The Book of Enoch is an ancient book that dates back to around 300 BC. It speaks about the fallen angels, their leader Azazel and the nether world. However, this book was not included in the Bible, in some places it was marked ‘missing’. Many Christians and theologians are still debating whether this should be included or not during their sermons. What I will tell you is that there are some errors in the book that you need to know about. 

The Book of Enoch is the most controversial and most criticised book in the Bible. It has fascinated readers from its first translation, when the Ethiopian monk, Tiltinius translated it into Greek, and it has excited suspicion that this strange work was an early form of Christianity.

The book of Enoch is an apocryphal text but this does not mean that every passage of the book is incorrect. The only thing that is wrong with the Book of Enoch is a mere misinterpretation and misunderstanding of certain passages which are ascribed to it.

What Is Wrong with The Book of Enoch

The main reason for Jewish rejection of the book is that it is inconsistent with the teachings of the Torah. From the standpoint of Rabbinic Judaism, the book is considered to be heretical.

The Book of Enoch is apocalyptic in theme and discusses Enoch’s experiences with fallen angels, divine secrets, and the fate of the human soul after death. Its various religious messages reflect the mindset of society over several centuries, leading to doubts about its authenticity and authorship.

1. Contradiction with the teachings of the Torah

The main reason for Jewish rejection of the Book of Enoch is that it is inconsistent with the teachings of the Torah.

2. Considered heretical in Rabbinic Judaism

From the standpoint of Rabbinic Judaism, the book is considered to be heretical.

3. Apocalyptic themes

The Book of Enoch is apocalyptic in theme and discusses Enoch’s experiences with fallen angels, divine secrets, and the fate of the human soul after death.

4. Various religious messages

Its various religious messages reflect the mindset of society over several centuries.

5. Doubts about authenticity and authorship

The Book of Enoch’s content and history have led to doubts about its authenticity and authorship.

Why Stay Away from The Book of Enoch

The Book of Enoch is any of the several falsely attributed texts whose claimed authorship is attributed to Enoch, who was the great-grandfather of Noah (Genesis 5:18). Enoch is one of only two people (Elijah being the other) in the Word of God who was taken up to heaven without dying (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:25).

The book of Enoch is quoted in Jude 14-15. Jude’s quote is not the only quote in the Scripture that is from a non-biblical source as Titus 1:12 also quotes Epimenides. Quoting extra-biblical revelation does not mean we should give biblical authority to Enoch or Epimenides. It’s interesting to note that no biblical scholar believes the book of Enoch to be written by the Enoch of the Scriptures. Enoch was seven generations from Adam before the Flood (Genesis 5:1-24) and prophesied about the men before the Flood (Jude 1:14). Such a saying of Enoch was handed down by tradition and recorded in the book of Enoch.

In Genesis 5:21-24 we are told that Enoch walked with God. In my research I have found the book of Enoch. I have read it over and over and found it to be very moving and very inspiring. It was the very key to bring me back to our Lord and Savior. It is a blue print of all things past, present, and future from Genesis to the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) our Messiah, to the secret day of judgment. It is almost the whole Bible in one book. My question is, why isn’t this wonderful book in the Bible?

The book of Enoch is one of the Pseudepigrapha books and was apparently written during the second or first century before Jesus Christ. It should be noted that this book is usually regarded to be the Ethiopic Apocalypse of Enoch. There is also a Slavonic Apocalypse which is called the second book of Enoch that was written late in the first century A.D. There is a third book or Hebrew Apocalypse of Enoch which is believed to have been written in the fifth to sixth century A.D. However, the book that is referred as the book of Enoch is the first book which contains one hundred and eight chapters which comprise five sections that are often also called books. What follows is a description of the book of Enoch, a comparison of Enoch to the book of Jude, and the answer to the question, “Why is the book of Enoch not included in the Bible?”

