The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch) is not a single work from one time but a collection of writings composed over several centuries, with the oldest sections dating to around 300–200 BC and the latest (the Book of Parables) to about 100 BC. Some scholars push the earliest material back to the 4th or even 3rd century BC, while others see parts as late as the 1st century AD. The book was not written by the biblical Enoch, who lived much earlier, but is a pseudepigraphal text attributed to him.
What Is the Book of Enoch?
The Book of Enoch, also known as 1 Enoch, is an ancient Jewish apocalyptic religious text. It is traditionally ascribed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, but modern scholars agree it was written long after his time. The book contains unique material on the origins of demons and Nephilim, the fall of angels, and a prophetic exposition of the thousand-year reign of the Messiah. It is not considered canonical by most Jewish or Christian traditions, but it is part of the biblical canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The complete text survives only in Ge'ez, the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia, though fragments in Aramaic were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Our breakdown of How Many Books Has Freida McFadden Written covers the related details.
Dating the Book of Enoch: A Composite Work
Scholars widely agree that 1 Enoch is a composite work, made up of five major sections that were originally independent writings. These sections were composed at different times and later redacted into a single book. The five sections are:
- The Book of the Watchers (chapters 1–36)
- The Book of Parables (or Similitudes) (chapters 37–71)
- The Astronomical Book (chapters 72–82)
- The Book of Dream Visions (chapters 83–90)
- The Epistle of Enoch (chapters 91–108)
Each section has its own dating range, and the overall composition spans roughly from the 4th century BC to the 1st century BC, with some possible later additions.
The Book of the Watchers (Chapters 1–36)
This section describes the fall of the Watchers, angels who fathered the Nephilim, and Enoch's heavenly journeys. It is generally dated to the 4th or 3rd century BC. According to Wikipedia, "The older sections of 1 Enoch are estimated to date to c. 300–200 BC." This aligns with the scholarly consensus that the Book of the Watchers is among the earliest parts of 1 Enoch.
The Book of Parables (Chapters 37–71)
The Book of Parables, also called the Similitudes, introduces the "Son of Man" figure and focuses on final judgment. It is considered the latest section, probably composed around 100 BC. Some scholars argue for a date as late as the 1st century AD, but the majority place it in the 1st century BC. This section is absent from the Dead Sea Scrolls, which has led to debates about its original inclusion in the Enochic corpus.
The Astronomical Book (Chapters 72–82)
This section deals with the movements of the sun, moon, and stars and promotes a 364-day calendar. It is thought to be among the earliest parts, possibly dating to the 3rd century BC or even earlier. Fragments of an older version were found at Qumran, suggesting it may have existed in a different form before being incorporated into 1 Enoch.
The Book of Dream Visions (Chapters 83–90)
This section includes the Animal Apocalypse, an allegorical history of Israel. It is usually dated to the Maccabean period, around 165–160 BC, because it refers to events up to the Maccabean revolt.
The Epistle of Enoch (Chapters 91–108)
This final section contains ethical exhortations and the Apocalypse of Weeks. The Apocalypse of Weeks is often considered one of the oldest parts, possibly dating to the 3rd century BC, while the rest of the Epistle may be later.
Evidence for the Dating of 1 Enoch
Several lines of evidence help scholars date the Book of Enoch:
- Manuscript evidence: Fragments of 1 Enoch were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran, dating from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD. These fragments include portions of the Book of the Watchers, the Astronomical Book, and the Epistle of Enoch, but not the Book of Parables. This suggests that the Book of Parables may have been composed later or was not part of the Qumran community's collection.
- Historical references: The Animal Apocalypse in the Book of Dream Visions alludes to the Maccabean revolt (167–160 BC), providing a terminus post quem for that section.
- Language and style: The original language of 1 Enoch was Aramaic (and possibly Hebrew), which was common in Jewish literature from the 3rd century BC onward. The use of Aramaic supports a date after the Babylonian exile.
- Quotations and allusions: The Epistle of Jude in the New Testament quotes 1 Enoch 1:9, indicating that the book was known and respected in the 1st century AD. This sets a latest possible date for at least that portion.
According to Bart Ehrman's website, the Book of Enoch was composed over "a span of roughly five centuries," from the late 6th century BC until the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. However, this is a broader range than most scholars accept; the consensus is that the main sections were written between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century BC.
Why the Book of Enoch Is Not in the Bible
The Book of Enoch is not part of the Jewish Tanakh or most Christian Bibles. Several reasons are given by scholars and theologians:
- Pseudepigraphy: The book claims to be written by Enoch, but it was actually composed centuries after his lifetime. This false authorship was a major factor in its exclusion from the canon. As FBC Wortham notes, "False authorship alone disqualifies it from being included in the canon of scripture."
- Theological concerns: Some of its teachings, such as elaborate angelology and the idea of angels intermarrying with humans, were seen as problematic by later rabbis and church fathers.
- Canonical history: The book was never included in the Hebrew Bible or the Greek Septuagint. Although some early church fathers quoted it, it was not universally accepted, and by the 4th century it was largely excluded from the canon. The Genesis Marks the Spot article explains that "1 Enoch wasn’t part of the Jewish Scriptures—the Tanakh—and wasn’t even included in any version of the Greek Septuagint."
Despite its non-canonical status, the Book of Enoch is valuable for understanding the religious and cultural context of Second Temple Judaism and the background of early Christianity.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Book of Enoch's Age
Is the Book of Enoch older than Genesis?
No, the Book of Enoch is not older than Genesis. Genesis is traditionally dated to the 6th–5th century BC (or earlier for some oral traditions), while the earliest parts of 1 Enoch date to the 3rd century BC. However, 1 Enoch expands on themes from Genesis, particularly the story of the Nephilim in Genesis 6:1–4.
Why stay away from the Book of Enoch?
Some Christians advise caution with the Book of Enoch because it is not inspired Scripture and contains teachings that conflict with the Bible. However, many scholars and readers find it valuable for historical and literary study. It is important to read it with discernment and not treat it as authoritative.
What angel did Enoch turn into?
The Book of Enoch does not say that Enoch turned into an angel. In some later Jewish traditions, Enoch is identified with the angel Metatron, but this is not found in 1 Enoch itself. In 1 Enoch, Enoch is a human who is taken up to heaven and given revelations.
What is the oldest book to ever exist?
The oldest known written texts are Sumerian cuneiform tablets from around 3200 BC, such as the Kish tablet. The oldest surviving religious texts include the Pyramid Texts of ancient Egypt (c. 2400–2300 BC). The Book of Enoch is much later, dating to the last few centuries BC.
Conclusion
The Book of Enoch is a fascinating collection of ancient Jewish writings that spans several centuries. Its oldest sections date to around 300–200 BC, and the latest to about 100 BC. While it is not part of most biblical canons, it remains an important text for understanding the development of Jewish and Christian thought in the Second Temple period.
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