The Book of Enoch, often referred to as 1 Enoch, is an ancient Jewish text ascribed to Enoch, a forefather of Noah (Genesis 5:18–24). It is considered part of Second Temple literature, written between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE. The book is composed of several sections, including the Book of the Watchers, the Book of Parables, and the Astronomical Book, among others. It contains insights into ancient Jewish theology, angelology, cosmology, and eschatology.
The question of whether the Book of Enoch should be in the Bible is a matter of theological debate, and opinions vary across Christian traditions. Here are some key considerations with biblical references:
### 1. **References to Enoch in the Bible**
– Genesis 5:24 states, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” This suggests a special relationship between Enoch and God but does not provide extensive details about his life or writings.
– Hebrews 11:5 mentions Enoch’s faith: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; ‘he could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”
– Jude 1:14–15 directly quotes or references a passage attributed to Enoch: “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness.'”
– This passage strongly resembles parts of 1 Enoch 1:9, suggesting that Jude may have been familiar with the text or the traditions it represents.
### 2. **The Canonical Status of the Book of Enoch**
– **Jewish Tradition**: The Book of Enoch is not part of the Hebrew Bible. However, it was highly regarded in Second Temple Judaism and appears to have influenced Jewish thought during that period.
– **Christian Traditions**:
– The Book of Enoch is considered canonical in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church but is not included in the canons of most other Christian denominations.
– Some early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian, respected the Book of Enoch, but it was ultimately excluded from the biblical canon in both the Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern Orthodox traditions.
– The reasons for its exclusion include questions about authorship, its alignment with established doctrine, and its use in heretical groups.
### 3. **Potential Theological Issues**
– The Book of Enoch elaborates extensively on the actions of the Watchers—fallen angels who intermarried with human women (see Genesis 6:1–4). While this aligns with some interpretations of Genesis, it goes far beyond biblical descriptions, raising concerns about its speculative nature.
– It introduces complex cosmology and angelology that are not found in the canonical texts, leading some to view it as unreliable for doctrinal teaching.
### 4. **Does Its Presence in Jude Validate It as Scripture?**
– Jude’s quotation of 1 Enoch 1:9 does not necessarily mean the entire book was considered inspired Scripture. Biblical writers sometimes reference non-canonical works. For example, Paul quotes pagan poets in Acts 17:28 and Titus 1:12 without suggesting those works are divinely inspired.
– Similarly, 1 Enoch may have been referenced by Jude as a well-known source or tradition useful for his argument, not as an endorsement of the book’s authority as Scripture.
### 5. **Modern Relevance**
– While it is not considered canonical by most Christian traditions, the Book of Enoch remains valuable for understanding early Jewish thought and the context in which the New Testament was written. It sheds light on early interpretations of Genesis, the origins of certain theological ideas, and the development of Jewish apocalyptic literature (e.g., Daniel, Revelation).
Whether the Book of Enoch should be in the Bible ultimately depends on one’s view of canon formation and inspiration. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” However, this statement applies to texts already recognized as Scripture within the early church. Since the Book of Enoch was excluded from most canons and raises theological complexities, it is typically treated as an important historical and literary work rather than divine Scripture.