Angels, Giants, and Divine Judgement- Oh My!
Gleaning Wisdom from The Book of Enoch
Did you know there’s an ancient book filled with mysterious visions of angels, cosmic secrets, and apocalyptic judgment—a book that claims to reveal divine knowledge but isn’t included in most Bibles? The Book of Enoch, once widely read and influential, offers a unique window into ancient beliefs about heaven and earth. Why was this text revered in its time, and what led to its exclusion from Christian scripture?
Today on Wisdom Now: Why And How, we are looking at the second installment of my series on Ancient Apocryphal/ Pseudepigraphal texts. I’ve been intrigued by this under-discussed set of texts for a while, so my plan is to put out an article every few weeks that boils down one of the books to its most interesting and useful information. I’ll start with a historical context and background, then talk about the content of the book of Enoch and how it differs from the Bible, then go over a brief history of why it was excluded from traditional scriptural cannon, and finish by asking “So What?” Feel free to skip around to the sections that interest you the most! By examining the cultural context and content of The Book of Enoch, we’ll find what wisdom there is to be found in this text and gain a deeper understanding of Early Christian/Jewish Thought. Why? Because it’s cool! How? Read and find out!
Introduction
The Book of Enoch is a fascinating and complex work that has intrigued scholars and religious readers alike for centuries. Traditionally attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, this ancient Jewish text is a collection of visions, prophecies, and teachings that explore themes of divine judgment, angelic beings, and esoteric knowledge. While influential in early Jewish and Christian communities, the Book of Enoch is notably absent from most biblical canons, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church being one of the few exceptions that includes it as sacred scripture.
The Book of Enoch differs from the main apocryphal books associated with the Bible. Typically, the term “Apocrypha” refers to a group of seven books found in the Greek Septuagint but not in the Hebrew Bible, such as Tobit, Judith, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are included in the Catholic and Orthodox canons. (At some point I plan to explore these texts in this series) Unlike these apocryphal texts, which have historical and religious significance within certain Christian traditions, the Book of Enoch falls into a separate category known as "pseudepigrapha."
Pseudepigrapha refers to ancient works written under the names of prominent biblical figures, often with the purpose of lending authority to specific teachings or visions. Although these texts may contain moral or theological insights, they are generally not considered divinely inspired or authoritative within mainstream Christian doctrine. The Book of Enoch—often dated to the intertestamental period, roughly between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC—is one of the most prominent pseudepigraphal works and serves as a vivid example of Jewish apocalyptic literature. Let’s start our examination of this text by diving a little deeper into that cultural/historical context.
Cultural and Historical Background
The Book of Enoch emerged during a transformative period for Jewish culture, likely between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. This era, known as the intertestamental period, was marked by intense political and cultural shifts due to foreign domination. After the Babylonian Exile, Jewish society encountered the influence of Persian and later Greek rule, both of which left lasting imprints on religious thought and literary forms.
Persian Influence: Under Persian rule, Jewish communities became familiar with Zoroastrianism, the religion of Persia, which featured dualistic themes of good versus evil, angelic hierarchies, and a final judgment where evil would be defeated. These concepts resonated with Jewish beliefs but added depth to them, encouraging the development of an elaborate angelology and the idea of cosmic struggle—both central to the Book of Enoch. Zoroastrianism’s influence helped shape a Jewish apocalyptic worldview, one that focused on God’s eventual triumph over evil forces.
Greek Influence: When Alexander the Great conquered Persia, the Greek empire and Hellenistic culture became dominant. Greek ideas about the cosmos, philosophical questions about fate and destiny, and the human yearning for eternal life began to seep into Jewish thought. However, Hellenization also brought pressures to conform to Greek cultural and religious practices, which many Jews saw as a threat to their religious identity. Apocalyptic literature, including Enoch, became a way for Jews to resist assimilation by affirming their unique beliefs in a dramatic, symbolic format that contrasted with Greek human-centered philosophies.
The Rise of Apocalyptic Literature:
In the face of foreign rule, oppression, and cultural conflict, the apocalyptic genre became an essential tool for expressing both hope and resistance. Apocalyptic texts, including the Book of Enoch, served to:
1. Affirm God’s Control Over History: They reassured readers that God was ultimately sovereign and would judge both nations and supernatural powers that threatened Israel.
