put down the kings from their thrones and kingdoms] Because they do not extol and praise Him, Nor humbly acknowledge whence the kingdom was bestowed upon them. And he shall put down the countenance of the strong, And shall fill them with shame. And darkness shall be their dwelling, And worms shall be their bed, And they shall have no hope of rising from their beds, Because they do not extol the name of YHWH of Spirits.
1 Enoch 46:1-6

Reading Enoch 46 and 48 gives us a clear picture. Enoch was taken into heaven in a vision and saw YHWH, and Yahusha standing at his side. This gives us a better understanding of what the apostle John recorded:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. The same was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made
John 1:1-3

In the beginning Elohim created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

And Elohim said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth
Genesis 1:26

Truly, Messiah Yahusha has been with the Father since the beginning, and Enoch solidifies this fact with a clear picture. Even so, an apparent issue arises in chapter 71.

THE SON OF MAN DISCREPANCY (71:14)

Even though chapter 46 and 48 are clear about Enoch seeing a vision of YHWH and his Son (who wasn’t Enoch himself), there arises a discrepancy in chapter 71.

And he came to me and greeted me with His voice, and said unto me: You are the Son of Man who is born unto righteousness; And righteousness abides over him, And the righteousness of the Head of Days forsakes him not.’ And he said unto me: ‘He proclaims unto thee peace in the name of the world to come; For from hence has proceeded peace since the creation of the world, And so shall it be unto thee for ever and for ever and ever.
Enoch 71:14-15

Now, on the surface, this appears problematic, as this translation is pointing at Enoch as Messiah. However, let’s consider a few things. Throughout the book, this ‘Son of Man’ is always portrayed as someone else other than Enoch himself, except in 71:14. In fact the previous chapter (70) presents the ‘Son of Man’ in third person, as in, not Enoch himself.

And it came to pass after this that his name during his lifetime was raised aloft to that Son of Man and to the YHWH of Spirits from amongst those who dwell on the earth. And he was raised aloft on the chariots of the spirit and his name vanished among them
Enoch 70:1-2

Is it possible there was a scribal error in 71:14? Perhaps at worst, tampering? It seems so, as the rest of the book (more than three witnesses) teach us that Enoch is not the Messiah. Should we throw out the book for an error like this? Consider what is written in Matthew; the story of Judas and the 30 pieces of silver for a moment:

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value
Matthew 27:5,9

This is an error and contradiction, as Zechariah was given this prophecy, not Jeremiah.

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And YHWH said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of YHWH
Zechariah 11:12-13

What do we do with this? Those who are rooted in faith are not shaken at all, realizing it was a simple scribal error, or at worst, an alteration.

Needless to say, we aren’t ready to throw the Book of Matthew out over this!

But you shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shall you have: that your days may be lengthened in the land which YHWH your Elohim gives you
Deuteronomy 25:15

While this scripture (and many others like it) relate to a physical scale, shouldn’t we be able to glean a spiritual meaning? To put it bluntly, if we give place for errors in the 66 book canon, we should have equal weights and measures of judgement when it comes to testing 1st Enoch. With this in mind, I don’t find it too hard to chalk Enoch 71:14 as an error, in the same way as what we saw in Matthew. Especially considering Messiah taught from Enoch, and even rebuked the Sadduccees for not knowing about the contents of it.

MESSIAH TEACHES FROM ENOCH?

In Matthew 22, the Sadducees attempted to get into a doctrinal dispute with Messiah regarding the resurrection.

Bad move.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both
Acts 23:8

As a matter of fact, the main reason the Sadducees didn’t believe in such, was due to the fact that they only believed the first five books (the Torah) were inspired. They boxed themselves in with their own theology, and wouldn’t allow true doctrine to be formed from the writings (Psalms, Proverbs etc.), prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel etc.) and of course the rest. I just wonder, if some today are inadvertently doing the very same thing.

