Try our new: Angel Number Calculator
Faith and spirituality are a vast ocean of awe-inspiring truths. There is always more to it than what meets the eye. If you are a person of faith, you will certainly be able to vouch for this.
The depths extend into multidimensional facets- and you must have come across the Book of Enoch while seeking further knowledge and drawing guidance.
It is undeniable that the Book of Enoch is a fascinating and remarkable religious work. If you believe so too, then you must have wondered why it is not in the Bible. Why 1 Enoch is not in the Bible is a fair one- but it has persisting answers.
In this blog post, we will strive to put all your qualms to rest.
The Book of Enoch comes with an enigmatic air about it. Read on to find out more about 1 Enoch and its status in the eyes of the church. You will also gain insight into certain secrets; perhaps the church does not want you to know.
Read on to know about the origin of the Book of Enoch, the factors due to which it is not included in the Bible and more.
Contents
Tracing The Origin Of The Book Of Enoch
Before we delve deep into the cause behind the rejection of the Book of Enoch, let us trace its origin. If you have a base to anchor the book into, you will understand the proceedings of this article better.
The Book of Enoch is ascribed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. It is an ancient Jewish work of religious significance. Scholars believe that the First Book of Enoch, regarded as 1 Enoch, traditionally dates back to the 2nd century BCE.
You will find that the book itself asserts that Enoch is the author prior to the biblical flood.
In present times, there is only a single complete copy of the book that scholars know of. It originates from Ethiopia, stemming from a Greek version as well as Aramaic parent text.
The common understanding about its time of emergence boils down to somewhere between the 4th and the 6th centuries AD. The Ethiopic manuscripts are wholly in Ge’ez. They were not translated into English until the 19th century.
Some people suggest that it was originally composed in Aramaic and Hebrew. As of now, it is unknown whether a Hebrew version of the book survives.
1 Enoch has five main sections or lesser books within it:
- Book of the Watchers (1-36)
- Book of the Similitudes (37-71)
- Book of the Astronomical Writings (72-82)
- Book of the Dream Visions (83-90)
- Book of the Epistle of Enoch (91-107)
Each section of the book discusses a distinct theme of biblical relevance. According to some scholars, the different parts were independent works edited into the Book of Enoch as we know it today.
If we follow this suggestion, then the Book of Watchers is the core of the entire text. The rest of it was added around this later. However, scholars who uphold the literary integrity of 1 Enoch oppose this stance quite thoroughly.
Fragments and pieces of the Book of Enoch were discovered at Qumran among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Reasons Why The Book Of Enoch Is Not In The Bible
The church believes that the Book of Enoch is not Scripture; that is, it is not inspired by God. Per this, you cannot read the book as the Word of God. The reasons behind the rejection of the book from the Bible are valid. The Book often contradicts Scripture too. Read further to find out.
How Does The Church Regard The Book Of Enoch?
The church does not accept the Book of Enoch as a biblical canon. It is treated in the same manner as Apocryphal writings. The only exception here is the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that considers it to be canonical. While Jews do not associate it with a status of canon either, the Ethiopian Jews do.
Here are the reasons for the rejection of the Book of Enoch from Bible.
Lack Of Manuscripts Contemporary To The Life Of Enoch
As we have already established, the Book of Enoch was written in the 2nd century BCE. The date, as such, makes it impossible for them to be original copies. There are no manuscripts that date back to the time when Enoch was alive and wrote the book.
Referring To The Book Of Jude
The Book of Jude is Scripture, written under the influence of God (2 Peter 1:21). In it, Jude supposedly quotes the Book of Enoch (Jude 14-15). Some people conclude that 1 Enoch is also Scripture since Jude regarded it as such via his quoting.
The piece of the Book of Jude that sparks speculations are prevalent in Jude 1:14 and Jude 1:15. In this part, Jude speaks about ungodly men and their fate. He says that the Lord and his saints will pass judgment upon all of them and convict ungodly people. He establishes that Enoch prophesized this.
The Book of Enoch also contains a vividly similar passage. It says that the Lord will come with his holy ones and execute due judgment upon everyone. The passage goes on that person guilty of ungodly deeds shall be severely punished and destroyed.
Scholars have carefully reviewed and studied the passages, ultimately finding discrepancies. Jude states that God shall ‘convict’ all those who are ungodly. Conversely, the Book of Enoch says that God shall ‘destroy’ them.
While certain words are different due to translations, it is not the case here. Both of these words have distinct Greek versions in the texts.
There are various other differences in the quote by Jude similar. An important factor you must note is that Jude never states explicitly that he is quoting 1 Enoch. Instead, he draws his words from what Enoch prophesied. Hence, Jude is not providing a citation from the book, but he is indeed quoting Enoch as a prophet.
Jude’s book contains truthful words as God guided (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 6:18). However, there is no proof that the Book of Enoch is the Word of God. It contains some inaccuracies and wrong facts that, inversely, the Book of Jude lays out truthfully.
