Understanding the Book of Enoch and the Apocrypha

The Book of Enoch is not a canonical book of the Bible, though it is explicitly quoted by the apostle Jude Jude 14-15LTJMBA 3.2. This ancient work originates from Palestine and its oldest sections date back to between 150 and 130 B.C.LTJMB1 43.2.

Biblical Mention and Quotation

While the book itself is not part of the standard Jewish or Protestant canon, it was well-known to New Testament writersHBS 14.1.

• St. Jude's Quotation: The book of Jude contains a direct reference to a prophecy by Enoch, the seventh from Adam, regarding the Lord coming with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment Jude 14-15CET 238.1+1.

• Apostolic Awareness: The Epistle of Jude contains at least one certain reference and another probable reference to such apocalyptic works, which were part of the Messianic outlook of that timeLTJMB2 176.2.

• Historical Context: Some believe that inspired writers who were not part of the final canon, such as Nathan, Iddo, and Ahijah, also wrote books that provided light for their generationGP 74.5+1.

Origins and Composition

The Book of Enoch is a complex collection of writings that emerged in the centuries before ChristLTJMBA 3.2+1.

• Geographic Origin: It comes from Palestine and was originally written in a Semitic language before being translated into GreekLTJMB1 43.2+1.

• Structure: The work consists of 108 chapters divided into five distinct parts and an epilogueLTJMBA 3.2+1.

• Authorship: It is considered a pseudepigraphical writing, meaning it was ascribed to the patriarch Enoch to give the text greater authority and weightLTJMB1 43.2+1.

• Themes: The book describes the fall of the angels, Enoch's journeys through heaven and earth, and apocalyptic visions concerning the kingdom of the Messiah and the final judgmentLTJMB1 43.2+1.

Canonization and Status

Despite its popularity in early Jewish circles, it was eventually excluded from the BibleHBS 14.1.

• Rejection from Canon: The book was not admitted into the canon of Scripture during the first four centuries of the Christian churchHBS 14.1.

• Jewish Views: Many Jewish leaders preferred the clear letter of the Mosaic Law over the highly poetic and sometimes mysterious language found in apocalyptic literatureLTJMB5 41.1+1.

• Preservation: While much of this literature perished over time, the Book of Enoch remains an important historical monument for understanding the hopes and doctrines, such as the resurrection and the Messiah, that were prominent in the era before ChristLTJMB1 43.2+1.

It is a beautiful truth that while the book of Enoch is not canonical, the character of Enoch himself serves as an eternal example of one who walked with God and was translated to heaven without seeing death Hebrews 11:5PTUK February 15, 1894, page 104.5+1.

The fourteen books that were excluded from the original Protestant canon, though often found in early versions of the King James Bible, are collectively known as the Old Testament ApocryphaETI Apocrypha.3+1. These writings were produced during the era between the Testaments and, while historically significant, were not admitted into the sacred canon during the first four centuries of the Christian churchHBS 14.1.

The Fourteen Apocryphal Books

The collection traditionally includes the following worksHBS 14.1+2:

1. 1 EsdrasSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

2. 2 EsdrasSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

3. TobitSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

4. JudithSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

5. Additions to the Book of Esther (The rest of the chapters of Esther)SBD Apocrypha.3+1.

6. Wisdom of SolomonSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

7. Ecclesiasticus (The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach)SBD Apocrypha.3+2.

8. BaruchSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

9. Song of the Three Holy Children (Song of Three Jews)SBD Apocrypha.3+1.

10. History of SusannaSBD Apocrypha.3+1.

11. Bel and the DragonSBD Apocrypha.3+1.

12. Prayer of ManassehSBD Apocrypha.3+1.

13. 1 MaccabeesSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

14. 2 MaccabeesSBD Apocrypha.3+2.

Authorship and Historical Context

Determining the exact authors of these books is often complex, as many are considered pseudepigraphical, meaning they were ascribed to famous historical figures to add authority to the writingsHBS 14.1.

• Ecclesiasticus: This book is attributed to Jesus the Son of Sirach, who wrote it in Hebrew before his grandson translated it into Greek in Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy III EuergetesLTJMB1 29.1.

• 1 and 2 Maccabees: These historical accounts of the Jewish war of independence were written by different individuals; for instance, the author of 3 Maccabees (which is sometimes included in Greek versions) was likely an Alexandrian JewETI Maccabees, Books of the.2.

• Judith: It is uncertain if this is a literal history or a historic romance, but it details the heroic actions of Judith, who delivered her nation by slaying an enemy leaderCIS 296.4.

• Wisdom of Solomon: Though bearing Solomon's name, this was a later production intended to provide understanding of the Jewish problem in the day it was writtenHBS 14.1.

Reason for Exclusion

The primary reason these books were not included in the final canonical standard is that they were never part of the original Jewish canon recognized by Christ and His apostlesETI Apocrypha.3+1. While the New Testament writers frequently quoted from the Greek Septuagint, they did not once quote from the Apocrypha as inspired ScriptureETI Apocrypha.3. Furthermore, early church fathers such as Melito of Sardis, Origen, Jerome, and Athanasius excluded these books from their lists of inspired writingsHBS 14.1. By the time of the Protestant Reformation, the biblical canon was limited to its current dimensions to ensure the standard of faith remained based solely on the word of GodGP 74.5+1.

The Lord in His mercy has provided the canonical Scriptures as our definitive guidebook to explain the plan of salvation and point out the way to heaven20MR 352.2+1. Although these other books contain historical insights, the Bible remains the standard book by which everything else must be measured15MR 66.5+1.