The Gospel of Enoch and Its Omission from Scripture
The "Gospel of Enoch" refers to the apocryphal book of Enoch, a work known from an early date but lost to Western scholarship until 1773, when James Bruce brought three complete Ethiopic manuscripts back from Egypt [1]. This book is a collection of revelations attributed to Enoch and Noah, covering various aspects of life and nature, intended to vindicate divine providence [1].
Enoch himself is a figure mentioned briefly in the book of Genesis: "Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24) [4]. This phrase, "walked with God," is understood in Eastern contexts to signify constant and familiar interaction with God [9]. The New Testament epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this, stating that "By faith Enoch was translated" (Hebrews 11:4), meaning he was taken from earth to heaven without experiencing death [5]. John Calvin notes that Enoch's translation, like Elijah's, served as an example of immortality, intended to provide comfort and faith to believers regarding a life beyond death [6].
The Book of Enoch is cited in the New Testament epistle of Jude, which states, "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him'" (Jude 1:14-15). While Jude quotes from the Book of Enoch, scholars like Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown suggest that both Jude and the Book of Enoch might have drawn from a common tradition [8]. The Holy Spirit, through Jude, affirmed the truth of this specific prophecy, even if the book itself is not considered canonical scripture [8].
Despite this quotation in Jude, the Book of Enoch is not included in the biblical canon. The process of canonization involved recognizing books that were divinely inspired and authoritative for faith and practice. While some apocryphal books were known and even quoted by early Christian writers, this did not automatically grant them canonical status. For instance, the apostle Paul quotes from pagan poets (Acts 17:28), and other biblical authors refer to non-canonical works or historical records, such as the "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel" (1 Kings 16:14) [2, 3]. John Gill, commenting on 1 Corinthians 2:8, notes that while some have suggested certain biblical passages refer to apocryphal books like the "Apocalypse of Elijah," the references are often to canonical texts like Isaiah [7]. Similarly, Gill observes that "signs" mentioned in Psalms 74:8 refer to established ordinances of divine worship rather than extra-biblical miracles [10]. The use of a text by a biblical author does not necessarily endorse the entire work as scripture, but rather affirms the truth of the specific statement being cited.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Enoch, The Book Of — The first trance of the existence of this work is found in the Epistle of (Jude 1:14,15) An apocryphal book called Enoch was known at a very early date, but was lost sight of until 1773, when Bruce brought with him on his return from Egypt three MSS. containing the complete Ethiopic translation. In its present shape the book consists of a series of revelations supposed to have been given to Enoch and Noah, which extend to the most varied aspects of nature and life. And are designed to offer a comprehensive vindication of the action of Providence. ”
- 1 Kings “1 Kings 16:14 (NASB) — Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?”
- I Kings “I Kings 16:14 (Geneva1599) — And the rest of the actes of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?”
- Genesis “Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him. -- Genesis 5:24”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 11:4: By faith Enoch was translated,.... Which is to be understood, not of a spiritual translation from the power of darkness, into the kingdom of Christ, as all converted, persons are translated, and doubtless Enoch was; nor of a rapture, or removal from one part of the earth to another, or from one part of a country to another, as Philip was caught away by the Spirit, after the baptism of the eunuch; but of a translation from earth to heaven; and not for a while only, as Paul was caught up to the third heaven; but as Elijah was, there to continue, and as the living saint”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 9.8: him away, as we read was also done with respect to Elijah. Since, in the translation of Enoch, an example of immortality was exhibited; there is no doubt that God designed to elevate the minds of his saints with certain faith before their death; and to mitigate, by this consolation, the dread which they might entertain of death, seeing they would know that a better life was elsewhere laid up for them. It is, however, remarkable that Adam himself was deprived of this support of faith and of comfort. For since that terrible judgment ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 2:8: But as it is written,.... Not in an apocryphal book, called the Apocalypse of Elijah the prophet, as some have thought, but in Isa 64:4 with some variation; and is brought to prove that the Gospel is mysterious and hidden wisdom, unknown to the princes of this world, and ordained before the world was, for the glory of the saints: for the following words are not to be understood of the glories and happiness of the future state; though they are indeed invisible, unheard of, and inconceivable as to the excellency and fulness of them, and are what God has prepared f”
- Jude (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jude 1:14: See Introduction on the source whence Jude derived this prophecy of Enoch. The Holy Spirit, by Jude, has sealed the truth of this much of the matter contained in the book of Enoch, though probably that book, as well as Jude, derived it from tradition (compare Note, see on Jde 1:9). There are reasons given by some for thinking the book of Enoch copied from Jude rather than vice versa. It is striking how, from the first, prophecy hastened towards its consummation. The earliest prophecies of the Redeemer dwell on His second coming in glory, rather than His ”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 5:24: And Enoch walked with God--a common phrase in Eastern countries denoting constant and familiar intercourse. was not; for God took him--In Heb 11:5, we are informed that he was translated to heaven--a mighty miracle, designed to effect what ordinary means of instruction had failed to accomplish, gave a palpable proof to an age of almost universal unbelief that the doctrines which he had taught (Jde 1:14-15) were true and that his devotedness to the cause of God and righteousness in the midst of opposition was highly pleasing to the mind of God.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 74:8: We see not our signs,.... Either such miracles as were formerly wrought to support the faith of God's people in distress, and for their deliverance out of it, as when they were in Egypt, and brought forth from thence; see Psa 78:43 or rather their sabbaths and sacrifices, the passover and circumcision, and other ordinances and institutions of divine worship; which were signs of the presence of God with them, and of Christ, and blessings of grace, and good things to come by him; which ceased, or were interrupted in their captivity, and which the godly lament: or the si”