2. Highlight the Cosmic Struggle: The idea of an ongoing battle between divine and evil forces allowed Jews to interpret their current struggles as part of a larger cosmic plan.
3. Offer Hope for Divine Intervention: Apocalyptic literature predicted that God would intervene dramatically to defeat evil and establish his kingdom, giving readers hope in a time when oppression was a daily reality.
By situating their own struggles within a grand, divine narrative, Jews of this period found strength and purpose. The Book of Enoch reflects these influences, painting a vivid picture of angels, cosmic mysteries, and ultimate judgment—a portrayal that would echo in later Christian texts like Revelation.
Today, the Book of Enoch offers readers a window into early Jewish and Christian apocalyptic beliefs. Its cosmic visions and moral teachings provide insight into how ancient believers sought to understand the unseen world and divine justice. By situating Enoch within its historical context, we can begin to appreciate its impact on religious thought and why it continues to be a subject of fascination.
HOW does Enoch differ from the Bible?
Overall, this book is very different from almost every book in the Bible. It touches on some familiar themes and concepts, but goes beyond that in some places. Let’s take a look at these new or expanded ideas.
The Story of the Watchers and Their Descent to Earth
In the Book of Enoch, particularly in the Book of the Watchers (chapters 6-16), a group of angels called the “Watchers” descend to earth, led by a chief angel named Semyaza. They take human wives and have offspring known as the Nephilim—giant, violent beings who bring chaos to the world. This story expands on a brief reference in Genesis 6:1-4, where “the sons of God” are described as taking human wives, resulting in the Nephilim. The Book of Enoch develops this story with elaborate details about the angels’ rebellion and their subsequent punishment by God.
Enoch 6:2-4: “And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants, whose height was three thousand ells, who consumed all the acquisitions of men.”
The Teaching of Forbidden Knowledge
One of the central themes in Enoch is the idea that the Watchers imparted secret, forbidden knowledge to humans. This includes arts like weapon-making, cosmetics, magic, astrology, and the properties of plants and metals. This forbidden wisdom leads to moral corruption and ultimately helps explain why God punishes both the angels and humanity. The Bible does not discuss any similar transmission of knowledge by angels, which is unique to Enoch’s text.
Enoch 8:1-3: “And Azazel taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them... and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones and all coloring tinctures.”
This scene positions the Watchers as corrupters who turn humanity away from God by promoting violence, vanity, and occult practices.
Elaborate Depictions of Heaven and the Angelic Hierarchy
Enoch gives readers a detailed tour of heavenly realms and an extensive angelic hierarchy. Enoch describes seeing different levels of heaven, each with distinct beings and purposes, and encounters various types of angels, each with specific roles. The Bible provides only glimpses of heaven (e.g., Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6 and John’s vision in Revelation), but Enoch elaborates much further.
Enoch 14:8-18 describes Enoch’s journey through several heavenly realms, eventually reaching a place where God resides in indescribable glory. Enoch recounts visions of fiery clouds, crystal palaces, and walls covered in stars.
Enoch 20:1-8 lists seven archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Remiel, and Saraqael), each responsible for different aspects of creation or judgment. This detailed hierarchy of angelic roles and names is not found in the Bible, where the roles of angels are often unspecified and few are named.
Judgment of the Watchers and Their Offspring
Description: The Book of Enoch describes a unique judgment specifically directed at the fallen angels and their giant offspring, the Nephilim. God commands archangels to imprison the Watchers and destroy their offspring, the Nephilim, by a flood—a prelude to the story of Noah’s Flood in Genesis. This cosmic judgment against the rebellious angels is much more extensive than the brief mention of God’s sorrow in Genesis.
Enoch 10:4-7: God instructs the archangel Raphael to bind Azazel (one of the Watchers) and throw him into a desert pit, covered with sharp stones, until the final judgment.
Enoch 10:9-10: God orders the archangel Gabriel to cause the Nephilim to destroy each other in battle, ensuring that they do not overrun the earth. This divine punishment of the Watchers and Nephilim adds a cosmic dimension to the Genesis Flood narrative, emphasizing God’s judgment on both spiritual and physical levels.