Okay, so back to Matthew 22. In this interaction, the Sadducees came to Messiah and trying to test him, tell a story about a woman who married a man, who died and left no children. Per the Torah, if a woman is widowed and childless, the deceased husbands brother is to take her as a wife, and bring up children in his brothers stead. The story continues:

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise, the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her
Matthew 22:25-28

Now here is Messiah’s response, or rather, rebuke:

Yahusha answered and said unto them, you are in error, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of Elohim. For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of Elohim in heaven
Matthew 22:29-30

We cannot overlook the fact that Messiah rebuked the Sadducees for “not knowing the scriptures”. Wouldn’t you find it interesting, that nowhere in the ‘Old Testament’ (Genesis through Malachi) exist any teachings regarding angels not being created to marry, as in, none at all.

Remember, the New Testament (Matthew through Revelation) was not written yet.

I find it fascinating that only in The Book of Enoch do we find the answer to this mystery. In chapter 15, Enoch is given a vision that provides the basis for the rebuke Messiah gave. However, before we go there, we must back up just a moment. As we mentioned at the beginning of this study, 1st Enoch is filled with important truths.

Revealed in this book, is the fall of Satan and the angels, known as The Watchers. These angelic beings were supposed to look after, and even intercede for man. However, these angels conspired against YHWH, and rebelled against the natural order of things. They took human wives, mating with them and created giants, something we see briefly spoken about in Genesis 6:

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And YHWH said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of Elohim came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown
Genesis 6:1-4

These angels also taught men and women how to sin.

And Azâzêl taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all coloring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjâzâ taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, Armârôs the resolving of enchantments, Barâqîjâl, (taught) astrology, Kôkabêl the constellations, Ezêqêêl the knowledge of the clouds, Araqiêl the signs of the earth, Shamsiêl the signs of the sun, and Sariêl the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven
1 Enoch 8

Side note, if anyone wondered how NASA and the governments know about the eclipses and other astronomical events before they happen, this is the origin of that information. There’s so much more on this we would love to share, but let’s get back to the point. Enoch 15 and the basis of Messiah’s rebuke to the Sadducees:

And He answered and said to me, and I heard His voice: ‘Fear not, Enoch, you righteous man and scribe of righteousness: approach here and hear my voice. And go, say to the Watchers of heaven, who have sent you to intercede for them: “You should intercede” for men, and not men for you: Wherefore have ye left the high, holy, and eternal heaven, and lain with women, and defiled yourselves with the daughters of men and taken to yourselves wives, and done like the children of earth, and begotten giants (as your) sons? And though you were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those also do who die and perish. Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on earth. But you were formerly spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones of the heaven, in heaven is their dwelling.
1 Enoch 15:1-7

1st Enoch 15 states that in the heavenly realm, there is no marriage and angels were not ordained for such. Brothers and sisters, 1st Enoch 15 is the only known text in existence that Messiah could have been rebuking the Sadducees for not knowing (the scriptures) in relation to being like the angels in the resurrection, who were not ordained to marry. There’s just nothing else.

The point being made here by Messiah: angels were not made for marriage.

Yahusha answered and said unto them, you are in error, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of Elohim. For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of Elohim in heaven
Matthew 22:29-30

Yahusha has two parts to his rebuke, no marriage in heaven (which we just covered), then the resurrection itself, which is separate from the knowledge of angels not being authorized for procreation.

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken unto you by Elohim, saying, I am the Elohim of Abraham, and the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob? Elohim is not the Elohim of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Matthew 22:31-33

Had the Sadducees read and believed the words of 1st Enoch, they wouldn’t have been in error for not knowing the scriptures regarding marriage in heaven. Likewise, they wouldn’t have challenged Messiah dealing with the existence of a resurrection, found in Exodus:

Moreover he said, I am the Elohim of your father, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon Elohim
Exodus 3:6

If our great King teaches and rebukes from Enoch, then it certainly is worthy of at least testing brothers and sisters!

PETER TEACHES FROM ENOCH

Peter, the fisher of men taught from Enoch!

Through the book of 2nd Peter, we can validate 1st Enoch as authentic, and trustworthy.

