What do you think?
Rate this book
The Book of Enoch: Modern, Updated English Translation
The Book of Enoch, while historically significant and influential, stands notably outside the traditional Biblical canon accepted by most Jewish and Christian traditions. Written primarily in the 2nd century B.C., this pseudepigraphical work claims authorship from Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, though scholars widely agree it was composed centuries after the time it purports to describe.
We have updated this classic work into modern, updated English so you can understand exactly what the author(s) intended.
Despite its early popularity and citation in the New Testament's Epistle of Jude, the Book of Enoch was ultimately excluded from most Biblical canons for several crucial reasons. Its late composition date, questionable authorship, and contents that sometimes conflict with canonical scripture led early religious authorities to question its divine inspiration. Additionally, its elaborate angelology and detailed cosmological descriptions went far beyond the scope of canonical Biblical texts, raising concerns about its authenticity.
The work is divided into five distinct sections, each presenting theological concepts that often extend beyond traditional Biblical teachings.
The Book of Watchers (chapters 1-36) introduces controversial ideas about fallen angels mating with humans and teaching forbidden knowledge.
The Book of Parables (chapters 37-71) contains messianic visions that, while influential, differ from traditional prophetic literature.
The Astronomical Book (chapters 72-82) presents a 364-day calendar that conflicts with other Biblical timekeeping.
The Book of Dream Visions (chapters 83-90) and The Epistle of Enoch (chapters 91-108) offer apocalyptic predictions and moral teachings that, while fascinating, weren't considered divinely inspired by early church fathers.
Lost to Western audiences for nearly 2,000 years until its discovery in Ethiopia in 1773, the text survived only through the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which alone maintains it as canonical. The manuscript's disappearance from other traditional Biblical collections for such a lengthy period further contributed to its exclusion from the widely accepted canon.
The Book of Enoch's influence can still be seen in various New Testament writings, particularly the Epistle of Jude's direct quotation. However, this reference alone wasn't sufficient for its inclusion in the canon, as early religious authorities cited other non-canonical works as well. Its elaborate descriptions of angels, demons, and the afterlife, while captivating, often venture into speculative territory beyond the scope of accepted scripture.
Modern scholars value the text primarily as a window into Second Temple Judaism and the development of apocalyptic literature, rather than as divinely inspired scripture. Its detailed cosmology and messianic prophecies provide crucial context for understanding the religious environment that influenced early Christianity and rabbinic Judaism, even as they demonstrate why the work remained outside the Biblical canon.
Today, the Book of Enoch serves as a fascinating example of ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, offering important historical and cultural insights while illustrating the careful process by which religious authorities determined Biblical canonicity. Its existence reminds us that many influential religious texts circulated in ancient times, but only those meeting strict criteria for authenticity, consistency, and divine inspiration were ultimately included in the Biblical canon.
We have updated this classic work into modern, updated English so you can understand exactly what the author(s) intended.
Despite its early popularity and citation in the New Testament's Epistle of Jude, the Book of Enoch was ultimately excluded from most Biblical canons for several crucial reasons. Its late composition date, questionable authorship, and contents that sometimes conflict with canonical scripture led early religious authorities to question its divine inspiration. Additionally, its elaborate angelology and detailed cosmological descriptions went far beyond the scope of canonical Biblical texts, raising concerns about its authenticity.
The work is divided into five distinct sections, each presenting theological concepts that often extend beyond traditional Biblical teachings.
The Book of Watchers (chapters 1-36) introduces controversial ideas about fallen angels mating with humans and teaching forbidden knowledge.
The Book of Parables (chapters 37-71) contains messianic visions that, while influential, differ from traditional prophetic literature.
The Astronomical Book (chapters 72-82) presents a 364-day calendar that conflicts with other Biblical timekeeping.
The Book of Dream Visions (chapters 83-90) and The Epistle of Enoch (chapters 91-108) offer apocalyptic predictions and moral teachings that, while fascinating, weren't considered divinely inspired by early church fathers.
Lost to Western audiences for nearly 2,000 years until its discovery in Ethiopia in 1773, the text survived only through the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which alone maintains it as canonical. The manuscript's disappearance from other traditional Biblical collections for such a lengthy period further contributed to its exclusion from the widely accepted canon.
The Book of Enoch's influence can still be seen in various New Testament writings, particularly the Epistle of Jude's direct quotation. However, this reference alone wasn't sufficient for its inclusion in the canon, as early religious authorities cited other non-canonical works as well. Its elaborate descriptions of angels, demons, and the afterlife, while captivating, often venture into speculative territory beyond the scope of accepted scripture.
Modern scholars value the text primarily as a window into Second Temple Judaism and the development of apocalyptic literature, rather than as divinely inspired scripture. Its detailed cosmology and messianic prophecies provide crucial context for understanding the religious environment that influenced early Christianity and rabbinic Judaism, even as they demonstrate why the work remained outside the Biblical canon.
Today, the Book of Enoch serves as a fascinating example of ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, offering important historical and cultural insights while illustrating the careful process by which religious authorities determined Biblical canonicity. Its existence reminds us that many influential religious texts circulated in ancient times, but only those meeting strict criteria for authenticity, consistency, and divine inspiration were ultimately included in the Biblical canon.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2025
69 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
R.H. Charles
302 books66 followersRobert Henry Charles (1855–1931) was an Irish biblical scholar and theologian. He left parochial work in 1889 to devote himself to biblical research and became the greatest authority of his time in matters of Jewish eschatology and apocrypha. He became a canon at Westminster Abbey in 1913 and archdeacon there in 1919. His books include Eschatology (1913, 2nd ed), Between the Old and New Testaments (1914), and his edition of The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament. (1913). He is known particularly for English translations of apocryphal and pseudepigraphal works, and editions including Jubilees (1895), the Book of Enoch (1906), and the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (1908) which have been widely used. Among his other publications are The Apocalypse (1920), Divorce and Nullity (1927), and The Resurrection of Man (1930). He was educated at the Belfast Academy, Queen's College, Belfast and Trinity College, Dublin. He gained a D.D. and became Professor of Biblical Greek at Trinity College.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 13, 2025
The Book of Enoch is a captivating and thought-provoking ancient text that offers a fascinating glimpse into early Jewish mysticism and apocalyptic literature. Attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, this non-canonical work expands on the brief biblical account of his life, weaving an intricate narrative filled with angelic rebellions, cosmic visions, and divine judgments. Its vivid descriptions of heavenly realms, the fall of the Watchers, and prophecies of the Messiah provide a rich backdrop that has influenced religious thought and inspired countless interpretations over the centuries. While its dense symbolism and esoteric nature may challenge modern readers, the book's imaginative depth and spiritual intrigue make it a timeless masterpiece worthy of a 5/5 rating for those seeking to explore the mysteries of the divine and the origins of apocalyptic tradition.
Displaying 1 of 1 review