Genesis 5:18-24 [18] Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. [19] After he begot Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and had sons and daughters. [20] So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died. [21] Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. [22] After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. [23] So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. [24] And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Jude 1:14-15 [14] Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, [15] to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."

We first learn of Enoch in Genesis 5 but it leaves us with questions. Hebrews 11 has the answers and Jude quotes Enoch! How did Jude come to know the words of Enoch? They are not in the Bible. The answer of course, is The Book of Enoch. A book which is actually quoted by Jude in the New Testament. What is the Book of Enoch and where did it come from?

Enoch was the grandfather of Noah. The Book of Enoch chapter 68:1 "And after that my grandfather Enoch gave me all the secrets in the book and in the parables which had been given to him, and he put them together for me in the words of the book of the parables."

The Book of Enoch was extant centuries before the birth of Christ and yet is considered by many to be more Christian in its theology than Jewish. It was considered scripture by many early Christians. The earliest literature of the so-called "Church Fathers" is filled with references to this mysterious book. The early second century "Epistle of Barnabus" makes much use of the Book of Enoch. Second and Third Century "Church Fathers" like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origin and Clement of Alexandria all make use of the Book of Enoch. Tertullian (160-230 C.E) even called the Book of Enoch "Holy Scripture". The Ethiopic Church even added the Book of Enoch to its official canon. It was widely known and read the first three centuries after Christ. This and many other books became discredited after the Council of Laodicea. And being under ban of the authorities, afterwards it gradually passed out of circulation.

At about the time of the Protestant Reformation, there came to be a renewed interest in the Book of Enoch which had long since been lost to the modern world. By the late 1400's rumors began to spread that somewhere a copy of the long lost Book of Enoch might still exist. During this time many books arose claiming to be the long lost book and were later found to be forgeries.

The return of the long lost Book of Enoch to the modern western world is credited to the famous explorer James Bruce, who in 1773 returned from six years in Abyssinia with three Ethiopic copies of the lost book. In 1821 Richard Laurence published the first English translation. The famous R.H. Charles edition was published in 1912. In the following years several portions of the Greek text surfaced. Then with the discovery of cave 4 of the Dead Sea Scrolls, seven fragmentary copies of the Aramaic text were discovered.

There are scholars who believe the Book of Enoch was published before the Christian era by some great unknown of Semetic race, who believing himself to be inspired in a post-prophetic age, borrowed the name of an antediluvian patriarch to authenticate his own enthusiastic forcast of the coming Messiah. The Book of Enoch is divided into five basic parts, but it is the The Book of Parables (37-71) which gives scholars the most trouble for it is primarily concerned with a figure called "the messiah"; "the righteous one"; "the chosen one" and "the son of man."

The Book of Enoch Chapter 46:1-2 [1] There I beheld the Ancient of days whose head was like white wool, and with him another, whose countenance resembled that of a man. His countenance was full of grace, like that of one of the holy angels. Then I inquired of one of the angels, who went with me, and who showed me every secret thing, concerning this Son of man; who he was; whence he was; and why he accompanied the Ancient of days. [2] He answered and said to me, This is the Son of man, to whom righteousness belongs; with whom righteousness has dwealt; and who will reveal all the treasures of that which is concealed: for the Lord of spirits has chosen him; and his portion has surpassed all before the Lord of spirits in everlasting uprightness."

(1) 1 Enoch

Discovery of the "Lost Text"
"The Greek word pseudepigrapha is a Greek word meaning 'falsely superscribed,' or what we moderns might call writing under a pen name. The classification, 'OT Pseudepigrapha,' is a label that scholars have given to these writings."
    - Craig A. Evans, Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation, (1992) p. 22

"The Book of Enoch is a pseudepigraphical work (a work that claims to be by a biblical character). The Book of Enoch was not included in either the Hebrew or most Christian biblical canons, but could have been considered a sacred text by the sectarians."
    - Milik, Jazef. T., ed. The Books of Enoch: Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4

The Book of Enoch is "an ancient composition known from two sets of versions, an Ethiopic one that scholars identify as '1 Enoch', and a Slavonic version that is identified as '2 Enoch', and which is also known as The Book of the Secrets of Enoch. Both versions, of which copied manuscripts have been found mostly in Greek and Latin translations, are based on early sources that enlarged on the short biblical mention that Enoch, the seventh Patriarch after Adam, did not die because, at age 365, 'he walked with God' - taken heavenward to join the deity."
    - Zecharia Sitchin, When Time Began

"I Enoch, also known as the Ethiopic Apocalypse of Enoch, is the oldest of the three pseudepigraphal books attributed to Enoch, the man who apparently did not die, but was taken up to heaven (Gen 5:24). The book was originally written in either Hebrew or Aramaic, perhaps both, but it survives in complete form only in Ethiopic (Ge'ez), and in fragmentary form in Aramaic, Greek (1:1-32:6; 6:1-10:14; 15:8-16:1; 89:42-49; 97:6-104), and Latin (106:1-18)."
"The materials in I Enoch range in date from 200 B.C.E. to 50 C.E. I Enoch contributes much to intertestamental views of angels, heaven, judgment, resurrection, and the Messiah. This book has left its stamp upon many of the NT writers, especially the author of Revelation."
    - Craig A. Evans, Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation, (1992) p. 23

"Prior to the eighteenth century, scholars had believed the Book of Enoch to be irretrievably lost: composed long before the birth of Christ, and considered to be one of the most important pieces of Jewish mystical literature, it was only known from fragments and from references to it in other texts. James Bruce changed all this by procuring several copies of the missing work during his stay in Ethiopia. These were the first complete editions of the Book of Enoch ever to be seen in Europe."
    - Graham Hancock, The Sign and the Seal

"The Book of Enoch remained in darkness until 1821, when the long years of dedicated work by a professor of Hebrew at the University of Oxford were finally rewarded with the publication of the first ever English translation of the Book of Enoch. The Reverend Richard Laurence, Archbishop of Cashel, had labored for many hundreds of hours over the faded manuscript in the hands of the Bodleian Library, carefully substituting English words and expressions for the original Geez, while comparing the results with known extracts, such as the few brief chapters preserved in Greek by Syncellus during the ninth century."
    - Andrew Collins, From the Ashes of Angels - The Forbidden Legacy of a Fallen Race (1996) p. 21

"The original Aramaic version was lost until the Dead Sea fragments were discovered."
"The original language of most of this work was, in all likelihood, Aramaic (an early Semitic language). Although the original version was lost in antiquity, portions of a Greek translation were discovered in Egypt and quotations were known from the Church Fathers. The discovery of the texts from Qumran Cave 4 has finally provided parts of the Aramaic original. ...Humankind is called on to observe how unchanging nature follows God's will."
    - Milik, Jazef. T., ed. The Books of Enoch: Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4


Composition
"1 Enoch, preserved in a full, 108-chapter form in Ethiopic, consists of five parts and one appended chapter. It originated in Aramaic (perhaps Hebrew for chaps. 37-71), was translated into Greek, and from Greek into Ethiopic."
    - James C. Vanderkam (Professor of Hebrew Scriptures at the University of Notre Dame)

"The Aramaic Book of Enoch...very considerably influenced the idiom of the New Testament and patristic literature, more so in fact than any other writing of the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha."
    - Norman Golb, Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?, (1995) p. 366

"As it now stands, I Enoch appears to consist of the following five major divisions:
   (1) The Book of the Watchers (chaps. 1-36);
   (2) The Book of the Similitudes (chaps. 37-7l)-,
   (3) The Book of Astronomical Writings (chaps. 72-82);
   (4) The Book of Dream Visions (chaps. 83-90); and
   (5) The Book of the Epistle of Enoch (chaps. 91-107)."
    - Craig A. Evans, Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation, (1992) p. 23

"Chaps. 1-36 The Book of the Watchers may date from the third century BCE. Parts of its text have been identified on several copies from Qumran cave 4; the earliest fragmentary manuscript (4QEnocha) dates, according to the editor J.T. Milk, to between 200 and 150 BCE. All Qumran copies are in the Aramaic language."
    - James C. Vanderkam

"James Vanderkam divides the first part of 1 Enoch into five sections:
   1-5 a theophany followed by an eschatological admonition
   6-11 the angel story (stories)
   12-16 Enoch and the failed petition of the angels who descended,
   17-19 Enoch's first journey,
   20-36 Enoch's second journey (chap. 20 is a list of angels who are connected with the journeys)."
    - Tom Simms (CrossTalk)

"Chaps. 37-71 The Book of Parables (or the Similitudes of Enoch) may have been composed in the late first century BCE; a number of scholars prefer to place it in the first or even the second century CE. Milik assigns it to the late third century CE. No fragments of these chapters have been found at Qumran, and some think their original language was Hebrew, not Aramaic."
    - James C. Vanderkam

"Chaps. 72-82 The Astronomical Book, like the Book of Watchers, may date from the third century BCE; the oldest copy of it seems to have been made not long after 200 BCE. Sizable portions of the text are preserved on four copies, written in Aramaic, from Qumran cave 4. The Aramaic original appears to have been much different and much longer than the Ethiopic text, adding far more astronomical details."
    - James C. Vanderkam


