Introducing the Book of Enoch—a collection of ancient Jewish writings often described as “banned from the Bible.” This mysterious text reveals the lost history of the Nephilim, the origins of the fallen angels known as the Watchers, and prophecies about a final apocalyptic judgment. Perhaps you’ve heard of Enoch before—but what does this book actually say? Why was it excluded from the biblical canon, and how did it become one of the most influential works of Second Temple apocalyptic literature? In this video, I’ll walk you through the contents of the 1 Enoch text, explore its ancient Jewish and early Christian context, and uncover why the Book of Enoch remains one of the most misunderstood—and most debated—books outside the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.
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The Book of Enoch, also known as 1 Enoch, is an ancient Jewish apocalyptic religious text traditionally attributed to Enoch, the biblical figure who was the great-grandfather of Noah (as mentioned in Genesis 5). However, it is a pseudepigraphal work—meaning it was written under a false name—likely composed by anonymous Jewish authors during the Second Temple period, with its oldest sections dating from around 300–200 BC and later parts possibly from the 1st century BC. The text survives in fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls (in Aramaic and Hebrew) and in a complete Ge’ez (Ethiopic) translation preserved in Ethiopian manuscripts. Why was this all hidden from us so long ago?
It is divided into five main sections: the Book of the Watchers (detailing the fall of angels who mated with humans, producing giants called Nephilim, and Enoch’s heavenly visions); the Book of Parables (introducing eschatological figures like the “Son of Man”); the Astronomical Book (describing celestial bodies and a 364-day solar calendar); the Book of Dream Visions (an allegorical history of Israel); and the Epistle of Enoch (prophetic exhortations and an “Apocalypse of Weeks”). The book explores themes like the origins of demons, the reason for the Genesis flood, angelology, demonology, and end-times prophecies, drawing on Mesopotamian influences and vivid imagery of judgment and resurrection.
The Book of Enoch, also known as The Book for the Last Generation gives different perspective of the Flood of Noah. It is really interesting read.
The Book of Enoch, also known as The Book for the Last Generation gives different perspective of the Flood of Noah. It is really interesting read. pic.twitter.com/go6MKOHTZ2
— Johnny (@j00ny369T) January 29, 2024
Contrary to some popular claims, the Book of Enoch was not “removed” from the Bible in the sense of being excised from an established canon; rather, it was never formally included in the standard biblical canons of Judaism or most branches of Christianity. In Judaism, it was excluded during the formation of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) canon, which was largely solidified by rabbinic authorities by the 2nd century AD—possibly influenced by discussions at the Council of Jamnia (around 90 AD), though that council’s role is debated. Rabbinic Judaism rejected it as inauthentic, pseudepigraphal, and not aligned with core emphases on the Mosaic covenant, temple practices, and ethical-legal teachings, viewing it instead as sectarian literature associated with groups like the Essenes (who preserved copies at Qumran). Its mystical and apocalyptic content, including detailed accounts of fallen angels (Watchers) and giants, was seen as conflicting with orthodox views or too speculative.
For Christianity, the book’s status varied in the early church, with some Church Fathers like Tertullian and Origen referencing it positively, but it was ultimately not included in the canons established by key councils in the 4th century AD, such as the Synod of Hippo (393 AD) and the Council of Carthage (397 AD), which defined the New Testament and Old Testament books deemed inspired and authoritative. Influential figures like Athanasius of Alexandria (in his 367 AD Festal Letter) and Jerome (in his Latin Vulgate translation) classified it as apocryphal or non-canonical, citing doubts about its authorship, lack of apostolic endorsement, and theological inconsistencies with the rest of Scripture. It was not part of the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament used by early Christians) in its canonical form, and Protestant reformers like Martin Luther later reinforced its exclusion during the Reformation, aligning with the shorter Hebrew canon.
The three books of Enoch tell the story of the Watchers and the Nephilim. These giants were not mere myths; they once walked the Earth, and traces of their existence endure in the form of ancient petrified remains.
The three books of Enoch tell the story of the Watchers and the Nephilim. These giants were not mere myths; they once walked the Earth, and traces of their existence endure in the form of ancient petrified remains. 💀 pic.twitter.com/we7JH6hzVS
— FLAT OUT TRUTH (@TheFlatEartherr) January 6, 2025
Despite this, the Book of Enoch is considered canonical and part of the Bible in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, where it holds liturgical importance, as well as in the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jewish) community. It also influenced early Jewish and Christian thought, with direct quotations in the New Testament book of Jude (Jude 1:14–15 cites 1 Enoch 1:9) and allusions in texts like 2 Peter, Hebrews, and 1 Peter regarding angels, the “Son of Man,” resurrection, and eschatology. Its rediscovery in the West in the 18th century (via manuscripts brought from Ethiopia) sparked interest in biblical studies, mysticism, and even modern interpretations in fields like angelology and ancient astronaut theories, though scholars emphasize its non-inspired status.
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