The Maccabee - Meaning and Morality of Enoch

Meaning and Morality of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

Part I. Meaning of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

- In general, the name Enoch comes from the Hebrew verb 'hanak' meaning dedicate

Various Meanings of Enoch

- Hebrew word for Imprint, pierce into, instruct, make wise (Fuerst's Hebrew & Chaldee Lexicon To The Old Testament)

- Hebrew word for Initiated (Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names)

- Hebrew word for Dedicated (NOBS Study Bible Name List).

Other References to Enoch

- The name Enoch is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'trained and vowed, dedicated; profound'

- The name Enoch is closely related to the Hebrew word 'hanak' and its derivatives. In the Bible, 'hanak' is used in reference to an action in connection to a building (1 Kings 8:63), a wall (Nehemiah 12:27), an altar (Numbers 7:10), or an image (Daniel 3:2). (HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)

- Hebrew Derivatives of the name Enoch include 'hanik', meaning trained servant (Genesis 14:14) and 'hanukka', meaning dedication (Psalm 30)

- The word Enoch, when used as a noun, also makes a reappearance much later in the Bible as the name Hanukkah, the still celebrated Feast Of Dedication (John 10:22)

- Remarkably, one of the roots of the name Enoch, namely 'hanak' also yields the derivative hek, meaning palate, mouth, with connotation of speech (Proverbs 8:7, Song of Solomon 5:16)

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The Bible of Enoch, Enoch and Enoch

- There are three separate Enochs mentioned in the Bible. Enoch is first mentioned as a son of Cain.

- Enoch is mentioned once again as the name Cain gives to his newly-built city in honor of his son Enoch (Genesis 4:17).

- Finally, Enoch is mentioned a third time as being a son of Jared, of the line of Seth, third son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 5:19). This particular Enoch, who is said to have 'walked with God,' is from the seventh generation of Adam (where Adam is the first). These three different Enochs can be understood in the following manner:

I. Enoch: the son of Cain, father of Irad

II. Enoch: a city built by Cain and then deliberately named after his son Enoch

III. Enoch: the son of Jared, father of Methuselah, from the line of Seth, also a direct descendant of Adam from the seventh generation. As the Bible states; Enoch 'walked with God' and then disappeared without a trace. As this miraculous event has traditionally been understood by both Judaism and Christianity, Enoch, son of Jared, is one of only two men in history (Elijah is the other one) who has never experienced bodily death. Instead, Enoch, like the Prophet Elijah who came after him, was taken directly up into Heaven, both physically and spiritually, by God.

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The Biblical Passages about Enoch

Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael became the father of Methushael, and Methushael became the father of Lamech. (Genesis 4:16-18)

Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch. Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch...Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters.So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:18-24)

So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:23-24)

The sons then of Ruben the firstborn of Israel were Enoch, and Phallu, Esron, and Charmi. (I Chronicles 5:3)

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, 'Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.' (Jude 1:14-15)

NOTE: Enoch is also mentioned in I Chronicles 1:3 and Luke 3:37

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Part II. Morality of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

The Seven Blessings of Enoch

I. Blessed is he who opens his lips in praise of the God of Sabaoth and praises the LORD with his heart.

II. Blessed is he who opens his lips blessing and praising God.

III. Blessed is he who blesses all the LORD’s works.

IV. Blessed is he who looks down and raises the fallen.

V. Blessed is he who keeps the foundations of his fathers made firm from the beginning.

VI. Blessed is he who imparts peace and love.

VII. Blessed is he who speaks with humble tongue and heart to all. (II Enoch 52:1-13)

The Seven Cursings of Enoch

I. Cursed is he who opens his lips for the bringing of contempt and calumny upon his neighbour, because he brings God into contempt.

II. Cursed is he before the LORD all the days of his life, who opens his lips to curse and abuse.

III. Cursed is he who brings the LORDs creation into contempt

IV. Cursed is he who looks to and is eager for the destruction of what is not his.

V. Cursed is he who perverts the decrees of his forefathers.

VI. Cursed is he who disturbs those that love their neighbors

VII. Cursed is he who speaks peace with his tongue, while in his heart there is no peace but a sword. (II Enoch 52:2-14)

For all these things will be laid bare in the weighing-scales and in the books, on the day of the great judgment. (II Enoch 52:15)

The Six Additional Blessings of Enoch

1) Blessed are those who enter the good houses, for in the bad houses there is no peace nor return from them. (II Enoch 61:2)

2) Blessed is the man who shall bear their yoke and shall drag them along, for he shall be released on the day of the great judgment. (II Enoch 48:7)