Authorship
"A world view so encyclopaediac that it embraced the geography of heaven and earth, astronomy, meteorology, medicine was no part of Jewish tradition - but was familiar to educated Greeks, but attempting to emulate and surpass Greek wisdom, by having an integrating divine plan for destiny, elaborated through an angelic host with which Enoch is in communication through his mystical travels."
    - Chris King, "The Apocalyptic Tradition"

Although the Book of Enoch is considered as apocryphal, it was clearly known to early Christian writers as the following quote from 1 Enoch 1:9 indicates:

"In the seventh (generation) from Adam Enoch also prophesied these things, saying: 'Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners spoke against him'."
    - Jude 14-15
2 Enoch
"2 Enoch, or the Slavonic Apocalypse of Enoch, was written late first century C.E. in Egypt by a Jew. It survives only in late Old Slavonic manuscripts. It may have been composed originally in Aramaic or Hebrew, later being translated into Greek, and later still being translated into Old Slavonic. It is an amplification of Gen 5:21-32 (from Enoch to the Flood). Major theological themes include:
    (1) God created the world out of nothing (24:2);
    (2) seven heavens (30:2-3) and angelic hosts;
    (3) God created the souls of men before the foundation of the earth (23:5);
    (4) abodes of heaven and hell are already prepared for righteous and sinners; and
    (5) ethical teachings, which at times parallel those of the NT and Proverbs."
    - Craig A. Evans, Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation, (1992) p. 23



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Date: 07/22/2000 Author: David Chariot "beth_marcaboth@hotmail.com" posted in alt.religion.christian.pentecostal
-BEGIN

About the Book of Enoch
(also known as "Ethiopian Enoch" or "1 Enoch")

The Book of Enoch (also known as 1 Enoch) was once cherished by Jews and Christians alike, this book later fell into disfavor with powerful theologians - precisely because of its controversial statements on the nature and deeds of the fallen angels.

The Enochian writings, in addition to many other writings that were excluded (or lost) from the Bible (i.e., the Book of Tobit, Esdras, etc.) were widely recognized by many of the early church fathers as "apocryphal" writings.  The term "apocrypha" is derived from the Greek word meaning "hidden" or "secret".  Originally, the import of the term may have been complimentary in that the term was applied to sacred books whose contents were too exalted to be made available to the general public.

In Dan. 12:9-10 we hear of words that are shut up until the end of time and, words that the wise shall understand and the wicked shall not. In addition, 4 Ezra 14:44ff. mentions 94 books, of which 24 (the OT) were to be published and 70 were to be delivered only to the wise among the people (= apocrypha). Gradually, the term "apocrypha" took on a pejorative connotation, for the orthodoxy of these hidden books was often questionable. Origen (Comm. in Matt. 10.18; p. 13.881)
distinguished between books that were to be read in public worship and apocryphal books. Because these secret books were often preserved for use within the esoteric circles of the divinely - knit believers, many of the critically - spirited or "unenlightened" Church Fathers found themselves outside the realm of understanding, and therefore came to apply the term "apocryphal" to, what they claimed to be, heretical works which were forbidden to be read.

In Protestant parlance, "the Apocrypha" designate 15 works, all but one of which are Jewish in origin and found in the Septuagint (parts of 2 Esdras are Christian and Latin in origin).  Although some of them were composed in Palestine in Aramaic or Hebrew, they were not accepted into the Jewish canon formed late in the 2nd cent. AD (Canonicity, 67:31-35). The Reformers, influenced by the Jewish canon of the OT, did not consider these books on a par with the rest of the Scriptures; thus the custom arose of making the Apocrypha a separate section in the
Protestant Bible, or sometimes even of omitting them entirely
(Canonicity, 67:44-46). The Catholic view, expressed as a doctrine of faith at the Council of Trent, is that 12 of these 15 works (in a different enumeration, however) are canonical Scripture; they are called the Deuterocanonical Books (Canonicity, 67:21, 42-43).

The three books of the Protestant Apocrypha that are not accepted by Catholics are 1-2 Esdras and the Prayer of Manasseh. The theme of the Book of Enoch dealing with the nature and deeds of the fallen angels so infuriated the later Church fathers that one, Filastrius, actually condemned it openly as heresy (Filastrius, Liber de Haeresibus, no. 108). Nor did the rabbis deign to give credence to the book's teaching about angels. Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai in the second century A.D. pronounced a curse upon those who believed it (Delitzsch, p. 223). So the book was denounced, banned, cursed, no doubt burned and
shredded - and last but not least, lost (and conveniently forgotten) for a thousand years. But with an uncanny persistence, the Book of Enoch found its way back into circulation two centuries ago.

In 1773, rumors of a surviving copy of the book drew Scottish explorer James Bruce to distant Ethiopia. True to hearsay, the Book of Enoch had been preserved by the Ethiopic church, which put it right alongside the other books of the Bible. Bruce secured not one, but three Ethiopic copies of the book and brought them back to Europe and Britain. When in 1821 Dr. Richard Laurence, a Hebrew professor at Oxford, produced the first English translation of the work, the modern world gained its first glimpse of the forbidden mysteries of Enoch.

Most scholars say that the present form of the story in the Book of Enoch was penned sometime during the second century B.C. and was popular for at least five hundred years. The earliest Ethiopic text was apparently made from a Greek manuscript of the Book of Enoch, which itself was a copy of an earlier text. The original was apparently written in Semitic language, now thought to be Aramaic.

Though it was once believed to be post-Christian (the similarities to Christian terminology and teaching are striking), recent discoveries of copies of the book among the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran prove that the book was in existence before the time of Jesus Christ. But the date of the original writing upon which the second century B.C. Qumran copies were based is shrouded in obscurity. It is, in a word, old.  It has been largely the opinion of historians that the book does not really contain the authentic words of the ancient biblical patriarch Enoch, since he would have lived (based on the chronologies in the Book of Genesis) several thousand years earlier than the first known appearance of the book attributed to him.

Despite its unknown origins, Christians once accepted the words of this Book of Enoch as authentic scripture, especially the part about the fallen angels and their prophesied judgment. In fact, many of the key concepts used by Jesus Christ himself seem directly connected to terms and ideas in the Book of Enoch.  Thus, it is hard to avoid the  conclusion that Jesus had not only studied the book, but also respected it highly enough to adopt and elaborate on its specific descriptions of the coming kingdom and its theme of inevitable judgment descending upon "the wicked" - the term most often used in the Old Testament to describe the Watchers.  

There is abundant proof that Christ approved of the Book of Enoch. Over a hundred phrases in the New Testament find precedents in the Book of Enoch.  Another remarkable bit of evidence for the early Christians' acceptance of the Book of Enoch was for many years buried under the King James Bible's mistranslation of Luke 9:35, describing the  
transfiguration of Christ: "And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved Son: hear him." Apparently the translator here wished to make this verse agree with a similar verse in Matthew and Mark. But Luke's verse in the original Greek reads: "This is my Son, the Elect One (from the Greek ho eklelegmenos, lit., "the elect one"): hear him."  The "Elect One" is a most significant term (found fourteen times) in the Book of Enoch.  If the book was indeed known to the apostles of Christ, with its abundant descriptions of the Elect One who should "sit upon the throne of glory" and the Elect One who should "dwell in the midst of them," then the great scriptural authenticity is accorded to the Book of Enoch when the "voice out of the cloud" tells the apostles, "This is my Son, the Elect One" - the one promised in the Book of Enoch.

The Book of Jude tells us in vs. 14 that "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied..." Jude also, in vs. 15, makes a direct reference to the Book of Enoch (2:1), where he writes, "to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly..." The time difference between Enoch and Jude is approximately 3400 years. Therefore, Jude's reference to the Enochian prophesies strongly leans toward the conclusion that these written prophesies were available to him at that time.

Fragments of ten Enoch manuscripts were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.  The famous scrolls actually comprise only one part of the total findings at Qumran. Much of the rest was Enochian literature, copies of the Book of Enoch, and other apocryphal works in the Enochian tradition, like the Book of Jubilees. With so many copies around, the Essenes could well have used the Enochian writings as a community prayer book or teacher's manual and study text.

The Book of Enoch was also used by writers of the noncanonical (i.e. apocryphal or "hidden") texts. The author of the apocryphal Epistle of Barnabas quotes the Book of Enoch three times, twice calling it "the Scripture," a term specifically denoting the inspired Word of God (Epis. of Barnabas 4:3, 16:5,6). Other apocryphal works reflect knowledge of the Enoch story of the Watchers, notably the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs and the Book of Jubilees.  

Many of the early church fathers also supported the Enochian writings. Justin Martyr ascribed all evil to demons whom he alleged to be the offspring of the angels who fell through lust for women (from the Ibid.)-directly referencing the Enochian writings.  Athenagoras, writing in his work called Legatio in about 170 A.D., regards Enoch as a true prophet. He describes the angels which "violated both their own nature and their office."  In his writings, he goes into detail about the nature of fallen angels and the cause of their fall, which comes directly from the Enochian writings.

