Why Was the Book of Enoch Removed From the Bible?

The Bible, as we know it, is a collection of texts revered by Christians and Jews alike. Within its pages, we encounter captivating stories, profound prophecies, and timeless wisdom. Among these narratives, the enigmatic figure of Enoch stands out. Genesis 5:21-24 tells us that Enoch “walked with God,” and in a startling departure from the typical human fate, he “was not, for God took him.” This brief but intriguing mention has sparked immense curiosity over centuries, leading many to explore texts outside the canonical Bible that delve deeper into Enoch’s life and experiences. One such text is the Book of Enoch.

You might have encountered the Book of Enoch in your own spiritual journey, finding it, as many do, to be a compelling and thought-provoking read. Its scope is vast, touching upon themes from creation to judgment, and offering perspectives that resonate with biblical concepts. This might naturally lead to the question: if the Book of Enoch is so insightful and covers such important ground, why was the Book of Enoch removed from the Bible? This question is not about removal, but about inclusion in the first place, as it was never officially part of the widely accepted biblical canon. Let’s explore the Book of Enoch, its contents, and the reasons behind its non-canonical status within mainstream Christianity and Judaism.

Understanding the Book of Enoch

The text commonly referred to as the Book of Enoch is formally known as 1 Enoch or Ethiopic Enoch. Scholars believe it originated sometime between the second and first centuries BC, placing its composition in the intertestamental period – the time between the Old and New Testaments. It’s important to note that there are also 2 Enoch (Slavonic Enoch) and 3 Enoch (Hebrew Enoch), but 1 Enoch is the most widely discussed and the one typically meant when “Book of Enoch” is mentioned.

Book of Enoch

1 Enoch is a composite work, structured into five main sections, often referred to as “books” themselves, each exploring different themes and visions attributed to Enoch:

1. Book of the Watchers (Chapters 1-36): This section details the fall of the “Watchers” – angels who descended to Earth and cohabited with humans, producing offspring known as Nephilim. It discusses the resulting corruption of humanity and the impending judgment.
2. Book of Similitudes (or Parables) (Chapters 37-71): These chapters are rich in messianic themes, visions of judgment, and the unveiling of “the Son of Man,” a figure often interpreted as prefiguring Jesus Christ. It also touches on resurrection, the Flood, and paradise.
3. Book of the Astronomical Writings (Chapters 72-82): This section delves into cosmological matters, describing the movements of celestial bodies, the calendar, and the secrets of the universe as revealed to Enoch.
4. Book of Dream Visions (Chapters 83-90): Presented as dream sequences, this part recounts a historical overview from before the Flood to the Maccabean Revolt, often using animal symbolism to represent people and events. It also includes prophecies about the future of Israel and the messianic kingdom.
5. Epistle of Enoch (Chapters 91-108): This final section offers ethical teachings, warnings against wickedness, and promises of blessing for the righteous. It addresses challenges faced by both the wicked and the righteous and looks towards the final judgment and the coming of the Messiah.

Why Isn’t the Book of Enoch in the Bible?

Despite its captivating content and the revered figure of Enoch at its center, the Book of Enoch is not included in the standard biblical canon recognized by most Jewish and Christian traditions. Several key factors contribute to this exclusion:

• Lack of Apostolic Authority: A primary criterion for inclusion in the New Testament canon was apostolic authorship or close association with an apostle. The Book of Enoch, written centuries before Christ, clearly lacks this connection. For the Old Testament, while the criteria are different and more complex, a similar principle of authoritative origin and transmission within the community of faith applied. The Book of Enoch did not originate or gain acceptance within the mainstream Jewish tradition that produced the Hebrew Bible.
• Absence of Jesus’ or Old Testament Citations as Scripture: Neither Jesus nor the writers of the New Testament directly quote the Book of Enoch and introduce it as “Scripture,” unlike their frequent references to the Old Testament prophets and writings. While some scholars argue that Jude 14-15 alludes to 1 Enoch 1:9, this is a point of debate, and even if Jude was aware of the Enoch tradition, it doesn’t equate to him considering the entire book as divinely inspired Scripture. The Old Testament canon was already established by the time of Jesus, and the Book of Enoch was not part of it.
• Canonical Development and Recognition: The biblical canon didn’t emerge overnight. It was a process of recognition and discernment within the early church and Jewish communities. Texts considered to be divinely inspired, authoritative in teaching, and consistent with the established faith were gradually recognized as canonical. While the Book of Enoch was known and even respected by some early church fathers, it was never widely accepted as Scripture by the broader church. Early lists of canonical books, like the Muratorian Fragment, and the pronouncements of church councils did not include it.
• Content and Genre: While containing valuable insights and theological reflections, the Book of Enoch falls into the category of Pseudepigrapha – writings falsely attributed to biblical figures. This raises questions about its authority and reliability compared to texts with established prophetic or apostolic origins. Furthermore, its apocalyptic and visionary nature, while engaging, differed in genre and style from the core prophetic and historical books of the Old Testament and the Gospels and letters of the New Testament.

Jude and Enoch: A Closer Look

The passage in Jude 14-15 is often cited in discussions about the Book of Enoch and its relationship to the Bible. Jude writes:

“It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 14-15, ESV)

This prophecy attributed to Enoch bears a striking resemblance to 1 Enoch 1:9. However, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of this connection.

Some argue that Jude’s quotation proves that he considered the Book of Enoch to be Scripture. However, a more accurate understanding is that Jude is referencing a prophecy attributed to Enoch, a figure revered in Jewish tradition, similar to how Paul quotes pagan poets in Acts 17:28 without endorsing their entire works as Scripture. Jude acknowledges Enoch as a prophet, but this doesn’t automatically elevate the entire Book of Enoch to canonical status.

Furthermore, a close examination reveals differences between Jude 14-15 and 1 Enoch 1:9. For instance, Jude uses “thousands” (Greek myrias in plural, meaning innumerable) while some translations of Enoch use “ten million,” though both could be interpretations of the same underlying concept of a vast heavenly host. There are also textual variations in the descriptions of judgment. These differences suggest Jude is not directly quoting verbatim from a fixed text of 1 Enoch as we know it, but rather drawing upon a common tradition about Enoch’s prophecy.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is an exception, as it does include the Book of Enoch in its Old Testament canon. However, this is a minority position within Christianity and Judaism. The consensus across most Christian denominations and Jewish traditions is that the Book of Enoch, while historically and religiously significant, is not considered divinely inspired Scripture.

Conclusion

The Book of Enoch offers a fascinating glimpse into intertestamental Jewish thought, apocalyptic visions, and reflections on good and evil. It enriches our understanding of the context surrounding the New Testament and provides valuable insights into the development of certain theological concepts. However, its exclusion from the biblical canon is not due to its lack of merit, but rather to well-established criteria for canonicity related to apostolic authority, historical recognition, and consistent integration within the broader scriptural narrative. Therefore, while the Book of Enoch can be a rewarding read and a valuable resource for theological and historical study, it is not considered part of the authoritative Word of God within mainstream Christianity and Judaism.

References:

1. James H Charlesworth. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. Doubleday & Company. 1983. vol. 1, pp. 5-89.
2. Ibid. p. 93, 223.
3. Ibid. p. 7.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid., p. 13.
6. Balz and Schneider. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans Publishing. 1981. p. 446.
7. Text can be found at barnascha.narod.ru/books/1hanokhg.htm. However, note that the text has many typographical errors, maybe due to word processing.
8. Anke Wanger. The Biblical Canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church. Unpublished work. date unknown. p. 5.

Suggested Links:

How Accurate Is the Bible?
Should the Deuterocanon be included in the Holy Bible?
Is the book of Enoch inspired?
What Is The Bible?
What Is the Muratorian Fragment?
Did Jude copy from the book of Enoch?
Is Phanuel an angel? The Book of Enoch refers to the angel Phanuel.
Does Jude 9 quote the Assumption of Moses? — the Testament of Moses?
Did the Council of Nicaea reject the book of Enoch?