Ancient Glossary

Key terms from the Book of Enoch, Book of Jubilees, and Book of Jasher - defined in modern English.

Angel Of The Presence
The celestial being who dictates the Book of Jubilees to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Animal Apocalypse
An allegorical retelling of history in 1 Enoch 85-90 where humans and angels appear as animals.
Antediluvian
Referring to the period before the Flood; the era of the patriarchs from Adam through Noah.
Apocalyptic
A literary genre revealing hidden heavenly truths through visions, angelic mediators, and eschatological judgment.
Astronomical Book
Section of 1 Enoch (chapters 72-82) detailing the solar calendar and movements of luminaries.
Azazel
A chief Watcher who taught humanity metallurgy, weapons, and cosmetics; bound in darkness until judgment (1 Enoch 8-10).
Book Of Watchers
The first major section of 1 Enoch (chapters 1-36) describing the fall of the angels and Enoch's journeys.
Covenant
A binding agreement between God and humanity, often sealed with signs like the rainbow or circumcision (Jubilees 6, 15).
Elect One
Title for the messianic figure in the Parables who executes judgment on behalf of the Lord of Spirits (1 Enoch 39-62).
Epistle Of Enoch
The closing section (1 Enoch 91-108) containing woes, the Apocalypse of Weeks, and exhortations.
Eschatology
Theological concern with the end times, final judgment, and renewal of creation; central to Enochic thought.
Gabriel
Archangel sent to destroy the giants by inciting them to war against each other (1 Enoch 10).
Geez
The Ethiopic language in which the complete text of 1 Enoch is uniquely preserved, maintained by the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition.
Gehenna
The fiery valley of punishment prepared for fallen angels and the wicked at the final judgment (1 Enoch 27, 54).
Head Of Days
The eternal, white-haired figure on the heavenly throne, representing God's timeless sovereignty (1 Enoch 46, 71).
Heavenly Tablets
Celestial records containing divine decrees, laws, and the predetermined history of creation (Jubilees 3-6).
Hedad
False dream interpreter in Sodom who exemplifies the perversity of the cities of the plain (Jasher 18).
Intercession
The act of pleading before God on behalf of others; Enoch intercedes for the Watchers but is refused (1 Enoch 13-16).
Jubilee
A 49-year cycle of release and restoration; the structuring principle of the Book of Jubilees.
Lord Of Spirits
Primary title for God in 1 Enoch, especially the Parables; the sovereign over all created beings.
Luminaries
The sun, moon, and stars whose regulated movements demonstrate divine order (1 Enoch 72-82).
Mastema
The chief evil spirit and accuser in Jubilees who receives limited authority to test and tempt humanity.
Michael
Chief archangel who intercedes for humanity and executes divine judgment against the fallen Watchers (1 Enoch 10, 20).
Nephilim
Giant offspring born from the union of Watchers and human women; their violence and consumption provoked the Flood (1 Enoch 7).
Nimrod
Mighty hunter-king in Jasher who built Babel and persecuted Abraham; symbol of tyrannical human ambition.
Parables Of Enoch
The second major section (1 Enoch 37-71) containing the Son of Man visions and judgment scenes.
Pseudepigrapha
Ancient Jewish writings attributed to biblical figures but composed later; includes Enoch, Jubilees, and related works.
Qumran
The site near the Dead Sea where fragments of 1 Enoch and Jubilees were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Raphael
Archangel charged with binding Azazel and healing the earth from the corruption of the Watchers (1 Enoch 10).
Righteous One
Title applied to Enoch and Noah, designating those who walk faithfully with God amid widespread corruption.
Rikayon
Cunning Egyptian who rose to power through a burial tax scheme, becoming ruler alongside Pharaoh (Jasher 14).
Second Temple
The period (~516 BCE - 70 CE) during which most pseudepigraphal literature was composed.
Semjaza
Leader of the 200 Watchers who swore an oath on Mount Hermon to descend and take human wives (1 Enoch 6).
Sheol
The underworld realm where departed souls await judgment, divided into compartments for righteous and wicked (1 Enoch 22).
Solar Calendar
The 364-day calendar advocated by Jubilees and 1 Enoch, divided into four quarters of 91 days each.
Son Of Man
The pre-existent messianic judge who sits on the throne of glory to vindicate the righteous (1 Enoch 46-71).
Tartarus
The dark abyss where rebellious Watchers are bound in chains until the day of final judgment (1 Enoch 18-21).
Theophany
A visible manifestation of the divine presence, such as Enoch's encounter with the Great Glory (1 Enoch 14).
Uriel
Archangel of luminaries and Tartarus who guides Enoch through celestial realms and reveals astronomical secrets (1 Enoch 72-82).
Watchers
The holy angels who descended to earth, took human wives, and corrupted humanity by teaching forbidden arts (1 Enoch 6-16).
Zelicah
Potiphar's wife who repeatedly attempted to seduce Joseph over many years (Jasher 44).