Many other church fathers: Tatian (110-172); Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons (115-185); Clement of Alexandria (150-220); Tertullian (160-230); Origen (186-255); Lactantius (260-330); in addition to: Methodius of Philippi, Minucius Felix, Commodianus, and Ambrose of Milanalso-also approved of and supported the Enochian writings.  

The twentieth-century discovery of several Aramaic Enochian texts among the Dead Sea Scrolls prompted Catholic scholar J.T. Milik to compile a complete history of the Enochian writings, including translations of the Aramaic manuscripts.  Milik's 400-page book, published in 1976 by Oxford (J. T. Milik, ed. and trans., The Books of Enoch: Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1976) is a milestone in Enochian scholarship, and Milik himself is no doubt one of the finest experts on the subject. His opinions, based as they are on years of in-depth research, are highly respected.

One by one the arguments against the Book of Enoch fade away. The day may soon arrive when the final complaints about the Book of Enoch's lack of historicity and "late date" are also silenced by new evidence of the book's real antiquity.

- END

Chapter 1



Enoch抯 encounter with the two angels of God

1There was a wise man, a great artificer, and the Lord conceived love for him and received him, that he should behold the uppermost dwellings and be an eye-witness of the wise and great and inconceivable and immutable realm of God Almighty, of the very wonderful and glorious and bright and many-eyed station of the Lord抯 servants, and of the inaccessible throne of the Lord, and of the degrees and manifestations of the incorporeal hosts, and of the ineffable ministration of the multitude of the elements, and of the various apparition and inexpressible singing of the host of Cherubim, and of the boundless light.

2At that time, he said, when my one hundred and sixty-fifth year was completed, I begat my son Mathusal.

3After this too I lived two hundred years and completed of all the years of my life three hundred and sixty-five years.

4On the first day of the month I was in my house alone and was resting on my bed and slept.

5And when I was asleep, great distress came up into my heart, and I was weeping with my eyes in sleep, and I could not understand what this distress was, or what would happen to me.

6And there appeared to me two men, exceeding big, so that I never saw such on earth; their faces were shining like the sun, their eyes too were like a burning light, and from their lips was fire coming forth with clothing and singing of various kinds in appearance purple, their wings were brighter than gold, their hands whiter than snow.

7They were standing at the head of my bed and began to call me by my name.

8And I arose from my sleep and saw clearly those two men standing in front of me.

9And I saluted them and was seized with fear and the appearance of my face was changed from terror, and those men said to me:

10Have courage, Enoch, do not fear; the eternal God sent us to you, and lo! You shalt to-day ascend with us into heaven, and you shall tell your sons and all your household all that they shall do without you on earth in your house, and let no one seek you till the Lord return you to them.

11And I made haste to obey them and went out from my house, and made to the doors, as it was ordered me, and summoned my sons Mathusal and Regim and Gaidad and made known to them all the marvels those men had told me.

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Chapter 2



The instruction of Enoch to his sons

1Listen to me, my children, I know not whither I go, or what will befall me; now therefore, my children, I tell you: turn not from God before the face of the vain, who made not Heaven and earth, for these shall perish and those who worship them, and may the Lord make confident your hearts in the fear of him. And now, my children, let no one think to seek me, until the Lord return me to you.

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Chapter 3



Of Enoch's assumption; how the angels took him into the first heaven

1It came to pass, when Enoch had told his sons, that the angels took him on to their wings and bore him up on to the first heaven and placed him on the clouds. And there I looked, and again I looked higher, and saw the ether, and they placed me on the first heaven and showed me a very great Sea, greater than the earthly sea.

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Chapter 4



Of the angels ruling the stars

1They brought before my face the elders and rulers of the stellar orders, and showed me two hundred angels, who rule the stars and their services to the heavens, and fly with their wings and come round all those who sail.

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Chapter 5



Of how the angels keep the store-houses of the snow

1And here I looked down and saw the treasure-houses of the snow, and the angels who keep their terrible store-houses, and the clouds whence they come out and into which they go.

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Chapter 6



Of the dew and of the olive-oil, and various flowers

1They showed me the treasure-house of the dew, like oil of the olive, and the appearance of its form, as of all the flowers of the earth; further many angels guarding the treasure-houses of these things, and how they are made to shut and open.

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Chapter 7



Of how Enoch was taken on to the second heaven

1And those men took me and led me up on to the second heaven, and showed me darkness, greater than earthly darkness, and there I saw prisoners hanging, watched, awaiting the great and boundless judgment, and these angels were dark-looking, more than earthly darkness, and incessantly making weeping through all hours.

2And I said to the men who were with me: Wherefore are these incessantly tortured? They answered me: These are God抯 apostates, who obeyed not God抯 commands, but took counsel with their own will, and turned away with their prince, who also is fastened on the fifth heaven.

3And I felt great pity for them, and they saluted me, and said to me: Man of God, pray for us to the Lord; and I answered to them: Who am I, a mortal man, that I should pray for angels? Who knows whither I go, or what will befall me? Or who will pray for me?

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Chapter 8



Of the assumption of Enoch to the third heaven

1And those men took me thence, and led me up on to the third heaven, and placed me there; and I looked downwards, and saw the produce of these places, such as has never been known for goodness.

2And I saw all the sweet-flowering trees and beheld their fruits, which were sweet-smelling, and all the foods borne by them bubbling with fragrant exhalation.

3And in the midst of the trees that of life, in that place whereon the Lord rests, when he goes up into paradise; and this tree is of ineffable goodness and fragrance, and adorned more than every existing thing; and on all sides it is in form gold-looking and vermilion and fire-like and covers all, and it has produce from all fruits.

4Its root is in the garden at the earth抯 end.

5And paradise is between corruptibility and incorruptibility.

6And two springs come out which send forth honey and milk, and their springs send forth oil and wine, and they separate into four parts, and go round with quiet course, and go down into the PARADISE OF EDEN, between corruptibility and incorruptibility.

7And thence they go forth along the earth, and have a revolution to their circle even as other elements.

8And here there is no unfruitful tree, and every place is blessed.

9And there are three hundred angels very bright, who keep the garden, and with incessant sweet singing and never-silent voices serve the Lord throughout all days and hours.

10And I said: How very sweet is this place, and those men said to me:

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Chapter 9



The showing to Enoch of the place of the righteous and compassionate

1This place, O Enoch, is prepared for the righteous, who endure all manner of offence from those that exasperate their souls, who avert their eyes from iniquity, and make righteous judgment, and give bread to the hungering, and cover the naked with clothing, and raise up the fallen, and help injured orphans, and who walk without fault before the face of the Lord, and serve him alone, and for them is prepared this place for eternal inheritance.

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Chapter 10



Here they showed Enoch the terrible place and various tortures

1And those two men led me up on to the Northern side, and showed me there a very terrible place, and there were all manner of tortures in that place: cruel darkness and unillumined gloom, and there is no light there, but murky fire constantly flaming aloft, and there is a fiery river coming forth, and that whole place is everywhere fire, and everywhere there is frost and ice, thirst and shivering, while the bonds are very cruel, and the angels fearful and merciless, bearing angry weapons, merciless torture, and I said:

2Woe, woe, how very terrible is this place.

3And those men said to me: This place, O Enoch, is prepared for those who dishonour God, who on earth practice sin against nature, which is child-corruption after the sodomitic fashion, magic-making, enchantments and devilish witchcrafts, and who boast of their wicked deeds, stealing, lies, calumnies, envy, rancour, fornication, murder, and who, accursed, steal the souls of men, who, seeing the poor take away their goods and themselves wax rich, injuring them for other men抯 goods; who being able to satisfy the empty, made the hungering to die; being able to clothe, stripped the naked; and who knew not their creator, and bowed to the soulless and lifeless gods, who cannot see nor hear, vain gods, who also built hewn images and bow down to unclean handiwork, for all these is prepared this place among these, for eternal inheritance.

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Chapter 11



Here they took Enoch up on to the fourth heaven where is the course of sun and moon

1Those men took me, and led me up on to the fourth heaven, and showed me all the successive goings, and all the rays of the light of sun and moon.

2And I measure their goings, and compared their light, and saw that the sun抯 light is greater than the moon抯.

3Its circle and the wheels on which it goes always, like the wind going past with very marvellous speed, and day and night it has no rest.

4Its passage and return are accompanied by four great stars, and each star has under it a thousand stars, to the right of the sun抯 wheel, and by four to the left, each having under it a thousand stars, altogether eight thousand, issuing with the sun continually.

5And by day fifteen myriads of angels attend it, and by night a thousand.

6And six-winged ones issue with the angels before the sun抯 wheel into the fiery flames, and a hundred angels kindle the sun and set it alight.

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Chapter 12



Of the very marvellous elements of the sun

1And I looked and saw other flying elements of the sun, whose names are Phoenixes and Chalkydri, marvellous and wonderful, with feet and tails in the form of a lion, and a crocodile抯 head, their appearance is empurpled, like the rainbow; their size is nine hundred measures, their wings are like those of angels, each has twelve, and they attend and accompany the sun, bearing heat and dew, as it is ordered them from God.

