Interesting Facts

• Enoch was the first among men born on earth who learned writing, knowledge, and wisdom.
• He wrote down the signs of heaven according to the order of their months in a book, so that men might know the seasons.
• He was the first to write a testimony and recounted the weeks of the jubilees, making known the days of the years and the order of the months and Sabbaths.
• Enoch wisely retired from the sons of men and secreted himself from them for many days.
• He reigned over the sons of men according to the word of the Lord, and all who desired to know the ways of the Lord came to him.

Genealogy

• Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalaleel. Mahalaleel was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Enos. Enos was the son of Seth, the son of Adam.
• He was born in the fifth week, in the fourth year of the eleventh jubilee [522 A.M.]. Genesis states he was born when Jared was 162 years old. Jasher and Jubilees both state he was born when Jared was 62 years old.
• Enoch married Edna, the daughter of Danel, the daughter of his father’s brother. This occurred in the seventh week of the twelfth jubilee [582-588 A.M.], specifically in the sixth year of that week [587 A.M.].
• He begat Methuselah.

Historical Context

Enoch’s life unfolded in a period marked by significant events, most notably the descent of the Watchers and their transgression with the daughters of men. This event, which occurred in the days of Jared, Enoch’s father, led to the birth of the Nephilim and the spread of lawlessness and corruption across the earth. The Watchers taught forbidden knowledge to mankind, including the arts of warfare, metallurgy, enchantments, astrology, and other secrets. The earth became filled with violence, blood, and unrighteousness. During this time, Enoch distinguished himself by walking with God. Later in his life, after a period of seclusion, he was called by the Lord to go forth and teach the sons of men the ways of righteousness. He reigned over the sons of men, teaching them wisdom and knowledge, and peace prevailed during his reign. This period also saw the rise of kings and princes who sought Enoch’s guidance. The overall context was one of increasing divine displeasure with the wickedness on earth, which would eventually lead to the pronouncements of judgment.

Narrative

The narrative of Enoch’s life begins with his birth in the lineage of Seth. He was noted as the first to learn writing and possess profound wisdom, documenting heavenly signs and the order of time. Early in his life, Enoch wisely chose to separate himself from the prevalent wickedness of mankind, dedicating himself to the instruction of the Lord. However, after many years of serving God in seclusion, an angel of the Lord called him forth to teach the sons of men the way they should go. Enoch heeded this call, assembled the people, and taught them the instruction of the Lord. He reigned over them, and they bowed before him, seeking his wisdom. The spirit of God was upon Enoch, and he brought peace and righteousness to the earth during his rule. Enoch also had a unique relationship with the angelic realm, spending time with the angels of God who showed him everything on earth and in the heavens. He was called to testify against the Watchers who had sinned with the daughters of men, declaring the judgment that would befall them. He recounted visions of judgment and delivered the Lord’s pronouncements against the fallen angels. Eventually, Enoch was taken from amongst the children of men and conducted into the Garden of Eden in majesty and honor. Later, in the year of Adam’s death, after 243 years of his reign, Enoch resolved to separate himself again, maintaining a pattern of seclusion and teaching. Ultimately, an angel of the Lord called him to ascend to heaven to reign over the sons of God, just as he had reigned over the sons of men. After imparting final instructions and establishing peace, Enoch ascended into heaven in a whirlwind with horses and chariots of fire. It is said he was translated into heaven and saw the holy sons of God and the Lord of Spirits. His name was raised aloft, and he was set among the elect and righteous. Before his ascension, he gave the garments of skin that had been passed down from Adam to Methuselah. His earthly life spanned 365 years before God took him.