Is the book of Enoch sacred writing?

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Is the book of Enoch sacred writing?

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The book of Enoch isn't sacred. That is to say, it isn't a part of inspired Scripture. Rather, it is part of a group of books known as "pseudepigrapha," which means "false writings."

According to Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the Pseudepigrapha are "a collection of Jewish books containing various forms of literature, using names of famous people in Israel's history for the titles of the books. The real authors are unknown. Such names as Ezra, Baruch, Enoch, Solomon, Moses, and Adam are used to add authority to the writing" (1986, article "Pseudepigrapha"). In addition to using a pseudonym, the first chapter of the book of Enoch also makes use of a famous statement made by the real Enoch who lived millennia before the oldest known copies of the book of Enoch came into existence.

A similar (albeit not exact) quotation of Enoch exists in the New Testament book of Jude in verses 14-15. We have no doubt that the real Enoch of Genesis 5 spoke these words and that they had been passed on by tradition from his time. However, the commonality of Jude 14-15 with 1 Enoch 1:9 does not make the rest of the pseudepigraphical book of Enoch "God-inspired" any more than Paul's brief quotations of Aratus (Acts 17:28) and Epimenides (Titus 1:12) would sanctify the entirety of those authors' words.

When holding the book of Enoch up to the "Scripture cannot be broken" test (John 10:35b), we find that a major theme in 1 Enoch of sinful angels taking human wives (e.g., 1 Enoch 6:2, 7:1, 12:4, 106:14, etc.) is in direct contradiction to the words of the Word, Jesus Christ, who created "all things…visible and invisible" and knows how they function (Colossians 1:16; compare Hebrews 4:13). In Matthew 22:29-30, Jesus said, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God…they neither marry nor are given in marriage…like the angels…" (see also Mark 12:24-25, Luke 20:34-36). This rebuttal of a major theme of 1 Enoch by the Creator Himself indicates that the Word that was and is God clearly did not consider those stories in the book of Enoch to be truthful, God-inspired "Scriptures." It also moves those Enochic stories into the realm of "…empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8, NRSV). The unhealthy fascination with and exaltation of angels throughout the book also stands in contrast to the message of Colossians 2:18-19, Revelation 19:10, etc. The stories of Enoch's ascent into heaven (1 Enoch 71:1,5) contradicts Jesus Christ's words in John 3:13, and the tales of an actively conscious afterlife of Enoch and others prior to the resurrection (e.g., 1 Enoch 70:3-4; 65:2-5; 22:7-13, etc.) are in conflict with Ecclesiastes 9:5,10, Job 14:14, Hebrews 11:13,39-40, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, etc.

A simple example of an Enochic fallacy that very few would sincerely assert as an indisputable, God-inspired fact is the descriptions of Noah as a newborn baby in which "his form and appearance are not like the form of human beings…and his eyes are like the rays of the sun…[which] made the whole house bright. And he stood up from the hands of the midwife and he opened his mouth and praised the Lord of eternity" (1 Enoch 106:10-11,18;107:3).

 In summary, when it comes to falsely-attributed writings like the pseudepigraphic book of Enoch, do not "be easily shaken…by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us" (2 Thessalonians 2:2, NET; compare Galatians 1:8). Also, "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them" (Hebrews 13:9).

For more information, please read our booklet Is the Bible True?

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Comments

  • sbaucom

    The book of Enoch has been in Ethiopian bible 800 years before the King James was even a cannon. It contains the same scriptures quoted in the King James. Jesus quote was straight out of Enoch, no where in scripture can you find that the Angels can’t be given in marriage, only in the book of Enoch is that quote. The book Enoch says it and Jesus quoted it. The quote is in heaven they cannot marriage, when on Earth they can and did. 2 Peter 2:4 the Angels that sinned are cast into hell, where is that from? Revaluations was written until 30 years after this quote. Jude 6:8, job 4:17-18, 1 Corinthians 11:10, Hebrews 11:5,Jude 1:14 is another direct quote out the book of Enoch. The sons of God in job meet with Satan and God in heaven, so how could the sons of Seth be I. Heaven at that meeting? The Hebrew word says the sons of heaven. To be afraid of a book that was quoted in you bible is just silly. Who were the watchers described in the book of Daniel? Enoch tells you. Stop following doctrine and start following Gods word.