2Thus the sun revolves and goes, and rises under the heaven, and its course goes under the earth with the light of its rays incessantly.

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Chapter 13



The angels took Enoch and placed him in the east at the sun抯 gates

1Those men bore me away to the east, and placed me at the sun抯 gates, where the sun goes forth according to the regulation of the seasons and the circuit of the months of the whole year, and the number of the hours day and night.

2And I saw six gates open, each gate having sixty-one stadia and a quarter of one stadium, and I measured them truly, and understood their size to be so much, through which the sun goes forth, and goes to the west, and is made even, and rises throughout all the months, and turns back again from the six gates according to the succession of the seasons; thus the period of the whole year is finished after the returns of the four seasons.

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Chapter 14



They took Enoch to the west

1And again those men led me away to the western parts, and showed me six great gates open corresponding to the eastern gates, opposite to where the sun sets, according to the number of the days three hundred and sixty-five and a quarter.

2Thus again it goes down to the western gates, and draws away its light, the greatness of its brightness, under the earth; for since the crown of its shining is in heaven with the Lord, and guarded by four hundred angels, while the sun goes round on wheel under the earth, and stands seven great hours in night, and spends half its course under the earth, when it comes to the eastern approach in the eighth hour of the night, it brings its lights, and the crown of shining, and the sun flames forth more than fire.

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Chapter 15



The elements of the sun, the Phoenixes and Chalkydri broke into song

1Then the elements of the sun, called Phoenixes and Chalkydri break into song, therefore every bird flutters with its wings, rejoicing at the giver of light, and they broke into song at the command of the Lord.

2The giver of light comes to give brightness to the whole world, and the morning guard takes shape, which is the rays of the sun, and the sun of the earth goes out, and receives its brightness to light up the whole face of the earth, and they showed me this calculation of the sun抯 going.

3And the gates which it enters, these are the great gates of the calculation of the hours of the year; for this reason the sun is a great creation, whose circuit lasts twenty-eight years, and begins again from the beginning.

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Chapter 16



They took Enoch and again placed him in the east at the course of the moon

1Those men showed me the other course, that of the moon, twelve great gates, crowned from west to east, by which the moon goes in and out of the customary times.

2It goes in at the first gate to the western places of the sun, by the first gates with thirty-one days exactly, by the second gates with thirty-one days exactly, by the third with thirty days exactly, by the fourth with thirty days exactly, by the fifth with thirty-one days exactly, by the sixth with thirty-one days exactly, by the seventh with thirty days exactly, by the eighth with thirty-one days perfectly, by the ninth with thirty-one days exactly, by the tenth with thirty days perfectly, by the eleventh with thirty-one days exactly, by the twelfth with twenty-eight days exactly.

3And it goes through the western gates in the order and number of the eastern, and accomplishes the three hundred and sixty-five and a quarter days of the solar year, while the lunar year has three hundred fifty-four, and there are wanting to it twelve days of the solar circle, which are the lunar epacts of the whole year.

4Thus, too, the great circle contains five hundred and thirty-two years.

5The quarter of a day is omitted for three years, the fourth fulfills it exactly.

6Therefore they are taken outside of heaven for three years and are not added to the number of days, because they change the time of the years to two new months towards completion, to two others towards diminution.

7And when the western gates are finished, it returns and goes to the eastern to the lights, and goes thus day and night about the heavenly circles, lower than all circles, swifter than the heavenly winds, and spirits and elements and angels flying; each angel has six wings.

8It has a sevenfold course in nineteen years.

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Chapter 17



Of the singings of the angels, which it is impossible to describe

1In the midst of the heavens I saw armed soldiers, serving the Lord, with tympana and organs, with incessant voice, with sweet voice, with sweet and incessant voice and various singing, which it is impossible to describe, and which astonishes every mind, so wonderful and marvellous is the singing of those angels, and I was delighted listening to it.

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Chapter 18



Of the taking of Enoch on to the fifth heaven

1The men took me on to the fifth heaven and placed me, and there I saw many and countless soldiers, called Grigori, of human appearance, and their size was greater than that of great giants and their faces withered, and the silence of their mouths perpetual, and their was no service on the fifth heaven, and I said to the men who were with me:

2Wherefore are these very withered and their faces melancholy, and their mouths silent, and wherefore is there no service on this heaven?

3And they said to me: These are the Grigori, who with their prince Satanail rejected the Lord of light, and after them are those who are held in great darkness on the second heaven, and three of them went down on to earth from the Lord抯 throne, to the place Ermon, and broke through their vows on the shoulder of the hill Ermon and saw the daughters of men how good they are, and took to themselves wives, and befouled the earth with their deeds, who in all times of their age made lawlessness and mixing, and giants are born and marvellous big men and great enmity.

4And therefore God judged them with great judgment, and they weep for their brethren and they will be punished on the Lord抯 great day.

5And I said to the Grigori: I saw your brethren and their works, and their great torments, and I prayed for them, but the Lord has condemned them to be under earth till the existing heaven and earth shall end for ever.

6And I said: Wherefore do you wait, brethren, and do not serve before the Lord抯 face, and have not put your services before the Lord抯 face, lest you anger your Lord utterly?

7And they listened to my admonition, and spoke to the four ranks in heaven, and lo! As I stood with those two men four trumpets trumpeted together with great voice, and the Grigori broke into song with one voice, and their voice went up before the Lord pitifully and affectingly.

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Chapter 19



Of the taking of Enoch to the sixth heaven

1And thence those men took me and bore me up on to the sixth heaven, and there I saw seven bands of angels, very bright and very glorious, and their faces shining more than the sun抯 shining, glistening, and there is no difference in their faces, or behaviour, or manner of dress; and these make the orders, and learn the goings of the stars, and the alteration of the moon, or revolution of the sun, and the good government of the world.

2And when they see evildoing they make commandments and instruction, and sweet and loud singing, and all songs of praise.

3These are the archangels (1) who are above angels, measure all life in heaven and on earth, and the angels who are appointed over seasons and years, the angels who are over rivers and sea, and who are over the fruits of the earth, and the angels who are over every grass, giving food to all, to every living thing, and the angels who write all the souls of men, and all their deeds, and their lives before the Lord抯 face; in their midst are six Phoenixes and six Cherubim and six six-winged ones continually with one voice singing one voice, and it is not possible to describe their singing, and they rejoice before the Lord at his footstool.

(1) Archangels. Or, "ruling angels."

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Chapter 20



Hence they took Enoch into the seventh heaven

1And those two men lifted me up thence on to the seventh heaven, and I saw there a very great light, and fiery troops of great archangels (2), incorporeal forces, and dominions, orders and governments, cherubim and seraphim, thrones and many-eyed ones, nine regiments, the Ioanit stations of light, and I became afraid, and began to tremble with great terror, and those men took me, and led me after them, and said to me:

(2) Archangels. Or, "chief angels."

2Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, and showed me the Lord from afar, sitting on His very high throne. For what is there on the tenth heaven, since the Lord dwells there?

3On the tenth heaven is God, in the Hebrew tongue he is called Aravat (3).

(3) Aravat. Or, "Father of creation."

4And all the heavenly troops would come and stand on the ten steps according to their rank, and would bow down to the Lord, and would again go to their places in joy and felicity, singing songs in the boundless light with small and tender voices, gloriously serving him.

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Chapter 21



Of how the angels here left Enoch, at the end of the seventh heaven, and went away from him unseen

1And the cherubim and seraphim standing about the throne, the six-winged and many-eyed ones do not depart, standing before the Lord抯 face doing his will, and cover his whole throne, singing with gentle voice before the Lord抯 face: Holy, holy, holy, Lord Ruler of Sabaoth, heavens and earth are full of Your glory.

2When I saw all these things, those men said to me: Enoch, thus far is it commanded us to journey with you, and those men went away from me and thereupon I saw them not.

3And I remained alone at the end of the seventh heaven and became afraid, and fell on my face and said to myself: Woe is me, what has befallen me?

4And the Lord sent one of his glorious ones, the archangel (4) Gabriel, and he said to me: Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, arise before the Lord抯 face into eternity, arise, come with me.

(4) Archangel. Or, "one of the seven highest angels, named Gabriel."

5And I answered him, and said in myself: My Lord, my soul is departed from me, from terror and trembling, and I called to the men who led me up to this place, on them I relied, and it is with them I go before the Lord抯 face.

6And Gabriel caught me up, as a leaf caught up by the wind, and placed me before the Lord抯 face.

7And I saw the eighth heaven, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Muzaloth, changer of the seasons, of drought, and of wet, and of the twelve constellations of the circle of the firmament, which are above the seventh heaven.

8And I saw the ninth heaven, which is called in Hebrew Kuchavim, where are the heavenly homes of the twelve constellations of the circle of the firmament.