For if Elohim spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment
2 Peter 2:4

Once again brothers and sisters, there is no other text that Peter could be getting his understanding about angels sinning and being cast down into hell (Sheol) other than 1st Enoch:

And again YHWH said to Raphael: ‘Bind Azâzêl hand and foot, and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening in the desert, which is in Dûdâêl, and cast him therein. And place upon him rough and jagged rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there for ever, and cover his face that he may not see light. And on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire. And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the Watchers have disclosed and have taught their sons. And YHWH said unto Michael: ‘Go, bind Semjâzâ and his associates who have united themselves with women so as to have defiled themselves with them in all their uncleanness. And when their sons have slain one another, and they have seen the destruction of their beloved ones, bind them fast for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their judgement and of their consummation, till the judgement that is for ever and ever is consummated. In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: and to the torment and the prison in which they shall be confined forever. And whosoever shall be condemned and destroyed will from thenceforth be bound together with them to the end of all generations
1 Enoch 10:4-7,11-14

As a side note, Jude also teaches the very same concept, derived from 1 Enoch alone:

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day
Jude 1:6

Can we reason with one another for a moment?

Please recognize that Peter spent a considerable amount of time with Messiah. Don’t you think, at some point Yahusha would have told Peter (and Jude) to stay away from 1st Enoch if it wasn’t inspired? Remember, Messiah knows the end from the beginning. He would have known Peter (and Jude) would eventually write about the information found in Enoch, and would have the foreknowledge to warn them or rebuke them, if it was in fact a false book. However, that’s not what happened, and the scriptures leave us a trail of evidence, leading to the wisdom found in The Book of Enoch.

Perhaps those who say Enoch contains truth, but is not a complete work, or shouldn’t be trusted, are the ones who question whether or not YHWH can keep his Word intact.

MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE & THE ETHIOPIC BIBLE

There is a considerable amount of manuscript evidence available to us. Let’s share the list, found here.

Ethiopic

The most extensive surviving early manuscripts of the Book of Enoch exist in the Ge’ez language. Robert Henry Charles‘s critical edition of 1906 subdivides the Ethiopic manuscripts into two families:

Family α: thought to be more ancient and more similar to the earlier Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek versions:

A – ms. orient. 485 of the British Museum, 16th century, with Jubilees

B – ms. orient. 491 of the British Museum, 18th century, with other biblical writings

C – ms. of Berlin orient. Petermann II Nachtrag 29, 16th century

D – ms. abbadiano 35, 17th century

E – ms. abbadiano 55, 16th century

F – ms. 9 of the Lago Lair, 15th century

Family β: more recent, apparently edited texts

G – ms. 23 of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 18th century

H – ms. orient. 531 of the Bodleian Library of Oxford, 18th century

I – ms. Brace 74 of the Bodleian Library of Oxford, 16th century

J – ms. orient. 8822 of the British Museum, 18th century

K – ms. property of E. Ullendorff of London, 18th century

L – ms. abbadiano 99, 19th century

M – ms. orient. 492 of the British Museum, 18th century

N – ms. Ethiopian 30 of Munich, 18th century

O – ms. orient. 484 of the British Museum, 18th century

P – ms. Ethiopian 71 of the Vatican, 18th century

Q – ms. orient. 486 of the British Museum, 18th century, lacking chapters 1–60

Additionally, there are the manuscripts^[which?] used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church for preparation of the deuterocanonicals from Ge’ez into the targumic Amharic in the bilingual Haile Selassie Amharic Bible (Mashaf qeddus bage’ezenna ba’amaregna yatasafe 4 vols. c. 1935^[when?]).^[40]

Aramaic

Eleven Aramaic-language fragments of the Book of Enoch were found in cave 4 of Qumran in 1948^[41] and are in the care of the Israel Antiquities Authority. They were translated for and discussed by Józef Milik and Matthew Black in The Books of Enoch.^[42] Another translation has been released by Vermes^[43]^{[full citation needed]} and Garcia-Martinez.^[44] Milik described the documents as being white or cream in color, blackened in areas, and made of leather that was smooth, thick and stiff. It was also partly damaged, with the ink blurred and faint.

