1 Enoch - The Book of Enoch
1 Enoch (also called the Ethiopic Apocalypse of Enoch) is an ancient Jewish apocalyptic text attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. The complete version survives only in Ethiopic (Ge’ez). It is composed of five distinct sections composed at different periods (circa 300 BCE - 100 CE).
The book is critical for understanding Second Temple Judaism and early Christian messianism, particularly the Son of Man figure in the Parables (chapters 37-71).
“And there I saw One, who had a head of days, and His head was white like wool, and with Him was another being whose countenance had the appearance of a man… And I asked the angel who went with me concerning that Son of Man, who he was…” — 1 Enoch 46:1-2
Editions
- 1 Enoch (Charles 1917) - R.H. Charles translation, Project Gutenberg
Sections
| Chapters | Section |
|---|---|
| 1-36 | Book of Watchers (Fall of Angels, Enoch’s Journeys) |
| 37-71 | Book of Parables / Similitudes (Son of Man) |
| 72-82 | Book of Heavenly Luminaries (Astronomical) |
| 83-90 | Book of Dreams (Animal Apocalypse) |
| 91-108 | Epistle of Enoch (Apocalypse of Weeks) |
Key Messianic Passages
- Chapter 46 - Son of Man appears with the Head of Days
- Chapter 48 - Son of Man hidden before the creation
- Chapter 62 - Judgment by the Son of Man
- Chapter 71 - Enoch identified as the Son of Man
- Chapter 93 - Apocalypse of Weeks (eschatological timeline)
- Chapter 90 - The White Bull vision (Messianic Kingdom)
Messianic Themes
The Parables of Enoch (37-71) contain the most developed pre-Christian “Son of Man” theology, directly informing Daniel 7 interpretation and early Christian Christology. The Elect One/Son of Man figure is:
- Pre-existent (hidden before creation, ch. 48)
- Seated on the throne of glory (ch. 45, 51, 62)
- Universal judge of angels and humans (ch. 62-63)
- The light of the nations (ch. 48)
Cross-tradition parallels:
- Torah: Enoch (Torah) - taken without dying (Gen 5:24)
- Tipitaka: DN 26 - Metteyya as pre-existent cosmic figure
- Avesta: Yasna 29 - Saoshyant chosen before creation