1 Enoch ( Book )

The Book of 1 Enoch (also known as 1 Enoch, Ethiopian Enoch, or simply The Book of Enoch) is an ancient Jewish apocalyptic and mystical text that profoundly influenced early Christianity, mysticism, and later magical traditions—including Kabbalah, Gnosticism, and even Enochian Magic.

It is not part of the canonical Bible for most Jewish or Christian traditions, except for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, where it remains part of the official scripture.

 What is the Book of 1 Enoch?

1 Enoch is a collection of writings attributed to the biblical patriarch Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, who “walked with God” and was taken to Heaven without dying (Genesis 5:24). The book claims to reveal the heavenly secrets Enoch witnessed while among the angels.

The text is pseudepigraphal, meaning it is written in Enoch’s name but not by him personally. Most scholars date the earliest sections to around 300–100 BCE.

Structure of the Book of 1 Enoch

It is divided into five main parts (like a mini-Bible of its own):

1. The Book of the Watchers (Chapters 1–36)

• Describes the descent of 200 angels (Watchers) to Earth, where they take human wives and teach forbidden knowledge (magic, weaponry, astrology).
• Their offspring are the Nephilim, giant beings who wreak havoc.
• God punishes the Watchers by chaining them in the abyss until Judgment Day.
• Enoch is sent to deliver this judgment and begins to walk among the heavens.

This section heavily influenced demonology, angelology, and the idea of fallen angels.

2. The Book of Parables (or Similitudes) (Chapters 37–71)

• Contains three visionary parables about the future judgment.
• Introduces the figure of the “Son of Man”, a messianic savior and judge (later echoed in Christian texts).
• Describes heavenly thrones, divine judgment, and cosmic justice.

👁 This section is key to early Christian eschatology.

3. The Astronomical Book (or Book of the Heavenly Luminaries) (Chapters 72–82)

• Gives a detailed account of the cosmos, calendar, and sun/moon cycles.
• Claims to reveal the true calendar (364-day solar calendar vs. the Jewish lunar calendar).
• Enoch is taught this by Uriel, an archangel.

This section is often studied in mystical systems and astro-theology.

4. The Book of Dream Visions (or Animal Apocalypse) (Chapters 83–90)

• Enoch receives symbolic dreams that retell the history of the world using animals as characters.
  • Sheep = Israelites
  • Wolves = enemies
  • Bulls = patriarchs, etc.
• Foretells Noah’s Flood, the rise of kingdoms, and the coming of the Messiah.

A mystical allegory of world history.

5. The Epistle of Enoch (Chapters 91–108)

• Contains ethical teachings, blessings, and apocalyptic warnings.
• Introduces a prophecy of ten weeks of world history, ending in the final judgment.
• Condemns sinners and praises the righteous and elect.

Serves as Enoch’s farewell message to his family and to future generations.

 Key Themes of 1 Enoch

Influence of 1 Enoch

• Quoted in the New Testament (Jude 1:14–15 quotes 1 Enoch 1:9 directly).
• Influenced Christian ideas of Heaven, Hell, Resurrection, and the Apocalypse.
• A source for angel names (like Uriel, Raphael, Remiel, and Phanuel).
• Inspired magical systems such as Kabbalah, Enochian Magic, and Theosophy.
• Echoes can be found in Gnostic texts, the Book of Revelation, and Islamic angelology.

Availability

• Survives fully in Ge’ez (Classical Ethiopian).
• Fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (Qumran), validating its ancient origin.
• Most English versions are based on translations of the Ethiopian manuscripts.

Summary