  • Skip Miller

    Hello Shannon, You will notice that quite a bit has been written in the past about this subject. I would like to scripturally disagree with your last sentence which said, " Stop following doctrine and ...." Let's look at 1 Timothy for a minute : 1 Tim 6: 20 "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge...." Wow! That IS God's Word! Enoch was real but what we can read that is purported to be Enoch, that is Very, Very suspect!

  • BJPLUMM

    It's possible that John 3:13 should read: "And no one has ascended into heaven [and returned], but that one who descended from heaven, that one who WAS in heaven" (P'shitta). The sign of the direct object (or final part of a statement) is used. ITH often has no meaning but often can carry the meaning of "is," make a noun indefinate, etc. Since it can carry the meaning of "is," the Aramaic word WA "was" often follows ITH to clarify that the past tense meaning is meant. However, sometimes the word "was" is just left out & context let's us know if it should be inserted in a translation. I think this would be a context where "was" is implied & should be inserted in our English translation. However, if someone has a Trinity bias & ignores all the other verses which teach that Yeshua isn't God (Jn. 20:17); that person may assert that the word "is" is the correct word which should be inserted in the translation. It's sometimes just about interpretation. Previously, Yeshua talked to Nikodemos about being "born again." Nikodemos asked if it was possible for a man to enter again into the womb of his mother a second time once he grew old and died (Jn. 3:3-4). Yeshua dispelled that notion.

  • tyler

    If you are trying to convince Christians that Jesus is not God you have come to the wrong place. It is the teaching of all of the Church of God that Jesus is the Son of God. There is a huge body of literature on this site discussing the divinity of Christ you could read if you are interested.

  • Flakes96

    And clearly the bible has been tampered with.
    And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
    Joshua 10:13 KJV
    Why isnt jasher in the bible.

    (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
    2 Samuel 1:18 KJV

  • Lena VanAusdle

    Jasher isn't in the Bible because God (through His people, particularly the Jewish people) inspired the text and determined what would be included and what would not be included. Some translations of the Bible are more accurate than others in their translation (the KJV and the NKJV are both word-for-word and considered to be the most reliable of the translations). You either believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, or you do not.

  • Flakes96

    But instead seems like church's today are more
    Concerned about the church building  made of blocks and how nice it looks, and that offering money, and always concerned about pointing the finger at others who make mistakes, they stumble there because that pointing the finger is a trap set by the serpent. Going around saying you need to be a Christian or your gonna go to hell. Or your gay your going to hell. Or you listen to that darn rock an roll music that's the devil, REPENT NOW! But that's funny that they say this and that is always the devil when they have no clue what is the devil because he's standing right in front of them and they're even working for the devil doin his bidding by going around pushing ppl away from God with the judgement.  We are in the last days, judement day soon await's, Satan has flipped everything in this world backwards and inside out. Hope what you think you understand about scripture and what your pastor thinks he knows about scripture  is truly accurate, there is a vail put over the scripture, you either ask god to give you understanding or stumble at the vail of scripture.

  • Lena VanAusdle

    Hi Brandon,
    it's true that some churches seem more concerned about external things than the pure religion (James 1:27). You are also correct in stating that we are in the last days, and that Satan has done an excellent job at deceiving the nations (Revelation 12:9; 20:8). All of that being said, Jesus tells us that we must repent (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; etc.), and be baptized. It is our duty, as Christians to warn the world and call on them to repent; some people will use Matthew 7:1 to say that we aren't supposed to judge, but if you continue reading until verse 5 you find that we're not supposed to judge in a hypocritical manner, not that we're not supposed to judge at all, but it is not our job to CONDEMN others, that is clearly only the job of God the Father and Jesus Christ. It is good that we explain what sin is, and what the consequences for sin is (death), it is not our job to determine what punishment should occur or when.

  • Flakes96

    Well the fact that Enochs story about preflood giants does not in any way contradict the bible. It's exactly what the bible says in genesis 6. If you want to believe it or not. That's what the bible says. And that's what ancient history all over the world says is that there were giants on the earth. Might sound crazy but thats what scripture says plain as day. Maby people and some church's deny that fact in fear of facing ridicule by society of modern day, which is completely brainwashed and falling to deception. Some believe they've secured their place in heaven by attending church on Sunday and giving offering unaware they're most likely in the church of the beast playing right into the antichrist palm. And completely missing the point jesus tried teaching through the gospel.  And they stumble at the word while saying they have the right understanding of the word. And they know not.  What Jesus taught was so clear as day simple. He gave us 2 commandments. Love god, and other  equally  as important  LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOUR SELF, Wich honestly is common since to treat eachother nice. Jesus taught us that then sacrificed himself on the cross and saved all us.

