The Book of Enoch 37
Book II The Book of Parables (Similitudes) Chapters 37–71 · late 1st century BCE - early 1st century CE
Three parables revealing the heavenly Son of Man / Elect One, seated on the throne of glory to judge the kings and the mighty. The most theologically influential - and most debated - section.
Dating & manuscripts. Notably ABSENT from the Qumran fragments, unlike every other section. This absence anchors the long scholarly debate over the Parables' date and the origin of their 'Son of Man' figure.
Chapters 46 and 48 draw directly on Daniel 7 for the titles 'Head of Days' and 'Son of Man'. The section also contains Noahic interpolations (e.g. 60, 65-69).
1 Enoch is an anthology of five distinct works, composed over roughly three centuries.
The First Parable: Introduction
This second vision of wisdom was seen by Enoch son of Jared son of Mahalalel son of Cainan son of Enos son of Seth son of Adam.
1he second vision which he saw, the vision of wisdom -which Enoch the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, saw.
2 And this is the beginning of the words of wisdom which I lifted up my voice to speak and say to those which dwell on earth: Hear, ye men of old time, and see, ye that come after, the words of the Holy One which I will speak before the Lord of Spirits.
3 It were better to declare (them only) to the men of old time, but even from those that come after we will not withhold the beginning of wisdom.
4 Till the present day such wisdom has never been given by the Lord of Spirits as I have received according to my insight, according to the good pleasure of the Lord of Spirits by whom the lot of eternal life has been given to me.
5 Now three Parables were imparted to me, and I lifted up my voice and recounted them to those that dwell on the earth.
Did You Know?
This second vision of wisdom was seen by Enoch son of Jared son of Mahalalel son of Cainan son of Enos son of Seth son of Adam.
Till the present day such wisdom has never been given by the Lord of Spirits as Enoch received according to his insight.
Three Parables were imparted to Enoch and he lifted up his voice and recounted them to those that dwell on the earth.
Though better for men of old time alone Enoch refuses to withhold the beginning of wisdom from those that come after.
The lot of eternal life has been given to Enoch by the Lord of Spirits according to that Lord's good pleasure.
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Commentary
In brief
Enoch presents his second vision, known as the vision of wisdom, and begins declaring words of wisdom never before given by the Lord of Spirits, which he has received, including three parables that he recounts to those dwelling on earth.