The Book of Enoch 54
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 Flood as First Judgment
Enoch saw a deep valley with burning fire into which the kings and the mighty were cast. Themes: Divine Judgment and the Flood
1nd I looked and turned to another part of the earth, and saw there a deep valley with burning fire.
2 And they brought the kings and the mighty, and began to cast them into this deep valley.
3 And there mine eyes saw how they made these their instruments, iron chains of immeasurable weight.
4 And I asked the angel of peace who went with me, saying: ' For whom are these chains being prepared ?'
5 And he said unto me: ' These are being prepared for the hosts of Azazel, so that they may take them and cast them into the abyss of complete condemnation, and they shall cover their jaws with rough stones as the Lord of Spirits commanded.
6 And Michael, and Gabriel, and Raphael, and Phanuel shall take hold of them on that great day, and cast them on that day into the burning furnace, that the Lord of Spirits may take vengeance on them for their unrighteousness in becoming subject to Satan and leading astray those who dwell on the earth.'
7 And in those days shall punishment come from the Lord of Spirits, and he will open all the chambers of waters which are above the heavens, and of the fountains which are beneath the earth.
8 And all the waters shall be joined with the waters: that which is above the heavens is the masculine, and the water which is beneath the earth is the feminine.
9 And they shall destroy all who dwell on the earth and those who dwell under the ends of the heaven.
10 And when they have recognized their unrighteousness which they have wrought on the earth, then by these shall they perish.
Did You Know?
Enoch saw a deep valley with burning fire into which the kings and the mighty were cast.
Iron chains of immeasurable weight were prepared for the hosts of Azazel to cast them into the abyss of complete condemnation.
Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Phanuel shall cast Azazel's hosts into a burning furnace on that great day.
Masculine waters above the heavens will join feminine waters beneath the earth and destroy all who dwell on the earth.
Azazel's hosts will have their jaws covered with rough stones before being cast into the abyss of complete condemnation.
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Commentary
In brief
Enoch sees a deep valley of fire where kings and the mighty are cast, and iron chains of immeasurable weight prepared for Azazel's hosts whom Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Phanuel cast into the burning furnace. Waters above and below then join to destroy earth's dwellers who perish upon recognizing their unrighteousness.