The Vision of the Final Judgment and the Coming of the “Son of Man”
Later sections of the Book of Enoch, especially in the Similitudes of Enoch (chapters 37-71), describe visions of a final judgment, where all sinful beings—human and angelic—face God’s wrath. A figure known as the “Son of Man” is described as a powerful messianic figure who will execute judgment, vanquish evil, and establish a kingdom of righteousness. This vision prefigures the New Testament’s portrayal of Jesus as the “Son of Man” and final judge, especially in passages like Matthew 24 and Revelation.
Enoch 46:1-2: “There I beheld the Ancient of Days whose head was like white wool... and there was with him another, whose countenance had the appearance of a man.” This “Son of Man” will sit on a throne of glory and judge both the living and the dead.
Enoch 62:5-6 speaks of the righteous being vindicated and the wicked punished under the rule of this “Elect One,” echoing themes of final judgment found in the New Testament.
The Role of Enoch as an Intermediary and Scribe
In Enoch, Enoch himself is depicted as a mediator between the fallen angels and God, as well as a scribe who records visions and messages from God. He petitions on behalf of the Watchers, though their plea for forgiveness is ultimately denied. This idea of Enoch as a heavenly scribe who records divine secrets is unique to Enoch and is not present in the Bible’s brief mentions of Enoch (e.g., Genesis 5:24, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him”).
Enoch 13:4-5: The Watchers ask Enoch to petition God on their behalf. He delivers their plea, but God’s judgment is already set, emphasizing the seriousness of their transgressions.
Enoch 12:4 describes Enoch as a “scribe of righteousness,” who not only documents his visions but is also given divine insights to share with future generations.
WHY was it excluded from Scripture?
The decision to exclude The Book of Enoch from the biblical canon was complex, influenced by historical, theological, and cultural factors, and it unfolded gradually over centuries. Several key groups, including Jewish and early Christian leaders, made decisions that contributed to its exclusion. Here's an overview of the process and some of the reasons why Enoch was ultimately left out:
Jewish Canonization Process
When it was written The Book of Enoch was widely read and respected in many Jewish communities, especially those in the region of Judea and in the Diaspora. Its apocalyptic and messianic themes were particularly influential within certain Jewish sects, such as the Essenes (the group associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls), who included fragments of Enoch in their library at Qumran. These early Jewish communities saw Enoch as a source of divine revelation, similar to other apocalyptic texts (Daniel, Baruch, Jubilees) that anticipated God’s intervention in human history.
By the 1st century AD, mainstream Jewish leaders, especially those in the Pharisaic and later rabbinic tradition, began to move away from texts with overtly apocalyptic and esoteric content. The Book of Enoch, with its vivid descriptions of fallen angels, cosmic battles, and visions of heaven, was seen as potentially misleading or as overly speculative. When Jewish scholars convened at the Council of Jamnia (c. 90 AD) to discuss the Hebrew canon, they favored texts with a clear focus on the Law (Torah), Prophets, and Writings, excluding works that diverged from these central teachings. Although the Book of Enoch may have been respected, it was not universally recognized as scripture by Jewish authorities, and it was not included in the official Hebrew Bible.
Early Christian Reception
In the early Christian period, The Book of Enoch continued to be influential, especially among early Church Fathers. Jude 1:14-15 quotes directly from Enoch, and 2 Peter 2:4 refers to themes found in Enoch about the binding of fallen angels. Several early Christian leaders, including Tertullian (c. 160–220 AD), considered Enoch to be scripture and argued for its inclusion in the Christian canon.
As the Christian canon began to take shape in the 4th century, leaders within the emerging orthodox Christian church increasingly viewed Enoch with skepticism. Concerns arose about its speculative content, which did not align neatly with orthodox teachings on angels, demons, and eschatology. Additionally, some Church Fathers questioned the authorship of Enoch, labeling it as pseudepigraphal (falsely attributed to Enoch) and doubting its authenticity as a direct revelation. This skepticism, combined with a preference for texts that aligned more closely with accepted doctrine, led to Enoch’s gradual exclusion from mainstream Christian teachings and the formation of the canon.