  • Lena VanAusdle

    The fact that there were giants are not the topic in question from the book of Enoch, the fact that angels procreated with humans beings is in direct contradiction with the Bible (Matthew 22:19).

  • Skip Miller

    Hello Alex,
    I don't think the author missed the point.
    He quoted Jesus who said, as a proof of something else,
    ...are like angels who neither marry or are given in marriage.
    Angels don't procreate.

    "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and they took them wives of all that they chose."
    If we believe what the Bible says then we have to explain this difficulty in a way that does not contradict God's Word.
    Adam & Eve (Eve especially) may have seen the birth of Cain as a prophesied solution to the mistake that she & Adam had made (Gen 3: 15). She may have seen him as much more than just a son. After all, he was the very first human born (and human birth is rather Amazing!)
    But after some time & many more births, perhaps the novelty wore off.
    Abel was gone but Cain was still around. Cain might have enjoyed his short lived fame and after a few hundred years, got used to doing what he wanted.

    HE and his progeny took wives of all that they wanted (and God did not kill them right then!) But He would later, in the flood, because we always reap what we sow.
    The sons of God were Cain's descendants who continued to take what they saw.
    Skip Miller

  • SeekerofTruth

    Genesis 6King James Version (KJV)

    6 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

    2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

    I guess the author missed this part in the bible when he states in his articles that angles did not or can not take wives. This is pulled from genesis. I do not read the book of Enoch because I am afraid of disobeying God by reading a false doctrine if it is in fact not of God. Again this is direct from what has been defined here as the direct word of God.

  • CCB
    I am a Christian. I have recently over the past month shown interest in the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis. Reading this blog has cemented what I suspected about the "Book of Enoch". I started researching and dabbling with the idea that maybe the Book of Enoch had some validity. Pondering and engrossed with the idea of fallen angels , giants & unnatural beings that did detestable things on the earth,I felt a distant relationship with God and my family. Also I was having trouble sleeping, waking up confused & disoriented. I am not here to say that those things did not happen on earth prior to the flood but the doctrine (Book of Enoch) sounds like a book of the supernatural conjured with false teachings. Even with some truths does not make it beneficial for mankind. I believe there is a lure in this book to take our eyes off of our Savior! Stay away from it! This is why it was not canonized. God is clearly in control of what we need! Note: Remember, God works through men to achieve his purpose. Man himself has no influence on what is & is not canonized.
  • saved03

    I had to create an account just to reply to this. I am also a Christian. I started reading on the book of Enoch yesterday and since I started believing that it might be valid I felt such a distant connection to God, I started questioning if Jesus is really real. It was raining and I was feeling a nostalgia from a distant world I know nothing of, I had to pray that God help me not lose my faith.

