Why Do We Reject the Book of Enoch?
The rejection of the Book of Enoch from the canonical Bible by most Jewish and Christian denominations stems from a complex interplay of factors, including its non-inclusion in established scriptural canons, questions regarding its authorship and dating, perceived doctrinal inconsistencies with core theological tenets, and its classification as pseudepigraphal literature. While some traditions, such as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, accept it as canonical, the majority view considers it an important historical and religious text, but not divinely inspired Scripture.
Historical and Canonical Considerations
The Old Testament canon was largely established by Jewish scholars centuries before the Common Era. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, included some texts later deemed apocryphal by Protestants, but even this version did not include the Book of Enoch. The Hebrew Bible, especially the Masoretic Text, became the standard for Jewish scripture, solidifying a canon that excluded Enoch.
Early Christian communities largely adopted the Septuagint, initially accepting some apocryphal books. However, as the Church Fathers defined Christian doctrine and clarified the New Testament canon, books like Enoch were gradually excluded. While the Book of Jude in the New Testament references 1 Enoch 1:9, this citation is not considered sufficient grounds for canonical inclusion by most denominations. The absence of Enoch from the core lists of accepted scriptures, coupled with ongoing debates about its origin and reliability, cemented its extracanonical status.
Authorship, Dating, and Textual Integrity
The authorship of the Book of Enoch is attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, but scholarly consensus points to a far later period of composition, likely between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE. This significantly later dating casts doubt on the traditional attribution and raises questions about its authenticity as a record of pre-flood events.
Furthermore, the text itself exists in various versions and fragments, primarily in Ge’ez (Ethiopic), with some Aramaic fragments discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls. This textual complexity introduces challenges in establishing a definitive original text, making interpretations more difficult and fueling skepticism about its reliability. The lack of direct, verifiable links to the purported author or early historical events weakens its claim to scriptural authority.
Doctrinal and Theological Issues
The doctrines presented in the Book of Enoch often diverge from mainstream Jewish and Christian theology. As the original article notes, the presence of angels like Phanuel, who are granted the power to forgive sins and grant eternal life, is a significant departure from the orthodox understanding of God’s exclusive authority in such matters.
Other concepts within Enoch, such as the detailed descriptions of fallen angels and their interactions with humanity, while fascinating, are viewed by many as elaborations and interpretations that lack scriptural support in the accepted biblical canon. These discrepancies contribute to the rejection of Enoch as an authoritative source for theological doctrines.
Pseudepigraphal Nature
The Book of Enoch belongs to a genre of ancient religious writings known as pseudepigrapha. These texts are often attributed to biblical figures but are actually written much later, typically to lend authority to their teachings or interpretations. While pseudepigraphal works can provide valuable insights into the religious beliefs and cultural contexts of their time, they are not generally considered divinely inspired or canonical. The fact that Enoch falls into this category adds to the reasons for its rejection as Scripture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Bible includes the Book of Enoch?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church includes the Book of Enoch in its Old Testament canon. Some editions of the Bible marketed as study tools also include it as an appendix or additional text, though not as canonical scripture.
2. How does the Book of Enoch describe heaven?
The Book of Enoch describes ten heavens, with the first heaven being just above the firmament where angels control atmospheric phenomena. The second heaven is portrayed as a prison where rebel angels are tortured.
3. What does the Book of Enoch say about fallen angels?
The Book of Enoch details the story of 200 fallen angels who descended to earth, married human women, engaged in unnatural unions, and taught forbidden knowledge.
4. What are the 14 books removed from the Bible?
This number can be subjective depending on which tradition is being discussed. The Apocrypha contains books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, 1 and 2 Maccabees, etc., which were removed from the Protestant Bible by Martin Luther. The Pseudepigrapha includes books such as the Book of Enoch, the Book of Jubilees, and others.
5. Is the Book of Enoch considered Scripture?
Only by certain religious groups like the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Most Jewish and Christian denominations do not consider it canonical Scripture.
6. Why is Daniel 13 not in some Bibles?
Daniel 13 refers to the Additions to Daniel, stories not found in the Hebrew or Aramaic texts but present in the Greek Septuagint. Most Protestant Bibles omit these chapters because they consider them apocryphal.
7. Who removed the 7 books from the Bible?
Martin Luther removed several books from the Old Testament in his German translation of the Bible, based on the Masoretic Text rather than the Septuagint. He questioned their authority and considered them less inspired than the core biblical texts.
8. What does the Bible say about Enoch?
Genesis 5:24 states that Enoch “walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” Hebrews 11:5 adds that Enoch was translated so he would not see death and that he pleased God.
9. What angel did Enoch turn into?
Some traditions suggest that Enoch was transformed into the angel Metatron, a celestial being of high rank. This idea is largely developed in Merkabah mysticism.
10. What was Satan’s name when he was an angel?
The name Lucifer is often associated with Satan’s former identity as an angel. This association is primarily based on interpretations of Isaiah 14:12, which describes the fall of a “shining one” (Lucifer) from heaven.
11. What did Enoch say about Jesus?
The Book of Enoch contains passages that some interpret as prophecies about the Messiah, referred to as the “Son of Man.” However, these interpretations are debated, and their understanding relies on specific readings of the text.
12. Did fallen angels mate with humans?
The Book of Enoch describes fallen angels engaging in unnatural unions with human women, producing hybrid offspring. This narrative is also found in other ancient texts and mythologies.
13. Did Enoch see God’s face?
2 Enoch 22 portrays Enoch encountering the Lord in the celestial realm and seeing His face. This encounter is described as being overwhelming and awe-inspiring.
14. Who wrote the Book of Enoch?
While traditionally ascribed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, modern scholarship suggests that the Book of Enoch was written by multiple authors over several centuries, likely between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE.
15. Is Melchizedek mentioned in the Book of Enoch?
Yes, Melchizedek is mentioned in 2 Enoch. It presents him as part of a priestly lineage extending from Methuselah to Nir and then to Melchizedek.
The rejection of the Book of Enoch is a multifaceted issue rooted in canonical history, textual concerns, and doctrinal discrepancies. While it remains an important text for understanding ancient religious thought and is considered canonical by some traditions, its absence from mainstream biblical canons reflects ongoing debates about its authorship, authenticity, and theological compatibility with core scriptural teachings. Learning about this subject and others helps expand our knowledge and grow our interest in exploring new ideas, such as the ones developed in the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.