I am wondering about Ehoch. Some say they have found one of his lost books of the bible...?

Question

and what i have read makes alot of sense and gives alot of understanding about the rest of the Bible. how ever I do not want to believe something that could be a lie. Does any one know anything about this, or other clues in the scripture that tells us of Enoch?

Answer 1

The Book of Enoch is not part of the cannon passed down though the Hebrew Sacred writings. Because it's authenticity is questionable it's better is we stay with what we have, the writings that have been held to be the very Word of God for centuries... Jim

Answer 2

Enoch has four mentions in the scriptures. It is in Genesis 5:18-23 is listed all the details of his biography. The only real detail of his life is that he pleased God, and so was taken alive into heaven. He is mentioned again, by name only, in the genelogy of Jesus in Luke 3:37.

Next he appears in Hebrew 11:5 he is mentioned in the list of "heroes of the faith" given there. Repeated there that he pleased God and was "translated" to heaven.

Finally Jude 1:14-16 has a quote given by Jude that he accredits to Enoch. This quote is not found anywhere in the Old Testament.

The books of Enoch first appears in literature around 250 BC, at the time of the Maccabean Revolt, when Israel tried to break free from the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. During this time many writings appeared that have not been included in the Old Testament. While several (like the books of Enoch) claim to be written by people in the Old Testament, there are no copies of the books, quotes, inscriptions, translations, etc, to show that they existed prior to 250-200 BC. And several mentioned of them as "new" and "fictional" works from that time period. (There are such proves that the 39 books of the Old Testament were written much earlier).

The books enjoyed some popularity, and were translated from their original Hebrew into the more common Greek and Aramaic languages used into New Testament times. They continued to be read into the second and third century of the Christian era. A couple of the early Christian leaders even quote from one of them. (Note that the quote in Jude is NOT found in any of the books of Enoch that survive today, so its actual source is unknown.)

When the early Christian leaders were finalizing the canon of scripture, the books of Enoch were rejected because it was common knowledge at that time, and in all references to the works before that, that the books were not of ancient origin, or the work of the Enoch listed in Genesis. They were fictional works by a Maccabean era author. So they were not included in the scriptures. (Would be like scholars 400 years from now debating whether Dan Brown's DiVinci Code should be added to scripture. Hopefully it would not be because they would still know at that time that it was a fictional work written hundreds of years after the facts.)

The Books of Enoch are an interesting read. The author(s) - appear that they are the work of more that one man - had a lot of knowledge of Jewish beliefs, traditions and history, and brings them into the books. Plus he has the miracle of 20/20 hindsight. In 200 BC, he can predict with 100% success what would happen in the two thousand years BEFORE he wrote.

At no time have the Books of Enoch been considered to be scripture by either the Jewish or Christian faith. They are, however, of historical interest and worth the time to read - as long as it is remembered that they are works of fiction, not fact.

Answer 3

The Jewish Sanhedrin at Yavneh c. 90 AD removed this book from its Scriptures. Partly due to this, the book was discredited after the (Christian) Council of Laodicea in 364. The Greek text was subsequently lost.

Answer 4

the Book of Enoch?

In Genesis 5 (see bdlow) and iIn Jude verse 14
"Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these"

The Book of Enoch is not part of the Hebrew Scriptures nor of the Septaugint. But it does seem to be an ancient Hebrew book. Not included in the Bible, it is not considered as being inspired though the portion quoted by Jude does thus have the authentication of inspiration.

As ancient Hebrew writing, it can help us understand the Bible BUT doctrine should not be based on the Book of Enoch (except that portion quoted by Jude).


Wesley's Notes
Genesis 5

V This chapter is the only authentic history extant of the first age of the world from the creation to the flood, containing (according to the Hebrew text) 1656 years. The genealogy here recorded is inserted briefly in the pedigree of our saviour, Luke iii, 36, 37. and is of great use to shew that Christ was the seed of the woman, that was promised.

Genesis 5:22. Notes: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah - To walk with God, is to set God always before us, and to act as those that are always under his eye. It is to live a life of communion with God, both in ordinances and providences; it is to make God's word our rule, and his glory our end, in all our actions; it is to make it our constant care and endeavour in every thing to please God, and in nothing to offend him; it is to comply with his will, to concur with his designs, and to be workers together with him. He walked with God after he begat Methuselah, which intimates, that he did not begin to be eminent for piety 'till about that time.

Genesis 5:24. Notes: He was not, for God took him - That is, as it is explained, Heb. xi, 5, he was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him. But why did God take him so soon? Surely because the world, which was now grown corrupt, was not worthy of him. Because his work was done, and done the sooner for his minding it so closely. He was not, for God took him - He was not any longer in this world: it was not the period of his being, but of his being here. He was not found; so the apostle explains it from the seventy; not found by his friends, who sought him, as the sons of the prophets sought Elijah, 2 Kings ii, 17. God took him body and soul to himself in the heavenly paradise, by the ministry of angels, as afterwards he took Elijah. He was changed, as those saints shall be that will be found alive at Christ's second coming.