  • Malachi 3_16-18
    Hi Budstyrs1, I've read the book of Enoch, and found many of its verses to be in conflict with what the Bible says - which is strong evidence that we simply cannot place it on a par with Scripture. If it were the inspired Word of God, I am convinced that this book would have been included in the Holy Bible. I am reminded of the Scripture that says we must not add to or take away from the words God has inspired (Rev 22:18-19). All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness… (2 Tim 3:16).
  • Budstyrs1
    Yes agree i like very much the Book of Enoch it inspired me how great and holy our God of all ages. If reading the Bible the you will agree but deep understanding so you will honor God the most high. Ensaple Amos 9:6 ; 5:8 John14:1-4 ;Nahum1:3. Great is our God the most high blessed is his name forever and ever. You will find also in Book of Revelation.
  • Budstyrs1
    Some people if they read the Book of Enoch- is automatic they will say is not inspired by God and they'll judge right away that against to God's word. As I understand them, well in my view the Book of Enoch is Sacred it 100 times that evident that can we hold the Bible is true and it strengthen our faith to God through Messiah Jesus Christ. Some of the event are already mention above. For me also I can share in Matthew 16:3 Jesus tell the Pharisees and Sadducees are can tell the weather in the sky but they don't know the signs of the times. Prophet Daniel says Dan.12:12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Base on History 587 Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia captures Jerusalem then after Nebuchadnezzar the Empire who rule over the world is Mede and Persian the time of King Darius. Daniel had this vision about 660-665 BC if you calculate prophetic number 1=100years so it exactly 1,335 =1335 years is also in the time of Jesus minister. And many more prophets can prove it like John Revelator, Isaiah, Jeremiah. I made this example message because it has a calendar and we cannot found calendar in the Bible but Book of Enoch has, well you only can find counting days in the Bible in Genesis chap.1-2 the creation. Now in book of enoch is this Correspondence of weekly day in the Qumran year[81] Months 1,4,7,10 Months 2,5,8,11 Months 3,6,9,12 Wed 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 Thurs 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 Fri 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 Sat 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 Sun 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 Mon 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 Tues 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 3 10 1724 31 And now we using calendar exactly perfect from the past evedent in enoch right.
  • Malachi 3_16-18
    Hi tcogifaith, We speak of man creating things, but his creative capacity really comes from God, who made Him. So this is no contradiction. Concerning Elijah’s ascent, there is no contradiction. Yes, there are three heavens the Bible speaks of. We need to understand which is which, to make sense of where Elijah went when he was “taken up.” We must also look at the context of any confusing passages to help get their meaning, besides looking up other related verses. The first heaven is earth’s atmosphere, where the birds fly (Gen. 7:11-12; Job 35:11). What we might call the second heaven is outer space, which contains the moon, planets, sun, stars, etc. – commonly referred to as the “heavenly bodies”. David described this type of heaven in Psalms 8:3. Other references include Gen 26:4 & Isaiah 13:10. And what Paul referred to as the “third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2) is God’s dwelling place (Heb 8:1; Deut 26:15). So which heaven did Elijah ascend to? Jesus indeed said that no man had ascended to heaven (John 3:13). Peter confirmed this (Acts 2:34). So what happened to Elijah? He was simply taken up in a “whirlwind” (we might call it a tornado today) into earth’s atmosphere, and removed to another location on the earth. How do we know this? First, the sons of the prophets didn’t think he had gone to God’s dwelling place; they fully expected to find him dropped down on a mountain or valley nearby (2 Kings 2:16). Second, some years after he was removed in the whirlwind, Elijah wrote a letter to King Jehoram of Judah (2 Chron 21:12-15). This letter incident proves that Elijah was still alive and on earth some years after he was whisked away by the whirlwind and replaced by Elisha. Did Paul go to heaven? Very likely he was speaking of his own experience in 2 Corinthians 12:2. The context shows it was a “vision” and/or “revelation” of God (verse 1). I believe the vision was Paul's own because in subsequent verses he wrote of having a "thorn in the flesh" so that he did not get proud "through the abundance of the revelations" (verse 7). For more detailed information, I recommend “Heaven & Hell: What Does the Bible Really Teach?” which you can obtain free from this website or by mail.
  • tcogifaith
    Yes I agree in the beginning Jesus Christ,created "all things…visible and invisible" (Colossians 1:16 but what about afterwards don't people breed and create people or dogs creating dogs next contradicts to the bible are all over the bible each book because of mans(people err in translating the bible never gods)to discredit Enoch because The stories of Enoch's ascent into heaven(1 Enoch 71:1,5) contradicts Jesus Christ's words in John 3:13 well what about 2 Kings 2:11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. There is more then one heaven no one has ever gone to the Heaven gods dwelling because no person has never seen god the father but Christ John 1:18 Deuteronomy 10:14 Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. but there is a third heaven Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows such a man was caught up to the third heaven.3 And I know how such a man whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows Is there a possibility that he was taking about Enoch or Elijah we do not know if the third heaven is gods dwelling place he did not say it was people assume we all have a sprit that goes to heaven when we die and yes our body knows nothing when were dead because out brain is dead that doesn't mean our sprit doesn't know anything we were created a sprit first then it was breathed to us as the breath of life and we become a living soul and a body without a sprit is dead Jesus had to wait tell he died to send his sprit to people and he told Mary after he was resurrected that he had no yet gone to heaven with the father even though he had been dead for three days he was talking about himself in body not sprit to his sprit had already went to be with the father when he died and Jesus was resurrected in the flesh and ours will be like his
  • KARS
    Best advice is; READERS BEWARE. When someone tells you that a book is holy scripture other than the Holy Bible;the danger light in your head should start up. I once believed in a book that was said to be holy scripture. It took me along time to undo the damage and false doctrine. Only the Holy Bible is holy scripture.
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