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Chapter 22



In the tenth heaven the archangel Michael led Enoch to before the Lord抯 face

1On the tenth heaven, which is called Aravoth, I saw the appearance of the Lord抯 face, like iron made to glow in fire, and brought out, emitting sparks, and it burns.

2Thus in a moment of eternity I saw the Lord抯 face, but the Lord抯 face is ineffable, marvellous and very awful, and very, very terrible.

3And who am I to tell of the Lord抯 unspeakable being, and of his very wonderful face? And I cannot tell the quantity of his many instructions, and various voices, the Lord's throne is very great and not made with hands, nor the quantity of those standing round him, troops of cherubim and seraphim, nor their incessant singing, nor his immutable beauty, and who shall tell of the ineffable greatness of his glory.

4And I fell prone and bowed down to the Lord, and the Lord with his lips said to me:

5Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, arise and stand before my face into eternity.

6And the archistratege (5) Michael lifted me up, and led me to before the Lord抯 face.

(5) Archistratege. Or, "the commander of the armies of the nations, named Michael."

7And the Lord said to his servants tempting them: Let Enoch stand before my face into eternity, and the glorious ones bowed down to the Lord, and said: Let Enoch go according to Your word.

8And the Lord said to Michael: Go and take Enoch from out of his earthly garments, and anoint him with my sweet ointment, and put him into the garments of My glory.

9And Michael did thus, as the Lord told him. He anointed me, and dressed me, and the appearance of that ointment is more than the great light, and his ointment is like sweet dew, and its smell mild, shining like the sun抯 ray, and I looked at myself, and I was like one of his glorious ones (6).

(6) Glorious ones. Or, "one of the seven highest angels."

10And the Lord summoned one of his archangels by name Pravuil, whose knowledge was quicker in wisdom than the other archangels, who wrote all the deeds of the Lord; and the Lord said to Pravuil: Bring out the books from my store-houses, and a reed of quick-writing, and give it to Enoch, and deliver to him the choice and comforting books out of your hand.

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Chapter 23



Of Enoch抯 writing, how he wrote his wonderful jouneyings and the heavenly hosts and himself wrote three hundred and sixty-six books

1And he was telling me all the works of heaven, earth and sea, and all the elements, their passages and goings, and the thunderings of the thunders, the sun and moon, the goings and changes of the stars, the seasons, years, days, and hours, the risings of the wind, the numbers of the angels, and the formation of their songs, and all human things, the tongue of every human song and life, the commandments, instructions, and sweet-voiced singings, and all things that it is fitting to learn.

2And Pravuil told me: All the things that I have told you, we have written. Sit and write all the souls of mankind, however many of them are born, and the places prepared for them to eternity; for all souls are prepared to eternity, before the formation of the world.

3And all double thirty days and thirty nights, and I wrote out all things exactly, and wrote three hundred and sixty-six books.

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Chapter 24



Of the great secrets of God, which God revealed and told Enoch, and spoke with him face to face

1And the Lord summoned me, and said to me: Enoch, sit down on my left with Gabriel.

2And I bowed down to the Lord, and the Lord spoke to me: Enoch, beloved, all that you see, all things that are standing finished I tell to you even before the very beginning, all that I created from non-being, and visible things from invisible.

3Hear, Enoch, and take in these my words, for not to My angels have I told my secret, and I have not told them their rise, nor my endless realm, nor have they understood my creating, which I tell you to-day.

4For before all things were visible, I alone used to go about in the invisible things, like the sun from east to west, and from west to east.

5But even the sun has peace in itself, while I found no peace, because I was creating all things, and I conceived the thought of placing foundations, and of creating visible creation.

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Chapter 25



God relates to Enoch, how out of the very deepest parts came forth the visible and invisible

1I commanded in the very lowest parts, that visible things should come down from invisible, and Adoil (7) came down very great, and I beheld him, and lo! He had a belly of great light.

(7) Adoil. Or, "Light of creation."

2And I said to him: Become undone, Adoil, and let the visible come out of you.

3And he came undone, and a great light came out. And I was in the midst of the great light, and as there is born light from light, there came forth a great age, and showed all creation, which I had thought to create.

4And I saw that it was good.

5And I placed for myself a throne, and took my seat on it, and said to the light: Go thence up higher and fix yourself high above the throne, and be a foundation to the highest things.

6And above the light there is nothing else, and then I bent up and looked up from my throne.

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Chapter 26



God summons from the very deepest a second time that Archas, heavy and very red should come forth

1And I summoned the very lowest a second time, and said: Let Archas (8) come forth hard, and he came forth hard from the invisible.

(8) Archas. Or, "Spirit of creation."

2And Archas came forth, hard, heavy, and very red.

3And I said: Be opened, Archas, and let there be born from you, and he came undone, an age came forth, very great and very dark, bearing the creation of all lower things, and I saw that it was good and said to him:

4Go thence down below, and make yourself firm, and be a foundation for the lower things, and it happened and he went down and fixed himself, and became the foundation for the lower things, and below the darkness there is nothing else.

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Chapter 27



Of how God founded the water, and surrounded it with light, and established on it seven islands

1And I commanded that there should be taken from light and darkness, and I said: Be thick, and it became thus, and I spread it out with the light, and it became water, and I spread it out over the darkness, below the light, and then I made firm the waters, that is to say the bottomless, and I made foundation of light around the water, and created seven circles from inside, and imaged the water like crystal wet and dry, that is to say like glass, and the circumcession of the waters and the other elements, and I showed each one of them its road, and the seven stars each one of them in its heaven, that they go thus, and I saw that it was good.

2And I separated between light and between darkness, that is to say in the midst of the water hither and thither, and I said to the light, that it should be the day, and to the darkness, that it should be the night, and there was evening and there was morning the first day.

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Chapter 28



The week in which God showed Enoch all his wisdom and power, throughout all the seven days, how he created all the heavenly and earthly forces and all moving things even down to man

1And then I made firm the heavenly circle, and made that the lower water which is under heaven collect itself together, into one whole, and that the chaos become dry, and it became so.

2Out of the waves I created rock hard and big, and from the rock I piled up the dry, and the dry I called earth, and the midst of the earth I called abyss, that is to say the bottomless, I collected the sea in one place and bound it together with a yoke.

3And I said to the sea: Behold I give you your eternal limits, and you shalt not break loose from your component parts.

4Thus I made fast the firmament. This day I called me the first-created [Sunday].

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Chapter 29



Then it became evening, and then again morning, and it was the second [Monday]; The fiery essence

1And for all the heavenly troops I imaged the image and essence of fire, and my eye looked at the very hard, firm rock, and from the gleam of my eye the lightning received its wonderful nature, which is both fire in water and water in fire, and one does not put out the other, nor does the one dry up the other, therefore the lightning is brighter than the sun, softer than water and firmer than hard rock.

2And from the rock I cut off a great fire, and from the fire I created the orders of the incorporeal ten troops of angels, and their weapons are fiery and their raiment a burning flame, and I commanded that each one should stand in his order.

3And one from out the order of angels, having turned away with the order that was under him, conceived an impossible thought, to place his throne higher than the clouds above the earth, that he might become equal in rank to my power.

4And I threw him out from the height with his angels, and he was flying in the air continuously above the bottomless.

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Chapter 30



And then I created all the heavens, and the third day was, [Tuesday]

1On the third day I commanded the earth to make grow great and fruitful trees, and hills, and seed to sow, and I planted Paradise, and enclosed it, and placed as armed guardians flaming angels, and thus I created renewal.

2Then came evening, and came morning the fourth day.

3[Wednesday]. On the fourth day I commanded that there should be great lights on the heavenly circles.

4On the first uppermost circle I placed the stars, Kruno, and on the second Aphrodit, on the third Aris, on the fifth Zoues, on the sixth Ermis, on the seventh lesser the moon, and adorned it with the lesser stars.

5And on the lower I placed the sun for the illumination of day, and the moon and stars for the illumination of night.

6The sun that it should go according to each constellation, twelve, and I appointed the succession of the months and their names and lives, their thunderings, and their hour-markings, how they should succeed.

7Then evening came and morning came the fifth day.

8[Thursday]. On the fifth day I commanded the sea, that it should bring forth fishes, and feathered birds of many varieties, and all animals creeping over the earth, going forth over the earth on four legs, and soaring in the air, male sex and female, and every soul breathing the spirit of life.

9And there came evening, and there came morning the sixth day.

10[Friday]. On the sixth day I commanded my wisdom to create man from seven consistencies: one, his flesh from the earth; two, his blood from the dew; three, his eyes from the sun; four, his bones from stone; five, his intelligence from the swiftness of the angels and from cloud; six, his veins and his hair from the grass of the earth; seven, his soul from my breath and from the wind.

11And I gave him seven natures: to the flesh hearing, the eyes for sight, to the soul smell, the veins for touch, the blood for taste, the bones for endurance, to the intelligence sweetness [enjoyment].

12I conceived a cunning saying to say, I created man from invisible and from visible nature, of both are his death and life and image, he knows speech like some created thing, small in greatness and again great in smallness, and I placed him on earth, a second angel, honourable, great and glorious, and I appointed him as ruler to rule on earth and to have my wisdom, and there was none like him of earth of all my existing creatures.

