The Book of Enoch 95
Book V The Epistle of Enoch Chapters 91–108 · 2nd - 1st century BCE
Enoch's testament to his children: woes against the wicked and rich, comfort for the righteous, the Apocalypse of Weeks, and a closing appendix on the miraculous birth of Noah.
Dating & manuscripts. The Apocalypse of Weeks is one of the earliest datable parts. Chapters 106-107 (the Birth of Noah) are a later appendix drawn from a separate Noah tradition.
In the manuscripts the Apocalypse of Weeks runs 93:1-10 then 91:11-17; Charles rearranged the verses to restore that order, which is why some editions number these chapters differently.
1 Enoch is an anthology of five distinct works, composed over roughly three centuries.
Enoch’s Grief: fresh Woes against the Sinners.
The speaker wishes his eyes were a cloud of waters that he might weep over sinners and pour down tears to rest from trouble of heart.
1h that mine eyes were a cloud of waters That I might weep over you, And pour down my tears as a cloud of waters: That so I might rest from my trouble of heart!
2 who has permitted you to practice reproaches and wickedness ? And so judgement shall overtake you, sinners.
3 Fear not the sinners, ye righteous; For again will the Lord deliver them into your hands, That ye may execute judgement upon them according to your desires.
4 Woe to you who fulminate anathemas which cannot be reversed: Healing shall therefore be far from you because of your sins.
5 Woe to you who requite your neighbour with evil; For ye shall be requited according to your works.
6 Woe to you, lying witnesses, And to those who weigh out injustice, For suddenly shall ye perish.
7 Woe to you, sinners, for ye persecute the righteous; For ye shall be delivered up and persecuted because of injustice, And heavy shall its yoke be upon you.
Did You Know?
The speaker wishes his eyes were a cloud of waters that he might weep over sinners and pour down tears to rest from trouble of heart.
Righteous ones are urged not to fear the sinners for they will be delivered into their hands to execute judgement according to desires.
Those who fulminate anathemas which cannot be reversed find healing far from them because of their sins.
Lying witnesses along with those who weigh out injustice shall suddenly perish.
Sinners who persecute the righteous shall be delivered up and persecuted with a heavy yoke of injustice upon them.
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Commentary
In brief
Enoch expresses a desire to weep over sinners for their reproaches and wickedness, assuring the righteous that they will judge them, and declares woes upon those who pronounce irreversible curses, repay neighbors with evil, bear false witness, and persecute the righteous, who will face retribution and heavy yokes.