The first book of Enoch has five sections. James H. Charlesworth outlines the book as follows:

1. Book of the Watchers (1-36)
2. Book of the Similitudes (37-71)
3. Book of the Astronomical Writings (72-82)
4. Book of the Dream Visions (83-90)
5. Book of the Epistle of Enoch (91-107)

Chapters 1-5 provide a short introduction of Enoch and speak to the major themes of rewards, punishment, the end of the world and final judgment. Book 1 includes chapters 6-36 and is primarily about angels, the Tree of Life, Jerusalem, and the universe. Book 2 includes chapters 37-71 and deals with the One, the Son of God, or the Messiah, resurrection, the flood, Noah, future judgment, and paradise. Book 3 includes chapters 72-82 which deal with the stars, moon, astronomy, the universe, and Enoch’s mission. Book IV includes chapters 83-90 which concern predictions about the flood, a historical sketch, the future of Israel, and the messianic kingdom. Book V includes chapters 91-105 that deal with various challenges for the wicked and righteous. The concluding chapters of 106-108 discuss the sin after the flood until the coming of the Messiah.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has recognized the book of Enoch as Scripture.[8] But the book of Enoch was never referred to by Jesus or any of the New Testament writers as Scripture, and the book was not included in the New Testament by the apostles. It is commonly misunderstood that the content of the Bible evolved over time. But the New Testament clearly tells us that the apostles were identifying Scripture as it was being written (2 Peter 3:14-16; cf. 1 Timothy 5:18 and Luke 10:7 ).

The New Testament books were being distributed by the apostles to the various churches to be read (Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 3:14). By the time the apostles died, the New Testament had been written and its books were known. The Muratorian Fragment and several of the early fathers have left us a list of books that were identified as belonging to the New Testament. The book of Enoch was never included in the Roman Catholic or Protestant Bibles. Some books were challenged later but never with success.

10 Facts About the Book of Enoch

The Book of Enoch contains unique material on the origins of demons and Nephilim, why some angels fell from heaven, an explanation of why the Genesis flood was morally necessary, and a prophetic exposition of the thousand-year reign of the Messiah.

1. Origins

The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish religious work, traditionally ascribed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. It is considered to be part of the apocalyptic literature of Second Temple Judaism.

2. Content

The Book of Enoch is composed of several different works, the most notable being the Book of the Watchers, the Book of Parables, and the Vision of Enoch. These texts cover a wide range of topics, including cosmology, angelology, demonology, and eschatology.

3. Authorship

While the Book of Enoch is traditionally attributed to Enoch, scholars believe that it was actually written by multiple authors over a period of several centuries. The earliest sections are believed to date back to the 3rd century BCE, while the latest sections were likely composed in the 1st century CE.

4. Influence

The Book of Enoch had a significant influence on early Christian theology and apocalyptic literature. It is referenced in the New Testament Epistle of Jude, and some early Christian writers, such as Tertullian and Origen, considered it to be inspired scripture.

5. Themes

Some of the key themes of the Book of Enoch include the fallen angels, the coming of the Messiah, the final judgment, and the resurrection of the dead. These themes reflect the apocalyptic worldview of the Jewish community during the Second Temple period.

6. Manuscripts

Several manuscripts of the Book of Enoch have been discovered, the most famous of which is the Ethiopian Enoch, which is also known as 1 Enoch. This version contains the most complete text of the book and is considered canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

7. Popularity

The Book of Enoch has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, due in part to its mention in popular culture and its association with ancient mysteries and forbidden knowledge. Many people are drawn to its enigmatic teachings and apocalyptic visions.

8. Reception

The Book of Enoch has been a source of controversy throughout history, with some early Christian leaders rejecting it as non-canonical and heretical. However, others have found inspiration and spiritual insight in its pages, leading to its continued influence in certain Christian traditions.

9. Translation

The Book of Enoch has been translated into numerous languages, including English, French, German, and Russian. These translations have made the text more accessible to a wider audience and have helped to spread its influence beyond the academic world.

10. Legacy

Despite its disputed origins and controversial content, the Book of Enoch remains an important and influential work in the history of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature. It continues to spark debate and discussion among scholars and believers alike.