13And I appointed him a name, from the four component parts, from east, from west, from south, from north, and I appointed for him four special stars, and I called his name Adam, and showed him the two ways, the light and the darkness, and I told him:

14This is good, and that bad, that I should learn whether he has love towards me, or hatred, that it be clear which in his race love me.

15For I have seen his nature, but he has not seen his own nature, therefore through not seeing he will sin worse, and I said After sin what is there but death?

16And I put sleep into him and he fell asleep. And I took from him a rib, and created him a wife, that death should come to him by his wife, and I took his last word and called her name mother, that is to say, Eva.

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Chapter 31



God gives over paradise to Adam, and gives him a command to see the heavens opened, and that he should see the angels singing the song of victory

1Adam has life on earth, and I created a garden in Eden in the east, that he should observe the testament and keep the command.

2I made the heavens open to him, that he should see the angels singing the song of victory, and the gloomless light.

3And he was continuously in paradise, and the devil understood that I wanted to create another world, because Adam was lord on earth, to rule and control it.

4The devil is the evil spirit of the lower places, as a fugitive he made Sotona (9) from the heavens as his name was Satanail (10), thus he became different from the angels, but his nature did not change his intelligence as far as his understanding of righteous and sinful things.

(9) Sotona. Or, "Diana."
(10) Satanail. Or, "the impious one." Ha-satan in Hebrew means "the adversary" referring here to the "lead" adversary, or Lucifer.


5And he understood his condemnation and the sin which he had sinned before, therefore he conceived thought against Adam, in such form he entered and seduced Eva, but did not touch Adam.

6But I cursed ignorance, but what I had blessed previously, those I did not curse, I cursed not man, nor the earth, nor other creatures, but man抯 evil fruit, and his works.

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Chapter 32



After Adam抯 sin God sends him away into the earth from where he took him from, but does not wish to ruin him for all years to come

1I said to him: Earth you are, and into the earth whence I took you you shalt go, and I will not ruin you, but send you whence I took you.

2Then I can again receive you at My second presence.

3And I blessed all my creatures visible and invisible. And Adam was five and half hours in paradise.

4And I blessed the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, on which he rested from all his works.

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Chapter 33



God shows Enoch the age of this world, its existence of seven thousand years, and the eighth thousand is the end, neither years, nor months, nor weeks, nor days

1And I appointed the eighth day also, that the eighth day should be the first-created after my work, and that the first seven revolve in the form of the seventh thousand, and that at the beginning of the eighth thousand there should be a time of not-counting, endless, with neither years nor months nor weeks nor days nor hours.

2And now, Enoch, all that I have told you, all that you have understood, all that you have seen of heavenly things, all that you have seen on earth, and all that I have written in books by my great wisdom, all these things I have devised and created from the uppermost foundation to the lower and to the end, and there is no counsellor nor inheritor to my creations.

3I am self-eternal, not made with hands, and without change.

4My thought is my counsellor, my wisdom and my word are made, and my eyes observe all things how they stand here and tremble with terror.

5If I turn away my face, then all things will be destroyed.

6And apply your mind, Enoch, and know him who is speaking to you, and take thence the books which you yourself have written.

7And I give you Samuil (11) and Raguil (12), who led you up, and the books, and go down to earth, and tell your sons all that I have told you, and all that you have seen, from the lower heaven up to my throne, and all the troops.

(11) Samuil. Or, "Sariel."
(12) Raguil. Or, "Raguel."


8For I created all forces, and there is none that resists me or that does not subject himself to me. For all subject themselves to my monarchy, and labour for my sole rule.

9Give them the books of the handwriting, and they will read them and will know me for the creator of all things, and will understand how there is no other God but me.

10And let them distribute the books of your handwriting朿hildren to children, generation to generation, nations to nations.

11And I will give you, Enoch, my intercessor, the archistratege Michael, for the handwritings of your fathers Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahaleleel, and Jared your father.

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Chapter 34



God convicts the idolaters and sodomitic fornicators, and therefore brings down a deluge upon them

1They have rejected my commandments and my yoke, worthless seed has come up, not fearing God, and they would not bow down to me, but have begun to bow down to vain gods, and denied my unity, and have laden the whole earth with untruths, offences, abominable lecheries, namely one with another, and all manner of other unclean wickedness, which are disgusting to relate.

2And therefore I will bring down a deluge upon the earth and will destroy all men, and the whole earth will crumble together into great darkness.

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Chapter 35



God leaves one righteous man of Enoch抯 tribe with his whole house, who did God抯 pleasure according to his will

1Behold from their seed shall arise another generation, much afterwards, but of them many will be very insatiate.

2He who raises that generation, shall reveal to them the books of your handwriting, of your fathers, to them to whom he must point out the guardianship of the world, to the faithful men and workers of my pleasure, who do not acknowledge my name in vain.

3And they shall tell another generation, and those others having read shall be glorified thereafter, more than the first.

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Chapter 36



God commanded Enoch to live on earth thirty days, to give instruction to his sons and to his children抯 children and after thirty days he was again taken on to heaven

1Now, Enoch, I give you the term of thirty days to spend in your house, and tell your sons and all your household, that all may hear from my face what is told them by you, that they may read and understand, how there is no other God but me.

2And that they may always keep my commandments, and begin to read and take in the books of your handwriting.

3And after thirty days I shall send my angel for you, and he will take you from earth and from your sons to me.

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Chapter 37



Here God summons an angel

1And the Lord called upon one of the older angels, terrible and menacing, and placed him by me, in appearance white as snow, and his hands like ice, having the appearance of great frost, and he froze my face, because I could not endure the terror of the Lord, just as it is not possible to endure a stove抯 fire and the sun抯 heat, and the frost of the air.

2And the Lord said to me: Enoch, if your face be not frozen here, no man will be able to behold your face.

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Chapter 38



Mathusal continued to have hope and to await his father Enoch in his house day and night

1And the Lord said to those men who first led me up: Let Enoch go down on to earth with you, and await him till the determined day.

2And they placed me by night on my bed.

3And Mathusal expecting my coming, keeping watch by day and by night at my bed, was filled with awe when he heard my coming, and I told him, Let all my household come together, that I tell them everything.

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Chapter 39



Enoch抯 pitiful admonition to his sons with weeping and great lamentation, as he spoke to them

1Oh my children, my beloved ones, hear the admonition of your father, as much as is according to the Lord抯 will.

2I have been let come to you to-day, and announce to you, not from my lips, but from the Lord抯 lips, all that is and was and all that is now, and all that will be till judgment-day.

3For the Lord has let me come to you, you hear therefore the words of my lips, of a man made big for you, but I am one who has seen the Lord抯 face, like iron made to glow from fire it sends forth sparks and burns.

4You look now upon my eyes, the eyes of a man big with meaning for you, but I have seen the Lord抯 eyes, shining like the sun抯 rays and filling the eyes of man with awe.

5You see now, my children, the right hand of a man that helps you, but I have seen the Lord抯 right hand filling heaven as he helped me.

6You see the compass of my work like your own, but I have seen the Lord抯 limitless and perfect compass, which has no end.

7You hear the words of my lips, as I heard the words of the Lord, like great thunder incessantly with hurling of clouds.

8And now, my children, hear the discourses of the father of the earth, how fearful and awful it is to come before the face of the ruler of the earth, how much more terrible and awful it is to come before the face of the ruler of heaven, the controller of quick and dead, and of the heavenly troops. Who can endure that endless pain?

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Chapter 40



Enoch admonishes his children truly of all things from the Lord抯 lips, how he saw and heard and wrote down

1And now, my children, I know all things, for this is from the Lord抯 lips, and this my eyes have seen, from beginning to end.

2I know all things, and have written all things into books, the heavens and their end, and their plenitude, and all the armies and their marchings.

3I have measured and described the stars, the great countless multitude of them.

4What man has seen their revolutions, and their entrances? For not even the angels see their number, while I have written all their names.

5And I measured the sun抯 circle, and measured its rays, counted the hours, I wrote down too all things that go over the earth, I have written the things that are nourished, and all seed sown and unsown, which the earth produces and all plants, and every grass and every flower, and their sweet smells, and their names, and the dwelling-places of the clouds, and their composition, and their wings, and how they bear rain and raindrops.

6And I investigated all things, and wrote the road of the thunder and of the lightning, and they showed me the keys and their guardians, their rise, the way they go; it is let out gently in measure by a chain, lest by a heavy chain and violence it hurl down the angry clouds and destroy all things on earth.

7I wrote the treasure-houses of the snow, and the store-houses of the cold and the frosty airs, and I observed their season抯 key-holder, he fills the clouds with them, and does not exhaust the treasure-houses.

8And I wrote the resting-places of the winds and observed and saw how their key-holders bear weighing-scales and measures; first, they put them in one weighing-scale, then in the other the weights and let them out according to measure cunningly over the whole earth, lest by heavy breathing they make the earth to rock.