4Q201 = 4QEnoch ^a ar, Enoch 2:1–5:6; 6:4–8:1; 8:3–9:3,6–8

4Q202 = 4QEnoch ^b ar, Enoch 5:9–6:4, 6:7–8:1, 8:2–9:4, 10:8–12, 14:4–6

4Q204 = 4QEnoch ^c ar, Enoch 1:9–5:1, 6:7, 10:13–19, 12:3, 13:6–14:16, 30:1–32:1, 35, 36:1–4, 106:13–107:2

4Q205 = 4QEnoch ^d ar; Enoch 89:29–31, 89:43–44

4Q206 = 4QEnoch ^e ar; Enoch 22:3–7, 28:3–29:2, 31:2–32:3, 88:3, 89:1–6, 89:26–30, 89:31–37

4Q207 = 4QEnoch ^f ar

4Q208 = 4QEnastr ^a ar

4Q209 = 4QEnastr ^b ar; Enoch 79:3–5, 78:17, 79:2 and large fragments that do not correspond to any part of the Ethiopian text

4Q210 = 4QEnastr ^c ar; Enoch 76:3–10, 76:13–77:4, 78:6–8

4Q211 = 4QEnastr ^d ar; large fragments that do not correspond to any part of the Ethiopian text

4Q212 = 4QEn ^g ar; Enoch 91:10, 91:18–19, 92:1–2, 93:2–4, 93:9–10, 91:11–17, 93:11–93:1

Greek

The 8th-century work Chronographia Universalis by the Byzantine historian George Syncellus preserved some passages of the Book of Enoch in Greek (6:1–9:4, 15:8–16:1). Other Greek fragments known are:

Codex Panopolitanus (Cairo Papyrus 10759), named also Codex Gizeh or Akhmim fragments, consists of fragments of two 6th-century papyri containing portions of chapters 1–32 recovered by a French archeological team at Akhmim in Egypt and published five years later, in 1892.

According to Elena Dugan, this Codex was written by two separate scribes and was previously misunderstood as containing errors. She suggests that the first scribe actually preserves a valuable text that is not erroneous. In fact the text preserves “a thoughtful composition, corresponding to the progression of Enoch’s life and culminating in an ascent to heaven”. The first scribe may have been working earlier, and was possibly unconnected to the second.^[45]

Vatican Fragments, f. 216v (11th century): including 89:42–49

Chester Beatty Papyri XII : including 97:6–107:3 (less chapter 105)

Oxyrhynchus Papyri 2069: including only a few letters, which made the identification uncertain, from 77:7–78:1, 78:1–3, 78:8, 85:10–86:2, 87:1–3

It has been claimed that several small additional fragments in Greek have been found at Qumran (7QEnoch: 7Q4, 7Q8, 7Q10-13), dating about 100 BCE, ranging from 98:11? to 103:15^[46] and written on papyrus with grid lines, but this identification is highly contested.

Coptic

A sixth- or seventh-century fragmentary manuscript contains a Coptic version of the Apocalypse of Weeks. How extensive the Coptic text originally was cannot be known. It agrees with the Aramaic text against the Ethiopic, but was probably derived from Greek.^[48]

Latin

Of the Latin translation, only 1:9 and 106:1–18 are known. The first passage occurs in the Pseudo-CyprianicAd Novatianum and the Pseudo-VigilianContra Varimadum;^[49] the second was discovered in 1893 by M. R. James in an 8th-century manuscript in the British Museum and published in the same year.^[50]

Syriac

The only surviving example of 1 Enoch in Syriac is found in the 12th century Chronicle of Michael the Great. It is a passage from Book VI and is also known from Syncellus and papyrus. Michael’s source appears to have been a Syriac translation of (part of) the chronicle of Annianos.^[51]

Ethiopic Bible

1st Enoch is part of the biblical canon used by the Ethiopian Jewish community Beta Israel, as well as the Christian Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ ኦርቶዶክስ ተዋሕዶ ቤተ ክርስቲያን,^[1]Yäityop’ya ortodoks täwahedo bétäkrestyan) is the largest of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. One of the few Christian churches in sub-Saharan Africa originating before European colonization of the continent,^[5] the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church dates back to the acceptance of Christianity by the Kingdom of Aksum in 330,^[6] and has between 36 million and 51 million adherents in Ethiopia.^[2][3][4] It is a founding member of the World Council of Churches.^[7] The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox churches (the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Syriac Orthodox Church)

EARLY ‘CHURCH FATHERS’ & ENOCH

Let’s quickly take a look at the opinions of Enoch through the early church historians/scholars. Please take note, I do not hold this information nearly as important as everything else we’ve covered thus far. Nevertheless, it is evidence to add to the discussion.

Tertullian

An early church father and founder of Latin Christianity, wrote a few positive things concerning the Book of Enoch. Tertullian writes as follows in his 2nd century work, On the Apparel of Women I 3:1-3.