3) Blessed are the just who shall escape the great judgment, for they shall shine forth more than the sun sevenfold, for in this world the seventh part is taken off from all, light, darkness, food, enjoyment, sorrow, paradise, torture, fire, frost, and other things; he put all down in writing, that you might read and understand. (II Enoch 67:8)

4) Bessed is the man who in his patience brings his gifts with faith before the LORD’s face, because he will find forgiveness of sins. But if he take back his words before the time, there is no repentance for him; and if the time pass and he do not of his own will what is promised, there is no repentance after death. (II Enoch 62:1-2)

5) Blessed is the man who does not direct his heart with malice against any man, and helps the injured and condemned, and raises the broken down, and shall do charity to the needy, because on the day of the great judgment every weight, every measure and every makeweight (will be) as in the market, that is to say (they are) hung on scales and stand in the market, (and every one) shall learn his own measure, and according to his measure shall take his reward. (II Enoch 44:3)

6) Blessed is the man who has not been born or who has been born and shall not sin before the Lord’s face, that he come not into this place, nor bring the yoke of this place. (II Enoch 41:3)

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Some Timeless Advice of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

Keep Your Heart Pure and Free of Evil

Keep your hearts from every injustice, which the LORD hates. When man puts a good thought in his heart, brings gifts from his labours before the LORD’s face and his hands made them not, then the LORD will turn away his face And if his hands made it, but his heart murmur, and his heart cease not making murmur incessantly, he has not any advantage. (II Enoch 61:1-4)

When the LORD demands bread, or candles, or the flesh of beasts, or any other sacrifice, then that is nothing; but God demands pure hearts, and with all the rest simply tests the heart of man. (II Enoch 45:3)

The LORD see all the imaginings of man, how they are vain, where they lie in the treasure-houses of the heart. (II Enoch 53:2)

If one man makes himself appear good to another by deceit of tongue, but has evil in his heart, then will not the other understand the treachery of his heart, and himself be condemned, since his untruth was plain to all? (II Enoch 46:3)

Do No Harm to your Fellow Man or Risk Judgment

He who works the killing of a man’s soul, kills his own soul, and kills his own body, and there is no cure for him for all time. (II Enoch 60:1)

He who puts a man in any snare, shall stick in it himself, and there is no cure for him for all time. (II Enoch 60:2)

He who puts a man in any vessel, his retribution will not be wanting at the great judgment for all time. (II Enoch 60:3)

He who works crookedly or speaks evil against any soul, will not make justice for himself for all time. (II Enoch 60:4)

The Golden Rule

Just as a man asks something for his own soul from God, so let him do to every living soul, because the LORD knows all things, how in the great time to come there is much inheritance prepared for men, good for the good, and bad for the bad, without number many (II Enoch 61:1)

Turn the Other Cheek

If any harm or damage befalsl you, return (them) not either to neighbor or enemy, because the Lord will return (them) for you and be your avenger on the day of great judgment, that there be no avenging here among men. (II Enoch 50:5)

Always Give to Charity

Stretch out your hands to the poor according to your strength. (II Enoch 51:1)

Whoever of you spends gold or silver for his brother’s sake, he will receive ample treasure in the world to come. (II Enoch 50:6)

Show Kindness Towards Others

Help the faithful man in affliction, and affliction will not find you in the time of your trouble. (II Enoch 51:3)

Injure not widows nor orphans nor strangers, lest God’s wrath come upon you. (II Enoch 50:7)

Hide not your silver in the earth. (II Enoch 51:2)

It is good to go morning, midday, and evening into the Lord’s dwelling, for the glory of your creator. Because every breathing (thing) glorifies him, and every creature visible (physical) and invisible (spiritual) returns him praise. (II Enoch 51:5-6)

Now therefore, my children, in patience and meekness spend the number of your days, that you inherit endless life.(II Enoch 50:3)

Always Fear the LORD your God

There is none better than he who fears God, he shall be more glorious in time to come. (II Enoch 43:2)

Walk before his face with terror and trembling and serve him alone. (II Enoch 67:2)

Endure Suffering with Patience

Walk, my children, in long-suffering, in meekness, honesty, in provocation, in grief, in faith and in truth, in (reliance on) promises, in illness, in abuse, in wounds, in temptation, in nakedness, in privation, loving one another, till you go out from this age of ills, that you become inheritors of endless time. (II Enoch 67:7)

And every grievous and cruel yoke that come upon you bear all for the sake of the LORD, and thus you will find your reward in the day of judgment.(II Enoch 51:4)

Endure for the sake of the LORD every wound, every injury, every evil word and attack. (II Enoch 50:4)

May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Enoch.