9And I measured out the whole earth, its mountains, and all hills, fields, trees, stones, rivers, all existing things I wrote down, the height from earth to the seventh heaven, and downwards to the very lowest hell, and the judgment-place, and the very great, open and weeping hell.

10And I saw how the prisoners are in pain, expecting the limitless judgment.

11And I wrote down all those being judged by the judge, and all their judgment and sentences and all their works.

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Chapter 41



Of how Enoch lamented Adam抯 sin

1And I saw all forefathers from all time with Adam and Eva, and I sighed and broke into tears and said of the ruin of their dishonour:

2Woe is me for my infirmity and for that of my forefathers, and thought in my heart and said:

3Blessed is the man who has not been born or who has been born and shall not sin before the Lord抯 face, that he come not into this place, nor bring the yoke of this place.

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Chapter 42



Of how Enoch saw the key-holders and guards of the gates of hell standing

1I saw the key-holders and guards of the gates of hell standing, like great serpents, and their faces like extinguishing lamps, and their eyes of fire, their sharp teeth, and I saw all the Lord抯 works, how they are right, while the works of man are some good, and others bad, and in their works are known those who lie evilly.

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Chapter 43



Enoch shows his children how he measured and wrote out God抯 judgments

1I, my children, measured and wrote out every work and every measure and every righteous judgment.

2As one year is more honourable than another, so is one man more honourable than another, some for great possessions, some for wisdom of heart, some for particular intellect, some for cunning, one for silence of lip, another for cleanliness, one for strength, another for comeliness, one for youth, another for sharp wit, one for shape of body, another for sensibility, let it be heard everywhere, but there is none better than he who fears God, he shall be more glorious in time to come.

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Chapter 44



Enoch instructs his sons, that they revile not the face of man, small or great

1The Lord with his hands having created man, in the likeness of his own face, the Lord made him small and great.

2Whoever reviles the ruler抯 face, and abhors the Lord抯 face, has despised the Lord's face, and he who vents anger on any man without injury, the Lord抯 great anger will cut him down, he who spits on the face of man reproachfully, will be cut down at the Lord抯 great judgment.

3Blessed is the man who does not direct his heart with malice against any man, and helps the injured and condemned, and raises the broken down, and shall do charity to the needy, because on the day of the great judgment every weight, every measure and every makeweight will be as in the market, that is to say they are hung on scales and stand in the market, and every one shall learn his own measure, and according to his measure shall take his reward.

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Chapter 45



God shows how he does not want from men sacrifices, nor burnt-offerings, but pure and contrite hearts

1Whoever hastens to make offerings before the Lord抯 face, the Lord for his part will hasten that offering by granting of his work.

2But whoever increases his lamp before the Lord抯 face and make not true judgment, the Lord will not increase his treasure in the realm of the highest.

3When the Lord demands bread, or candles, or the flesh of beasts, or any other sacrifice, then that is nothing; but God demands pure hearts, and with all that only tests the heart of man.

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Chapter 46



Of how an earthly ruler does not accept from man abominable and unclean gifts, then how much more does God abominate unclean gifts, but sends them away with wrath and does not accept his gifts

1Hear, my people, and take in the words of my lips.

2If any one bring any gifts to an earthly ruler, and have disloyal thoughts in his heart, and the ruler know this, will he not be angry with him, and not refuse his gifts, and not give him over to judgment?

3Or if one man make himself appear good to another by deceit of tongue, but have evil in his heart, then will not the other understand the treachery of his heart, and himself be condemned, since his untruth was plain to all?

4And when the Lord shall send a great light, then there will be judgment for the just and the unjust, and there no one shall escape notice.

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Chapter 47



Enoch instructs his sons from God抯 lips, and hands them the handwriting of this book

1And now, my children, lay thought on your hearts, mark well the words of your father, which are all come to you from the Lord抯 lips.

2Take these books of your father抯 handwriting and read them.

3For the books are many, and in them you will learn all the Lord抯 works, all that has been from the beginning of creation, and will be till the end of time.

4And if you will observe my handwriting, you will not sin against the Lord; because there is no other except the Lord, neither in heaven, nor in earth, nor in the very lowest places, nor in the one foundation.

5The Lord has placed the foundations in the unknown, and has spread forth heavens visible and invisible; he fixed the earth on the waters, and created countless creatures, and who has counted the water and the foundation of the unfixed, or the dust of the earth, or the sand of the sea, or the drops of the rain, or the morning dew, or the wind抯 breathings? Who has filled earth and sea, and the indissoluble winter?

6I cut the stars out of fire, and decorated heaven, and put it in their midst.

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Chapter 48



Of the sun抯 passage along the seven circles

1That the sun go along the seven heavenly circles, which are the appointment of one hundred and eighty-two thrones, that it go down on a short day, and again one hundred and eighty-two, that it go down on a big day, and he has two thrones on which he rests, revolving hither and thither above the thrones of the months, from the seventeenth day of the month Tsivan it goes down to the month Thevan, from the seventeenth of Thevan it goes up.

2And thus it goes close to the earth, then the earth is glad and makes grow its fruits, and when it goes away, then the earth is sad, and trees and all fruits have no florescence.

3All this he measured, with good measurement of hours, and fixed a measure by his wisdom, of the visible and the invisible.

4From the invisible he made all things visible, himself being invisible.

5Thus I make known to you, my children, and distribute the books to your children, into all your generations, and amongst the nations who shall have the sense to fear God, let them receive them, and may they come to love them more than any food or earthly sweets, and read them and apply themselves to them.

6And those who understand not the Lord, who fear not God, who accept not, but reject, who do not receive the books, a terrible judgment awaits these.

7Blessed is the man who shall bear their yoke and shall drag them along, for he shall be released on the day of the great judgment.

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Chapter 49



Enoch instructs his sons not to swear either by heaven or earth, and shows God抯 promise, even in the mother抯 womb

1I swear to you, my children, but I swear not by any oath, neither by heaven nor by earth, nor by any other creature which God created.

2The Lord said: There is no oath in me, nor injustice, but truth.

3If there is no truth in men, let them swear by the words, Yea, yea, or else, Nay, nay.

4And I swear to you, yea, yea, that there has been no man in his mother抯 womb, but that already before, even to each one there is a place prepared for the repose of that soul, and a measure fixed how much it is intended that a man be tried in this world.

5Yea, children, deceive not yourselves, for there has been previously prepared a place for every soul of man.

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Chapter 50



Of how none born on earth can remain hidden nor his work remain concealed, but God bids us to be meek, to endure attack and insult, and not to offend widows and orphans

1I have put every man抯 work in writing and none born on earth can remain hidden nor his works remain concealed.

2I see all things.

3Now therefore, my children, in patience and meekness spend the number of your days, that you inherit endless life.

4Endure for the sake of the Lord every wound, every injury, every evil word and attack.

5If ill-requitals befall you, return them not either to neighbour or enemy, because the Lord will return them for you and be your avenger on the day of great judgment, that there be

Chapter 61



1Thus the Lord commanded the kings, the princes, the exalted, and those who dwell on earth, saying, Open your eyes, and lift up your horns, if you are capable of comprehending the Elect One.

2The Lord of spirits sat upon the throne of his glory.

3And the spirit of righteousness was poured out over him.

4The word of his mouth shall destroy all the sinners and all the ungodly, who shall perish at his presence.

5In that day shall all the kings, the princes, the exalted, and those who possess the earth, stand up, behold, and perceive, that he is sitting on the throne of his glory; that before him the saints shall be judged in righteousness;

6And that nothing, which shall be spoken before him, shall be spoken in vain.

7Trouble shall come upon them, as upon a woman in travail, whose labour is severe, when her child comes to the mouth of the womb, and she finds it difficult to bring forth.

8One portion of them shall look upon another. They shall be astonished, and shall humble their countenance;

9And trouble shall seize them, when they shall behold this Son of woman sitting upon the throne of his glory.

10Then shall the kings, the princes, and all who possess the earth, glorify him who has dominion over all things, him who was concealed; for from the beginning the Son of man existed in secret, whom the Most High preserved in the presence of his power, and revealed to the elect.

11He shall sow the congregation of the saints, and of the elect; and all the elect shall stand before him in that day.

12All the kings, the princes, the exalted, and those who rule over all the earth, shall fall down on their faces before him, and shall worship him.

13They shall fix their hopes on this Son of man, shall pray to him, and petition him for mercy.

14Then shall the Lord of spirits hasten to expel them from his presence. Their faces shall be full of confusion, and their faces shall darkness cover. The angels shall take them to punishment, that vengeance may be inflicted on those who have oppressed his children and his elect. And they shall become an example to the saints and to his elect. Through them shall these be made joyful; for the anger of the Lord of spirits shall rest upon them.

15Then the sword of the Lord of spirits shall be drunk with their blood; but the saints and elect shall be safe in that day; nor the face of the sinners and the ungodly shall they thenceforwards behold.

16The Lord of spirits shall remain over them:

17And with this Son of man shall they dwell, eat, lie down, and rise up, for ever and ever.