Influence of the Councils and Official Canonization
In the 4th and 5th centuries, Church Councils like the Councils of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 and 419 AD) made influential decisions on which books were to be included in the canon. These councils affirmed the 27 books of the New Testament that are now recognized today and leaned toward the 39 books of the Old Testament found in the Hebrew Bible. The Councils did not endorse The Book of Enoch as canonical scripture, which solidified its exclusion from what would become the authoritative Christian Bible.
St. Jerome, who compiled the Latin Vulgate Bible in the late 4th century, used the Hebrew canon as the basis for the Old Testament and did not include The Book of Enoch. His decision further solidified the preference for the Hebrew canon in Western Christianity, which did not include Enoch.
In summary, The Book of Enoch was excluded from the canon due to its speculative and apocalyptic content like its depiction of angels intermarrying with humans and the extensive hierarchy of angelic beings that did not align with orthodox teachings. Additionally, Enoch’s visions of heaven, descriptions of cosmic judgment, and portrayal of a “Son of Man” figure were seen as either speculative or potentially misleading. On top of this, concerns over its pseudepigraphal nature, and a preference among early religious leaders for texts that directly supported orthodox doctrine and central theological principles. These decisions, shaped over centuries, reflect the evolving criteria used by both Jewish and Christian leaders to determine which texts would hold authority in their communities.
So What?
Why does The Book of Enoch matter for modern Christians if it’s not included in the canon? Despite its exclusion from official Scripture, Enoch provides rich imagery and compelling questions that can deepen our understanding of themes like faith, obedience, and spiritual warfare. It reminds us that, beyond what we see in the physical world, there exists a spiritual dimension where God’s justice is active and his purposes unfold, even in ways we may not understand. Enoch encourages us to think seriously about our place within this larger story of God’s creation and judgment.
The book’s warnings about the consequences of rebellion against God, as seen in the stories of the fallen angels, prompt us to reflect on the nature of sin, especially pride and the desire for independence from God. In our daily lives, this can serve as a reminder to examine our own choices, considering where we might struggle with pride or disobedience in subtle or open ways. The apocalyptic vision of Enoch also speaks to the idea of hope in God’s ultimate justice—a reassurance that, even in a world of chaos or injustice, God’s truth and righteousness will prevail.
As always, I want to leave you with reflection questions to help you apply this who is doing it to your daily life. I encourage you to take a few moments with each of these questions to make this study relevant to you. Ask yourself…
-Where do I see “giants” in my life today—things that seem too big, too intimidating to overcome? How might relying on God’s power, rather than my own strength, help me face these challenges?
-What temptations might I be entertaining that could subtly draw me away from God’s will, much like the angels who chose to disobey? How can I better guard my heart and actions?
-In what ways am I called to seek justice in a world that often resists it? How can I align my life more closely with God’s values of mercy and righteousness?
-How does the hope of God’s ultimate judgment and renewal affect my perspective on the struggles or injustices I see around me? How might this hope shift the way I approach daily life?
While The Book of Enoch is not part of the Bible, it offers profound insights that challenge us to think about the nature of sin, the unseen spiritual world, and the assurance that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. For Christians today, it can serve as a powerful supplement to our understanding of God’s holiness and the importance of living faithfully.
Ok I’m done
SDG
-Ryan Parmenter
Sources:
[1] Book of Enoch - Text Manuscripts https://www.textmanuscripts.com/medieval/book-enoch-60513
[2] [PDF] The Book of Enoch and Second Temple Judaism. https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2588&context=etd
[3] 8 Facts about The Book of Enoch and its Content - TheCollector https://www.thecollector.com/book-of-enoch-facts/
[4] A New Biography of Enoch (and an excellent tool for the Book of ... https://latterdaysaintmag.com/a-new-biography-of-enoch-and-an-excellent-tool-for-the-book-of-moses/
[5] First Book of Enoch | Summary, History, & Facts - Britannica https://www.britannica.com/topic/First-Book-of-Enoch
[6] The Book of Enoch - Cups to Crowns https://www.cupstocrowns.com/blog/book-of-enoch
[7] Where Was The Book of Enoch Discovered? - YouTube
[8] Book of Enoch | Facts, the Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible - Study.com https://study.com/academy/lesson/book-enoch-history-summary-facts-1.html