The Book of Enoch 38
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: Judgment of Sinners
When the congregation of the righteous appears, sinners shall be judged for their sins and driven from the face of the earth. Themes: The Son of Man / Elect One
1he First Parable. When the congregation of the righteous shall appear, And sinners shall be judged for their sins, And shall be driven from the face of the earth:
2 And when the Righteous One shall appear before the eyes of the righteous, Whose elect works hang upon the Lord of Spirits, And light shall appear to the righteous and the elect who dwell on the earth, Where then will be the dwelling of the sinners, And where the resting-place of those who have denied the Lord of Spirits? It had been good for them if they had not been born.
3 When the secrets of the righteous shall be revealed and the sinners judged, And the godless driven from the presence of the righteous and elect,
4 From that time those that possess the earth shall no longer be powerful and exalted: And they shall not be able to behold the face of the holy, For the Lord of Spirits has caused His light to appear On the face of the holy, righteous, and elect.
5 Then shall the kings and the mighty perish And be given into the hands of the righteous and holy.
6 And thenceforward none shall seek for themselves mercy from the Lord of Spirits For their life is at an end.
Did You Know?
When the congregation of the righteous appears, sinners shall be judged for their sins and driven from the face of the earth.
It had been good for those who denied the Lord of Spirits if they had not been born.
Secrets of the righteous shall be revealed as sinners are judged and the godless driven from the elect.
Those that possess the earth shall no longer be powerful and exalted nor able to behold the holy.
Kings and the mighty perish and are given into the hands of the righteous and holy.
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Commentary
In brief
The first parable describes the appearance of the righteous congregation as sinners are judged and banished from the earth. Light from the Righteous One reveals the secrets of the elect, the mighty lose power and perish by the holy, and the godless seek no mercy once their lives end.