The Book of Enoch is an ancient text that is traditionally attributed to the biblical figure Enoch. It is divided into five sections and contains a mixture of apocalyptic and mystical writings. It describes in detail Enoch's journey through the heavens, his visions of the future, and his encounters with various angels and heavenly beings. The book also contains prophecies of judgment, descriptions of the coming of a messianic figure, and teachings on moral and ethical behavior.
One of the most Influential non-canonical Biblical books presented now in this Collector's Edition prepared from the R.H. Charles translation of The Book of Enoch with reworked verse numbers (Usually at sentence beginnings) for a more uniform pattern and more fluent reading experience.
Recognized for its cultural significance, this work contributes to the foundational knowledge of civilization. It has been chosen by scholars for its importance, reflecting key themes and insights that shape our understanding of history and society.
As an ancient Jewish religious work attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, this text dates back to approximately 300 BC and significantly influenced the authors of the New Testament. Quoted in the Epistle of Jude, it was also valued by the community behind the Dead Sea Scrolls. While some churches include it in their canon, others regard it as non-canonical yet historically and theologically important. This work serves as a vital resource for researchers and students exploring the cultural and historical context of early Christianity.
Volume One: The Apocrypha
Focusing on the Apocrypha, this volume presents a collection of texts from the Second Temple period that are not part of the biblical canon but are recognized by the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. This reprint of the 1913 edition is a full facsimile, preserving the original format rather than using Optical Recognition software. Volume Two, covering the Pseudepigrapha, will be available separately. This work offers insight into significant religious writings that shaped early Judeo-Christian thought.
An excerpt from the INTRODUCTION - General Character of the Book: This work presents the final words of each of the twelve patriarchs to their sons, inspired by Jacob's last words in Genesis 49. Each patriarch reflects on his character and prophesies the fate of his descendants in the last days, giving the text a prophetic-apocalyptic tone. Six testaments—those of Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Dan, Naphthali, and Joseph—show a notable alignment with Genesis 49 regarding the patriarchs' traits, while the other six do not. Each testament generally consists of three parts: (a) An autobiographical sketch detailing the patriarch's defining vice or virtue, often enhanced by haggadic embellishments; (b) A warning against the identified sin or an exhortation to embrace the specific virtue; (c) A prophecy about the patriarch's descendants, typically predicting their eventual downfall and misfortune, often manifested as captivity among Gentiles. Additionally, some testaments include unique sections unrelated to these main themes, such as visions and hymns, which are intriguing and merit further exploration. The original language of the text was likely Hebrew, though the earliest known version is a Greek translation.
The book presents a significantly revised and enhanced version compared to its first edition, featuring updated translation and commentary. This new work offers a deeper exploration and understanding, making it a substantial advancement over the original, catering to both new readers and those familiar with the earlier version.