Jesus And The Apostles Did Not Consider It As Scripture
You may have heard of the common misbelief that the Bible evolved and changed over the years. It is untrue since the New Testament states that as the Scripture was being written, the apostles simultaneously identified it (2 Peter 3:14-16; Luke 10:7; cf. 1 Timothy 5:18). They were also providing churches with these books.
The New Testament was complete by the time of the apostles’ death. The churches and their followers were aware of the books and their content as well. During this time, the Book of Enoch was not a part of it.
Also, there is a list of titles and books that accurately belong to the New Testament. This list is credible since the Muratorian Fragment, and numerous initial fathers drafted it. 1 Enoch is absent from this list.
Jesus and the apostles did not state that the Book of Enoch is Scripture.
5 Secrets About The Book Of Enoch The Church Does Not Want You To Know
With what you have read so far, it may be easy to conclude that the Book of Enoch is indeed a paragon of enigmas. The lines between Scripture and Pseudepigrapha may seem to take on a blurred form. Despite this, the extent of the reach of works like the Book of Enoch is far more complicated than it may seem.
Read on ahead to find out 5 secrets about Enoch’s Book that perhaps stem from such complications.
1. Many Early Christians And Churches Regarded The Book Of Enoch As Scripture
The Book of Enoch was well-known in the first three centuries post-Christ. Several early Christians and fathers considered the Book of Enoch to be canonical and a part of the Scripture. They have even quoted it on many occasions. Early literature from this period has references to 1 Enoch in abundance.
The Epistle of Barnabus from the early 2nd century is rife with citations from the Book of Enoch. Church Fathers in the 2nd and the 3rd centuries also use the book. These include Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, and Clement of Alexandria. Tertullian (c.160 – c. 240), an early Christian theologian, referred to the book as Holy Scripture.
2. The Revelations In The Book Are Not Meant For The Generation Of Enoch’s Time
In the Book of Enoch, the opening verses stipulate that the book has revelations not meant for Enoch’s generation. They are meant to be understood and absorbed by remote generations long after Enoch and Christ. It may be why the book, rejected by the church earlier, is rising into awareness in present times.
Enoch 1:1-3 says, “The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect and righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation when all the wicked and godless are to be removed.
He took up his parable and said -Enoch a righteous man, whose eyes were opened by God, saw the vision of the Holy One in the heavens, which the angels showed me, and from them, I heard everything, and from them, I understood as I saw, but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come.”
3. The Book Of Enoch Is Controversial
The Book of Enoch is surrounded by plenty of controversies. It is brimming with ‘forbidden mysteries’ revolving around the Nephilim, Watchers, and more. According to a book by Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Fallen Angels and the Origins of Evil, Jesus had comprehensive Enochian knowledge.
The Book of Enoch discusses the ‘Sons of God,’ Fallen Angels, and the Nephilim in depth. There are traces of teachings that human bodies could be vessels for the incarnation of Angels.
Due to implications such as this, many people believe that the Book of Enoch may have been intentionally suppressed. It is because the book was widespread until the 3rd century, beyond which it was condemned and concealed for more than a thousand years.
4. Paul Warns About Foolish Myths And Bottomless Genealogies
In Titus 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:6; 4:7; 6:4, and 2 Timothy 2:23, Paul gives warnings about the persistence of untrue myths and endless genealogies. The Book of Enoch seems to perfectly fit into the mold that the words of Paul create as such. Enochian traditions contain Angel genealogy in a vast amount along with speculations rooting from Genesis 6, 1-4.
5. The Book Of Enoch Contains Fascinating Tales Or ‘Tidbits’ About The Faith
Not all of the content in the Book of Enoch is inaccurate. It does contain interesting tales from history and fascinating facts about the Faith itself. There is truth in the words of Enoch, as quoted by Jude. However, it does not imply that Enoch was inspired by God to write the Book of Enoch.
The book is deuterocanonical, and many such books were produced in the Intertestamental period. These works may not wholly be Scripture, but they are indeed used as devotional aids.
To Sum Up
The Book of Enoch is a mysterious religious work that is bound to pique curiosities. It has a rich pool of revelations and themes that are simply marvelous. People who have read 1 Enoch often discover that it is incredibly moving and inspirational as well.
With various allegations and myths related to the facts mentioned in the book, the mystery still remains unsolved.
The Book of Enoch brings a multitude of debates and even controversies with it. The book covers everything stemming from the past, cascading over the present, and washing into the future.
Despite this, it is not in the Bible. The main reason behind this is that 1 Enoch is not regarded as Scripture. It is only considered to be one of the Pseudepigrapha books.
I believe that the antichrist church i.e. roman catholic church were behind the removal of Enoch. If you read and study revelations you will see that christ will come back very soon to destroy the antichrist i.e. pope and the false trinity go on a site called end times prophecy and discover the truth amen. The good Samaritan parable for one read this Jesus being the Samaritan and one day in heaven is a thousand years on earth. The Samaritan pays 2p to innkeeper (GOD) for 2 days now its been two thousand years since the death and resurrection of Christ.