The name Enoch appears more than once in the Bible. The first Enoch is found in Genesis 4, where he is listed as the son of Cain. After Cain killed his brother Abel, he later had a son and named him Enoch, even building a city that carried his son’s name.
The second Enoch is the one most remembered in Scripture. Genesis 5 records him as the son of Jared, a descendant of Adam through Seth’s line. This Enoch was born several generations after Adam and is described as a man who “walked with God.”
Enoch’s Walk With God
When Enoch was 65, he fathered Methuselah, who would later live longer than anyone else in the biblical record—969 years. After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch is said to have walked closely with God for 300 years, fathering other sons and daughters. Then Scripture tells us something extraordinary: “Enoch was no more, because God took him” (Genesis 5:24). In other words, Enoch did not experience death. He was taken into God’s presence directly, a type of early “rapture.”
Enoch became the great-grandfather of Noah, the man God chose to preserve humanity through the ark at the time of the flood. Interestingly, Noah is also described as one who “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9), continuing that legacy of faith.
Enoch and Elijah
Enoch is one of only two people in the Bible who never died. The other is the prophet Elijah, who was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Both men serve as reminders that God has power over life and death, and He can call His people into His presence in any way He chooses.
The Book of Enoch
Outside of the Bible, an ancient collection known as the Book of Enoch also exists. This text is not part of the accepted biblical canon but has been preserved in some Jewish and Christian traditions. The writings, especially 1 Enoch, describe stories about angels, demons, giants, and visions of judgment. Some passages echo themes in Genesis, such as “the sons of God” taking wives from the daughters of men (Genesis 6:1–2). However, most of its content goes beyond Scripture and cannot be verified.
The book depicts fallen angels producing giant offspring and details conversations between God and archangels such as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. It also includes legendary material about Noah’s birth, portraying him with supernatural features—details not found in the Bible itself.
When Was the Book of Enoch Written?
Most scholars believe the Book of Enoch was written between 300 and 200 B.C., well after the time of the real Enoch. It likely drew on oral traditions and myths, pieced together by multiple authors. Because it was written so late, it cannot have been penned by the biblical Enoch himself. While some parts may preserve very old traditions, it is not considered inspired Scripture.
The Book of Enoch in the New Testament
The New Testament book of Jude briefly references Enoch, quoting a prophecy about the Lord coming with “ten thousands of his saints” to bring judgment (Jude 14–15). This does not validate the entire Book of Enoch, but it shows that Jude considered that particular line useful and true. It reminds us that even writings outside Scripture can contain accurate statements, though that doesn’t make them divinely inspired.
Why Isn’t the Book of Enoch Scripture?
Although the Book of Enoch contains fascinating accounts, biblical scholars agree that it does not meet the standards required for inclusion in the Bible. Scripture is recognized as God’s inspired Word, consistent with the rest of the biblical record, and affirmed by God’s people throughout history. The Book of Enoch, while interesting, mixes truth with speculation and legend. That is why it remains outside the canon, and why believers should always measure its words against the authority of the Bible itself.
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