The book of Enoch (also known as 1 Enoch) is neither in the Catholic nor the protestant Bible. In fact, it’s not part of most biblical canons including Jewish ones (with the exception of some Ethiopian canons).
In this post, we explain what the book of Enoch is all about, why it was left out of the Bible and whether it’s a wise thing to read it.
What You'll Learn Today
Who Wrote The Book Of Enoch?
The authorship of Enoch is traditionally attributed to Enoch, the seventh pre-flood patriarch in the Bible.
Enoch is the great grandfather to Noah. The Bible is cryptic about Enoch. It’s clear he was special in some way, but the book of Genesis doesn’t say much beyond the following:
Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
Enoch is the first of the only two people in the Bible not to die. The other is Elijah, who was taken up to heaven in a chariot.
Interestingly, most scholars don’t believe that the Book of Enoch was written by Enoch himself. In fact, it’s just one of the many writings falsely attributed to Enoch.
One interesting thing to note is that for it to have been written by Enoch, it would have had to survive the great flood.
What Is The Book Of Enoch About?
The Book of Enoch is apocalyptic in that it contains visions and revelations about the end of times.
1 Enoch consists of five parts, called books. These books talk about the fall of angels, how the Nephilim (referred to as giants in the Bible) came about, why the great flood had to happen, some astronomy and many other prophecies.
Overall, the main theme in the Book of Enoch is judgment for the wicked and blessings for the righteous.
Why Is The Book Of Enoch Not In The Bible?
You will not find the book of Enoch in most Christian and Jewish biblical canons. Some people assume it’s a part of the Catholic deuterocanonical books, but it’s not.
It’s not like the book was not well known. From discovered scroll fragments, it’s clear that many Jews and even some early Christians were well aware of it.
It’s even quoted in other religious texts, including in the Bible in the book of Jude.
Jude 1:14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones..”
Note: Interestingly, the book of Enoch itself may have copied this quote from Deuteronomy 33:2.
So why isn’t the book of Enoch part of the Bible?
The very early christians actually accepted 1 Enoch as part of the Bible. Many influential church theologians including Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria and Athenagoras regarded it as sacred scripture.
But it soon fell out of favor and was excluded from Christian canon.
Its exclusion is as a result of growing controversies over some of its apocalyptic content. It also doesn’t help that the book had already been rejected from the Hebrew Bible.
There were also issues with the pseudepigraphal nature of the book. This means that writers of the book of Enoch falsely attributed the writings to well known patriarchs and prophets to give their books more authority.
Other religious writings of this nature that were rejected from Biblical canon include the Testament of Solomon, the Book of Jubilees and the Epistle of Barnabas.
But the most important reason why the book of Enoch is not in the Bible is that it’s not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Jude quoting 1 Enoch doesn’t make it inspired.
Should You Read The Book Of Enoch?
There’s nothing wrong with reading the Book of Enoch. It’s not a sin. Like other apocryphal writings, it does contain some truthful and important writings.
But read it with wisdom and with the leading of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that 1 Enoch is neither inspired nor 100% reliable.
So don’t take anything in it as the infallible word of God. Read it as you would a novel or an interesting piece of literature.
You can also read it out of theological curiosity and see how it compares to other books of the Bible.
One thing to note is that the book of Enoch can be a difficult one to read. It’s heavy on mystery and symbolism.
It’s a bit like the book of Revelation. So you may want to take your time and seek additional commentaries on it from various sources.
I watched Dr. Taylor Marshall on YouTube video that mentioned Enoch. I am confused about it. Because I never heard of it. So, I want to stay away from Enoch.
Thank you so much for sharing that Kenya
I am Catholic convert and my husband who has been Catholic all his life said in reading this book you open yourself to evil. He told me to never read it.
I am a little bit unsure about Enoch. If Enoch was taken up by God as Elijah was, why is Enoch testimony not considered valid? I believe, and please correct me if I am wrong (according to scriptures), that if Enoch was not a true prophet of God that God would not have valued him enough to save him from death and take him up into heaven as he did Elijah, who was valued as a true prophet of God. In my understanding, that would be the only reason why Enoch did not die. I just need a deeper understanding in this area before I choose to read the books of Enoch found with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Thank you.