The Maccabee - Jesus Christ Mentions the Apocryphal Testament of Abraham

Many scholars tend to be dismissive of the relationship between Christ and the Apocrypha, boldly contending that Jesus specifically rejected the Apocrypha and only accepted the 39 Books of the Protestant Old Testament as Biblical Canon. Thus, Protestant denial of the Books of the Maccabees, for example, is then considered a God-given command which they proceed to eagerly follow: Sorry to throw a wrench into their claims, but this must be exposed for what it is- a lie. More and more scholars are now understanding that some of the more obscure, and misunderstood, portions of the Gospels have Apocryphal roots and origins. Here is just one example:

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

- Matthew 7:13-14

Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able.

- Luke 13:24

What is Jesus Christ stating here? Or, to be specific, what is He talking about anyway? Well, most people rightfully assume that the 'narrow gate' is a sinless, Christian life and faith, while the 'wide gate' is a sinful, non-believer's life and faith. The question is, where did Jesus get this imagery from? Did Jesus simply make it up, or was he referring to a popular Jewish legend concerning the gates of Heaven that was typical of the era and that is specifically mentioned in the Apocryphal Book called the Testament of Abraham. Here is the exact quotation:

So Michael turned the chariot and brought Abraham to the east, to the first gate of heaven; and Abraham saw two ways, the one narrow and contracted, the other broad and spacious, and there he saw two gates, the one broad on the broad way, and the other narrow on the narrow way. And outside the two gates there he saw a man sitting upon a gilded throne, and the appearance of that man was terrible, as of the LORD. And they saw many souls driven by angels and led in through the broad gate, and other souls, few in number, that were taken by the angels through the narrow gate. And when the wonderful one who sat upon the golden throne saw few entering through the narrow gate, and many entering through the broad one, straightway that wonderful one tore the hairs of his head and the sides of his beard, and threw himself on the ground from his throne, weeping and lamenting. But when he saw many souls entering through the narrow gate, then he arose from the ground and sat upon his throne in great joy, rejoicing and exulting.

And Abraham asked the chief-captain, 'My Lord chief-captain, who is this most marvelous man, adorned with such glory, and sometimes he weeps and laments, and sometimes he rejoices and exults?' The spiritual one said: 'This is the first-created Adam who is in such glory, and he looks upon the world because all are born from him, and when he sees many souls going through the narrow gate, then he arises and sits upon his throne rejoicing and exulting in joy, because this narrow gate is that of the just, that leads to life, and they that enter through it go into Paradise. For this, then, the first-created Adam rejoices, because he sees the souls being saved. But when he sees many souls entering through the broad gate, then he pulls out the hairs of his head, and casts himself on the ground weeping and lamenting bitterly, for the broad gate is that of sinners, which leads to destruction and eternal punishment. And for this the first-formed Adam falls from his throne weeping and lamenting for the destruction of sinners, for they are many that are lost, and they are few that are saved, for in seven thousand there is scarcely found one soul saved, being righteous and undefiled.'

- The Testament of Abraham 11

The Broad Gate

GOSPEL: For the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

APOCRYPHA: For the broad gate is that of sinners, which leads to destruction and eternal punishment. And for this the first-formed Adam falls from his throne weeping and lamenting for the destruction of sinners, for they are many that are lost, and they are few that are saved, for in seven thousand there is scarcely found one soul saved, being righteous and undefiled.

The Narrow Gate

GOSPEL: Enter through the narrow gate...For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

APOCRYPHA: when he sees many souls going through the narrow gate, then he arises and sits upon his throne rejoicing and exulting in joy, because this narrow gate is that of the just, that leads to life, and they that enter through it go into Paradise. For this, then, the first-created Adam rejoices, because he sees the souls being saved.

Indeed, the similarities between the Gospels and the Apocrypha are quite astounding, to say the least. Most scholars today are fairly convinced of the Testament of Abraham's staunchly Jewish origins and believe that an original version in Hebrew has been tragically lost to history. Nearly all of them agree that the Testament of Abraham isn't an originally Christian text, and may have been written down in Greek either by Essene or a Pharisee. The Testament of Abraham did not borrow from Jesus, but vice versa. This leads to only one inescapable conclusion, Jesus Christ mentions an Apocryphal legend in the Gospels directly and specifically.

This single comparison goes far in legitimizing the Apocrypha, including the Books of the Maccabess. One could surmise that Jesus could have been familiar with the Testament of Abraham and mentions the legend in passing in the Gospel texts by both Matthew and Luke. One thing is for sure, the Gospels do, in fact, contain evidence, that Jesus Christ was familiar with the Apocrypha, which may have been considered Biblical by some at the time, and He even mentions certain portions of them in the New Testament. To deny this would be to deny reality.

May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.