Enoch

[LearningToLetGo]

Genesis 5 ESV

5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.

8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.

11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.

14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.

17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.

23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.

31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.

Notice the genealogy in Genesis 5. Pay attention to the pattern. Each patriarch died, except Enoch whom God "took".

The Bible establishes a clear pattern only to break it when listing Enoch.

Let's discuss.

 

[Origen]

One thing I would point out is Enoch’s life span of 365 years is unusually brief compared to other persons named in the genealogy.

Note that the genealogical count is inclusive. Enoch is the "seventh from Adam" (See Jude 14) but sixth in line.

Cain named his firstborn son Enoch (Gen. 4:17).

The Hebrew form for the name is חֲנֹוך.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

Note that the genealogical count is inclusive. Enoch is the "seventh from Adam" (See Jude 14) but sixth in line.

You are right... Enoch is the 7th patriarch. From a numerology point of view, 7 is a number of completion. Obviously mankind wasn't complete but perhaps Enoch as individual was?

 

[Origen]

You are right... Enoch is the 7th patriarch. From a numerology point of view, 7 is a number of completion. Obviously mankind wasn't complete but perhaps Enoch as individual was?

The author of Jubilees certainly had a high opinion of Enoch.

"And in his life on earth he excelled the children of men save Enoch because of the righteousness, wherein he was perfect. For Enoch’s office was ordained for a testimony to the generations of the world, so that he should recount all the deeds of generation unto generation, till the day of judgment. (Jubilees 10:17)."

Most second temple literature did.

"For few have ever been created on earth like Enoch,
for he was taken up from the earth. (Sirach 49:14)"

 

[LearningToLetGo]

It's my understanding that, by the time of Nicaea, the Book of Enoch had already fallen out of mainstream use. Only the church in Ethiopia continued to copy it. Unfortunately the original language copies are gone. Only the Ethiopian translation remains.

 

[Origen]

It's my understanding that, by the time of Nicaea, the Book of Enoch had already fallen out of mainstream use.

There is no evidence Enoch was never universally considered canonical by the church say like the Gospels or the letters of Paul. It was a mixed bag for Enoch. Sure a few thought it was, like Tertullian, some did hold in high regard.

Only the church in Ethiopia continued to copy it. Unfortunately the original language copies are gone. Only the Ethiopian translation remains.

Only the complete manuscripts of Enoch are found in Geʽez (i.e. an Ethiopian language) and none of them date before the 14 century.

With the discovery Dead Sea Scrolls several fragments which found in Aramaic.

There are a few fragments in Greek.

A few other section from the book Enoch cabe be found in Coptic, Syriac, and Latin but these are few.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

With the discovery Dead Sea Scrolls several fragments which found in Aramaic.

This is interesting since it shows the age of at least part of the book.

 

[Origen]

This is interesting since it shows the age of at least part of the book.

Aramaic fragments were found from every section of the book of Enoch except the Similitudes (i.e. chapters 37–71). They are estimated to date ca. 300–200 BC.

The Dead Sea Scrolls - Browse Manuscripts

The Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library offers an exceptional encounter with antiquity. Using the world's most advanced imaging technology, the Digital Library preserves thousands of scroll fragments, including the oldest known copies of biblical texts, now accessible to the...

www.deadseascrolls.org.il

 

[LearningToLetGo]

I just completed Enoch 1:1-36. That's the most often quoted portion concerning the Watchers and Nephilim. I'm still collecting my thoughts and will post about this soon.

 

[crossnote]

One thing I would point out is Enoch’s life span of 365 years is unusually brief compared to other persons named in the genealogy.

He may have lived 8 or 900 years if God hadn't taken him.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

He may have lived 8 or 900 years if God hadn't taken him.

The way the text reads he may very well still be living today. At least that seems to be the implication.

 

[crossnote]

The way the text reads he may very well still be living today. At least that seems to be the implication.

The whole context of "and he died" (the ones you mentioned in the OP) would render his being alive today unlikely.
God would make His promise of death (both physical and spiritual) through disobedience, a sure thing, highlighting His Son's obedience

 

[LearningToLetGo]

The whole context of "and he died" (the ones you mentioned in the OP) would render his being alive today unlikely.
God would make His promise of death (both physical and spiritual) through disobedience, a sure thing, highlighting His Son's obedience

But the text does not say Enoch died. It says God took him.

 

[Origen]

Hebrews 11:5 is clear that Enoch did not die, at least not in the covenantal sense.

"By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.”

 

[crossnote]

But the text does not say Enoch died. It says God took him.

Well, I was just responding to your statement here in (post #11).

The way the text reads he may very well still be living today.

Scripture also says:
Genesis 2:17 KJV
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. And mankind of every stripe has been dying since. Granted, he may have outlived the other Patriarchs, but eventually he'd die. That's all I am saying.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

Granted, he may have outlived the other Patriarchs, but eventually he'd die. That's all I am saying.

I understand. What I am saying is he perhaps never did die and indeed still walks with God to this day.

 

[crossnote]

I understand. What I am saying is he perhaps never did die and indeed still walks with God to this day.

yup

 

[YeshuaFan]

yup

Along with Elijah then, as he was taken up while still alive, could they be those 2 witnesses in revelation?

 

[Origen]

Along with Elijah then, as he was taken up while still alive, could they be those 2 witnesses in revelation?

Commentators past and present have considered that option. Even the pseudepigraphal writings made that connection.

"After these things, Elijah and Enoch will come down. They will lay down the flesh of the world, and they will receive their spiritual flesh. They will pursue the son of lawlessness and kill him since he is not able to speak. (Apocalypse of Elijah 5:32)

"One of them answering, said, I am Enoch, who was translated by the word of God: and this man who is with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot. Here we have hitherto been, and have not tasted death, but are now about to return at the coming of Antichrist, being armed with divine signs and miracles, to engage with him in battle, and to be slain by him at Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again into the clouds, after three days and a half." (Gospel of Nicodemus 20:3–4).

Of course others have proposed Moses over Enoch.

 

[Major]

Genesis 5 ESV

5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.

8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.

11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.

14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.

17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.

23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.

31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.

Notice the genealogy in Genesis 5. Pay attention to the pattern. Each patriarch died, except Enoch whom God "took".

The Bible establishes a clear pattern only to break it when listing Enoch.

Let's discuss.

I will stick with the Bible version in Genesis 5.........
“After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."

Enoch was the great-great-great-great-grandson of Adam.

Hebrews 11:5 gives a little more detail:
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”

This being “taken away” is what Enoch is most famous for. It is a PICTURE of the Rapture.
Only two people in the Bible are said to have been chosen by God to escape death, Enoch & Elijah.

The question might be asked....... For what purpose was Enoch & Elijah taken away? The Bible does not specifically say.