My problem is that angels cannot procreate as male or female. So to think they could mate with humans is a lie. I believe like most that the sons of God were those who represented each planet, for example, Adam was a representative, and in Job, many came to meet in Heaven and Satan came saying he had the right because he usurped Adam and became the representative. Also, the lineage of Seth were followers of God and the children of men were followers of Cain and his tribes. God has always warned Israel to stay away from wicked pagans and they saw the eyes of the women and lusted after them. Adam was considered a giant because he was perfect and was approximately 15 feet tall. So most of the people were taller than today. The translation as giants was “heroes of old, men of renown” and although the DNA was still possible to have tall men then we have become smaller.
Where you found all this information let us know.
He must be a Jehovah Witness. They changed the Bible to suit their beliefs.
Greg, Where did you find Adam was approx 15 feet tall?
And we trust our modern medical discription of DNA… or full molecular counter fit? It’s invironmental vs. heredity, which is greater? We trust to much in the worldly Pharmakaei lies of flesh control, because it is our Adamic failure, the death curse of flesh.
In your post, you indicated definitively that the book of Enoch was not divinely inspired. I am curious, do you have some subscription to the heavenlies’ list of inspired writings? I am not being snide, it seems to me that a bunch of theologians debated (for centuries at times) as to what was divinely inspired and what was not. Politics definitely came into play during these times in the church. So, what is your source data for this claim? Be sure, I have no opinion as to its inspiration, but would love to know how you know this in order to make such a concrete-sounding claim.
Robbie, I have the same question. That claim is a bold one!
Hi there! I believe you should have included in your article Heb 11:5, which also speaks of Enoch:
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and “he was found no more because God had taken him.” Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
This verse in Hebrews brings clarity to and reinforces the Gen 5:24 verse.
There are other allusions to Enoch in the NT, such as when Jesus mentions it would be “better to not be born” about Judas (in Matt and Mark), this phrase is found in Enoch.
And 1 Peter 3:19-20 and Jude 1:6-7 seem to align well with the stories in 1 Enoch about the fallen angels being punished for sleeping with humankind.
And fragments of Enoch were found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, which does not make the book canon, but that is interesting considering the same Dead Sea Scrolls do not have fragments of Esther (which is canon).
Judgement is never easy for the adversary to accept, especially if the judgment comes directly from God. Singling out specific entities reveals who they are and what they did is frightening. My thoughts on the exclusion of Enoch from the Bible (including the Jewish Scriptures), centers around my first thoughts and the powers that were given to those who controlled the Church at that time, that being the very rich politically and responsible for controlling the beliefs and economies of society at the time.
Same lol
Interestingly, the Book of Enoch was known as far back as first century BC, when they found parts of it quoted, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, etc., and is quoted by Jude 1:14-15. In the councils 170 to 397 AD (when presumably descendants of the early church had oral tradition of Christian and Judea teachings), the Christian Canon was chosen, the Catholic Canon being finalized in 1545. They prayed, looked for inconsistencies, and accepted writings that had been used since the early church. If we are talking about writings inspired by the Holy Spirit, as followers of Christ, born-again by the Holy Spirit, one would think that we could read something and discern if there is any merit in some of the writings. I mean, we have to do that every Sunday when we listen to Pastors. Take the part given by the Holy Spirit, disregard the rest.
Except that it was Christ Who appointed the apostles, and established the church. Like He said to the Pharisees, we must now ask, “on Whose Authority is the church established, God’s or man’s? ”
Argue the human flaws all you want, starting with Peter himself, who denied Him, and was clearly not perfect. Yet Christ nevertheless entruted the leadership to him. Ots not about human perfection. That makes it impossible! Even John the Baptist wanted to reverse the order, He knew it was he who was imperfect, not Jesus, Who NEVERTHELESS honored the Father’s order by respecting the one He had appointed to the ministry of baptism. And look what happened! THAT is when the Father showed His approval, and the Spirit manifested.
Aint never gonna find a “perfect” church. But there is one established by Christ and He said to them, ” as the Father sent Me, so now I’m sending you..” He has never revoked that choice. But men have rejected the authority of the Father, in rejecting His established church. Of course there will be flawed, even evil men in it. Just like Judas. Doesnt mean we quit following! We must hold it up to the light, yes, but with grace and humility, not pride, like the Pharisees.
Humility honors the Father’s will, as Christ exemplified. That’s where the fullness of blessings are hidden.
Judge not, and you will not be judged. Who are we to put ourselves above the gift of the church, imperfect as it has been, ever since John the Baptist. Its still His. That’s good enough for me. After all, “to whom would we go?”