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According to Jewish (Christian, and Islamic) tradition, Enoch was an ancient patriarch, the seventh descendant of Adam.

• This page is edited by Gabriele Boccaccini, University of Michigan

Overview

Enoch is mentioned in numerous Second Temple Jewish texts and is the protagonist and reputed author of books, such as 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, and 3 Enoch.

The book of Genesis

In the Book of Genesis (5:21-24) Enoch is introduced as the seventh antediluvian patriarch, son of Jared, father of Methuselah and great-grandfather of Noah. He lived "365 years" (a time span, that equals the length of the solar astronomical year, but is considerably short in comparison to the other antediluvian patriarchs). He "walked with ha-elohim (God or more likely, the angels)" (which could be a metaphoric reference to his righteousness or more likely, a reference to his acquaintance with the angels). Finally, he "was no more as Elohim (God) took him" (which seems to allude to his ascension in heaven rather than to his death).

Enoch is the Jewish version of the mythical Sumerian king Enmeduranki. In Sumerian mythology, Enmeduranki (Enmeduranna) is the seventh king of Sippar, the city of the Sun-god Shamash. The king is admitted to the divine court where he is initiated into the heavenly secrets by celestial beings. He then shares the received knowledge with human sages and his son.

Enochic literature

These elements are present and developed in the books of the Enochic tradition, and related literature.

Book of the Watchers

Enoch is introduced in the Book of the Watchers as a sage (or "scribe of righteousness") who has equal access to earth and heaven, is in conversation with the angels, and is the bearer of secret knowledge. He can then act a mediator.

Parables of Enoch

The Parables of Enoch describes the ascension of Enoch into heaven and his transformation into a celestial being. Enoch is reveled that he is the "Son of Man" foretold by Daniel, who will sit on the throne of God, performing the Judgment.

2 Enoch

3 Enoch

3 Enoch describes the transformation of Enoch into Metatron, the supreme angel of rabbinic and Hekhalot literature.

Cognate literature

A certain number of Second Temple Jewish texts support the view of Enoch as an exalted figure of seer, prophet and mediator.

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Early Christian literature and the Letter of Jude

There are numerous allusions in the earliest Christian literature to the Enochic literature but very few references to the character of Enoch. The Letter to the Hebrews . The Letter of Jude mention Enoch as a prophet, author of authoritative scripture (Jude 14). The letter of Barnabas 4:16.

Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

Alternative views

Not everybody agreed with the exalted status of Enoch in ancient Judaism.

Rabbinic Judaism maintained an ambiguous view of Enoch.

Enoch in ancient sources

• Enoch (sources) -- survey of ancient sources

Enoch in literature & the arts

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  Enoch and Elijah (17th cent. Poland), art

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  Ascension of Enoch (1728 Hoet), art

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  Traditional icon of Enoch the Prophet

• Enoch (arts) -- survey of fictional works

Enoch in scholarship

Enoch is a literary character. Studies on Enoch focus on three major aspects:

(a) the evolution of the character in ancient (Jewish, Christian, and Islamic) traditions;

(b) the literature attributed to the ancient patriarch (1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, 3 Enoch); and

(c) the intellectual movement generated by Enochic writings (see Enochic Judaism).

• See Enoch (research) -- survey of scholarly works

References

• Enoch / Andrei A. Orlov / In: The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism (2010 Collins / Harlow), dictionary, 579-581

• / [[]] / In: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 Freedman), dictionary,

External links

• [Wikipedia]