I am aware that the Scripture of Enoch, which has assigned this order (of action) to angels, is not received by some, because it is not admitted into the Jewish canon either. I suppose they did not think that, having been published before the deluge, it could have safely survived that world-wide calamity, the abolisher of all things. If that is the reason (for rejecting it), let them recall to their memory that Noah, the survivor of the deluge, was the great-grandson of Enoch himself; and he, of course, had heard and remembered, from domestic renown and hereditary tradition, concerning his own great-grandfather’s grace in the sight of God, and concerning all his preachings; since Enoch had given no other charge to Methuselah than that he should hand on the knowledge of them to his posterity. Noah therefore, no doubt, might have succeeded in the trusteeship of (his) preaching; or, had the case been otherwise, he would not have been silent alike concerning the disposition (of things) made by God, his Preserver, and concerning the particular glory of his own house.

If (Noah) had not had this (conservative power) by so short a route, there would (still) be this (consideration) to warrant our assertion of (the genuineness of) this Scripture: he could equally have renewed it, under the Spirit’s inspiration, after it had been destroyed by the violence of the deluge, as, after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian storming of it, every document of the Jewish literature is generally agreed to have been restored through Ezra.

But since Enoch in the same Scripture has preached likewise concerning the Lord, nothing at all must be rejected by us which pertains to us; and we read that every Scripture suitable for edification is divinely inspired. By the Jews it may now seem to have been rejected for that (very) reason, just like all the other (portions) nearly which tell of Christ. Nor, of course, is this fact wonderful, that they did not receive some Scriptures which spoke of Him whom even in person, speaking in their presence, they were not to receive. To these considerations is added the fact that Enoch possesses a testimony in the Apostle Jude.
Tertullian On the Apparel of Women I 3:1-3 (2nd Century)

Irenaeus

And for a very long while wickedness extended and spread, and reached and laid hold upon the whole race of mankind, until a very small seed of righteousness remained among them: and illicit unions took place upon the earth, since angels were united with the daughters of the race of mankind; and they bore to them sons who for their exceeding greatness were called giants. And the angels brought as presents to their wives teachings of wickedness, in that they brought them the virtues of roots and herbs, dyeing in colours and cosmetics, the discovery of rare substances, love-potions, aversions, amours, concupiscence, constraints of love, spells of bewitchment, and all sorcery and idolatry hateful to God; by the entry of which things into the world evil extended and spread, while righteousness was diminished and enfeebled
Irenaus: The Proof of the Apostolic Preaching 18 (2nd century)

Barnabas

“Again, it was made manifest that the city and the temple and the people of Israel were to be delivered up. For the Scripture says, ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Lord shall deliver the sheep of His pasture, and the sheep-fold, and their tower to destruction.’ (Condensed from Enoch 89:54-56) And it took place according to what the Lord said. But let us inquire if a temple of God exists. Yes, it exists, where He Himself said that He makes and perfects it. For it is written, ‘And it shall come to pass when the week is ended that a temple of God shall be built gloriously in the name of the Lord.’ ” (Similar to Enoch 93:6-7)
Epistle of Barnabas 16:5-6 (1st century)

OTHER INFORMATION IN 1ST ENOCH

A quick bullet-point list of what The Book of Enoch also reveals:

Messiah is an eternal being who’s been with the Father since the beginning.
Angels rebelled and sinned, mating with women and created giants.
These fallen angels became as gods to the people, teaching them ‘technology’ and sin.
The origin of demons and evil spirits.
Descriptions of Heaven, Hell (Sheol) and Earth.
The heavenly luminaries; the movements and patterns of the sun, moon and stars.
Challenges modern day science regarding the true cosmology.
YHWH’s heavenly calendar (sun, moon and stars).
A call to righteousness by keeping the commandments of YHWH.
Salvation in the name of the Son of Man.
Identity of the Archangels.
And much more.

There’s so much more to say on this book, but we hope this is enough evidence for you to read it yourself and test it. We do believe it will bless you abundantly. We pray this study was of value to you.

YHWH bless you and keep you,
YHWH make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
YHWH lift up his countenance upon you and give you shalom (peace).

Featured Videos

Important Video Teachings.