Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ENOCH

(Heb. ḥănôḵ)

(PERSON)

1. The son of Cain and father of Irad (Gen. 4:17-18). The present form of the text indicates that the first city was built by Cain and named Enoch. The context and typical form of genealogies, however, would seem to indicate that Enoch built the first city; it was thus named Irad (cf. Eridu).

2. The first son of Jared (Gen. 5:18; cf. 1 Chr. 1:3), the father of Methuselah (Gen. 5:21-22), and a 7th-generation descendant of Adam (Jude 14). Enoch’s life-span of 365 years (Gen. 5:23) is comparatively short compared to other members of his family line and may suggest a connection with the solar year. In this regard Enoch has been compared with Emmeduranki, who is usually listed as the seventh of the Mesopotamian antediluvian kings, or with Utuabzu, Enmeduranki’s adviser. Enoch’s story ends with “then he was no more, because God took him” (Gen. 5:24). Such terminology is atypical and implies that Enoch did not die a natural, physical death (cf. Elijah; 2 Kgs. 2:1-12). This escape from death is evidently due to Enoch’s piety, since he is twice described as one who “walked with God” (Gen. 5:22, 24). The first occurrence is not found in the LXX, which reads instead “and Enoch lived. . .”; furthermore, the phrase has been interpreted to mean “Enoch walked with angelic beings.” Even so, the phrase is nevertheless comparable to Noah’s description (Gen. 6:9) and thus probably relates to Enoch’s righteousness and translation (cf. Sir. 44:16; 49:14; Heb. 11:5; cf. Wis. 4:10). This “taking” has occasioned much speculation and may be the reason why Enoch figures prominently in later literature (e.g., Jubilees, 1 Enoch [cf. Jude 14]; 2 Enoch; 3 Enoch).

Bibliography. J. C. VanderKam, Enoch and the Growth of an Apocalyptic Tradition. CBQMS 16 (Washington, 1984).

Brent A. Strawn

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ENOCH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)