Definition of Book of Enoch

In Christianity there are different doctrinal interpretations, such as the Catholicism, the Orthodox Church or Protestantism in its different versions. One of the differences between the different branches is related to the inclusion of the sacred books that make up the official canon of each Christian church.

The book of Enoch is a text which belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Bible. It was written in a language Semitic, the Ge'ez language, which is currently only used in the context of the liturgy.

On the other hand, it is a book that bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments. Likewise, it was a highly valued book among the early Christians.

The content of the book

Throughout the 108 chapters that make up the book of Enoch, very diverse topics are addressed: who will be chosen pure or impious after the final judgment, a description of paradise, the role of the saints in heaven or God's warnings to men to combat earthly corruption. Likewise, Enoch's trip to heaven and the punishments that those who sow evil on Earth will receive are narrated.

Curious characters appear in the book. Among them, the nephilim stand out, a kind of traitorous angels, since they abandoned God and became evil beings with the purpose of perverting men. Two giants with bright eyes are also mentioned who went to visit Enoch to take him to heaven.

The curious references that appear in this book have fed the thesis of some researchers who relate the sacred texts of antiquity with the presence of extraterrestrials in the universe.

Who was Enoch?

The first reference to this character is found in the Old Testament book of Genesis. He is a prophet who, according to Moses, lived in the period before the universal flood.

From the point of view of biblical genealogy there are several versions of this character. In one of them it is stated that he was the firstborn of Cain, in another that he was one of the sons of Jared and in a third it is said that his grandfather was Abraham. He is also considered to be the father of Methuselah and the great-grandfather of Noah.

Regardless of questions of genealogy, Enoch shared his life with God and lived for more than 300 years. Before the end of his days God took him up to heaven in a majestic chariot of fire.

In the tradition Christian speaks of him as "the man who did not die." During his long life he had the opportunity to learn the great secrets revealed by the Creator.

Fotolia photos: hansenn / indigolotos