18The saints and the elect have arisen from the earth, have left off to depress their countenances, and have been clothed with the garment of life. That garment of life is with the Lord of spirits, in whose presence your garment shall not wax old, nor shall your glory diminish.

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Chapter 62



1In those days the kings who possess the earth shall be punished by the angels of his wrath, wheresoever they shall be delivered up, that he may give rest for a short period; and that they may fall down and worship before the Lord of spirits, confessing their sins before him.

2They shall bless and glorify the Lord of spirits, saying, Blessed is the Lord of spirits, the Lord of kings, the Lord of princes, the Lord of the rich, the Lord of glory, and the Lord of wisdom.

3He shall enlighten every secret thing.

4Your power is from generation to generation; and your glory for ever and ever.

5Deep are all your secrets, and numberless; and your righteousness cannot be calculated.

6Now we know, that we should glorify and bless the Lord of kings, him who is King over all things.

7They shall also say, Who has granted us rest to glorify, laud, bless, and confess in the presence of his glory?

8And now small is the rest we desire; but we do not find it; we reject, and do not possess it. Light has passed away from before us; and darkness has covered our thrones for ever.

9 For we have not confessed before him; we have not glorified the name of the Lord of kings; we have not glorified the Lord in all his works; but we have trusted in the sceptre of our dominion and of our glory.

10In the day of our suffering and of our trouble he will not save us, neither shall we find rest. We confess that our Lord is faithful in all his works, in all his judgments, and in his righteousness.

11In his judgments he pays no respect to persons; and we must depart from his presence, on account of our evil deeds.

12All our sins are truly without number.

13Then shall they say to themselves, Our souls are satiated with the instruments of crime;

14But that prevents us not from descending to the flaming womb of hell.

15Afterwards, their countenances shall be filled with darkness and confusion before the Son of man; from whose presence they shall be expelled, and before whom the sword shall remain to expel them.

16Thus saith the Lord of spirits, This is the decree and the judgment against the princes, the kings, the exalted, and those who possess the earth, in the presence of the Lord of spirits.

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Chapter 63



1I saw also other countenances in that secret place. I heard the voice of an angel, saying, These are the angels who have descended from heaven to earth, and have revealed secrets to the sons of men, and have seduced the sons of men to the commission of sin.

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Chapter 64 (57)



(57) Chapters 64, 65, 66 and the first verse of 67 evidently contain a vision of Noah and not of Enoch (Laurence, p. 78).

1In those days Noah saw that the earth became inclined, and that destruction approached.

2Then he lifted up his feet, and went to the ends of the earth, to the dwelling of his great-grandfather Enoch.

3And Noah cried with a bitter voice, Hear me; hear me; hear me: three times. And he said, Tell me what is transacting upon the earth; for the earth labours, and is violently shaken. Surely I shall perish with it.

4After this there was a great perturbation on earth, and a voice was heard from heaven. I fell down on my face, when my great-grandfather Enoch came and stood by me.

5He said to me, Why have you cried out to me with a bitter cry and lamentation?

6A commandment has gone forth from the Lord against those who dwell on the earth, that they may be destroyed; for they know every secret of the angels, every oppressive and secret power of the devils, (58) and every power of those who commit sorcery, as well as of those who make molten images in the whole earth.

(58) The devils. Literally, "the Satans" (Laurence, p. 78).

7They know how silver is produced from the dust of the earth, and how on the earth the metallic drop exists; for lead and tin are not produced from earth, as the primary fountain of their production.

8There is an angel standing upon it, and that angel struggles to prevail.

9Afterwards my great-grandfather Enoch seized me with his hand, raising me up, and saying to me, Go, for I have asked the Lord of spirits respecting this perturbation of the earth; who replied, On account of their impiety have their innumerable judgments been consummated before me. Respecting the moons have they inquired, and they have known that the earth will perish with those who dwell upon it, (59) and that to these there will be no place of refuge for ever.

(59) Respecting the moons卍well upon it. Or, "Because of the sorceries which they have searched out and learnt, the earth and those who dwell upon it will be destroyed" (Knibb, p. 155).

10They have discovered secrets, and they are those who have been judged; but not you my son. The Lord of spirits knows that you are pure and good, free from the reproach of discovering secrets.

11He, the holy One, will establish your name in the midst of the saints, and will preserve you from those who dwell upon the earth. He will establish your seed in righteousness, with dominion and great glory; (60) and from your seed shall spring forth righteousness and holy men without number for ever.

(60) With dominion単lory. Literally, "for kings, and for great glory" (Laurence, p. 79).

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Chapter 65



1After this he showed me the angels of punishment, who were prepared to come, and to open all the mighty waters under the earth:

2That they may be for judgment, and for the destruction of all those who remain and dwell upon the earth.

3And the Lord of spirits commanded the angels who went forth, not to take up the men and preserve them.

4For those angels presiding over all the mighty waters. Then I went out from the presence of Enoch.

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Chapter 66



1In those days the word of God came to me, and said, Noah, behold, your lot has ascended up to me, a lot void of crime, a lot beloved and upright.

2Now then shall the angels labour at the trees; (61) but when they proceed to this, I will put my hand upon it, and preserve it.

(61) Shall卨abour at the trees. Or, "are making a wooden (structure)" (Knibb, p. 156).

3The seed of life shall arise from it, and a change shall take place, that the dry land shall not be left empty. I will establish your seed before me for ever and ever, and the seed of those who dwell with you on the surface of the earth. It shall be blessed and multiplied in the presence of the earth, in the name of the Lord.

4And they shall confine those angels who disclosed impiety. In that burning valley it is, that they shall be confined, which at first my great-grandfather Enoch showed me in the west, where there were mountains of gold and silver, of iron, of fluid metal, and of tin.

5I beheld that valley in which there was great perturbation, and where the waters were troubled.

6And when all this was effected, from the fluid mass of fire, and the perturbation which prevailed (62) in that place, there arose a strong smell of sulphur, which became mixed with the waters; and the valley of the angels, who had been guilty of seduction, burned underneath its soil.

(62) The perturbation which prevailed. Literally, "troubled them" (Laurence, p. 81).

7Through that valley also rivers of fire were flowing, to which those angels shall be condemned, who seduced the inhabitants of the earth.

8And in those days shall these waters be to kings, to princes, to the exalted, and to the inhabitants of the earth, for the healing of the soul and body, and for the judgment of the spirit.

9Their spirits shall be full of revelry, (63) that they may be judged in their bodies; because they have denied the Lord of spirits, and although they perceive their condemnation day by day, they believe not in his name.

(63) Revelry. Or, "lust" (Knibb, p. 157).

10And as the inflammation of their bodies shall be great, so shall their spirits undergo a change for ever.

11For no word which is uttered before the Lord of spirits shall be in vain.

12Judgment has come upon them, because they trusted in their carnal revelry, and denied the Lord of spirits.

13In those days shall the waters of that valley be changed; for when the angels shall be judged, then shall the heat of those springs of water experience an alteration.

14And when the angels shall ascend, the water of the springs shall again undergo a change, and be frozen. Then I heard holy Michael answering and saying, This judgment, with which the angels shall be judged, shall bear testimony against the kings, the princes, and those who possess the earth.

15For these waters of judgment shall be for their healing, and for the death (64) of their bodies. But they shall not perceive and believe that the waters will be changed, and become a fire, which shall blaze for ever.

(64) Death. Or, "lust" (Charles, p. 176; Knibb, p. 158).

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Chapter 67



1After this he gave me the characteristical marks (65) of all the secret things in the book of my great-grandfather Enoch, and in the parables which had been given to him; inserting them for me among the words of the book of parables.

(65) Characteristical marks. Literally, "the signs" (Laurence, p. 83).

2At that that time holy Michael answered and said to Raphael, The power of the spirit hurries me away, and impels me on. The severity of the judgment, of the secret judgment of the angels, who is capable of beholding杢he endurance of that severe judgment which has taken place and been made permanent杦ithout being melted at the site of it? Again holy Michael answered and said to holy Raphael, Who is there whose heart is not softened by it, and whose reins are not troubled at this thing?

3Judgment has gone forth against them by those who have thus dragged them away; and that was, when they stood in the presence of the Lord of spirits.

4In like manner also holy Rakael said to Raphael, They shall not be before the eye of the Lord; (66) since the Lord of spirits has been offended with them; for like Lords (67) have they conducted themselves. Therefore will he bring upon them a secret judgment for ever and ever.

(66) They shall not卐ye of the Lord. Or, "I will not take their part under the eye of the Lord" (Knibb, p. 159).
(67) For like Lords. Or, "for they act as if they were Lord" (Knibb, p. 159).


5For neither shall angel nor man receive a portion of it; but they alone shall receive their own judgment for ever end ever.

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Chapter 68



1After this judgment they shall be astonished and irritated; for it shall be exhibited to the inhabitants of the earth.

2Behold the names of those angels. These are their names. The first of them is Samyaza; the second, Arstikapha; the third, Armen; the fourth, Kakabael; the fifth, Turel; the sixth, Rumyel; the seventh, Danyal; the eighth, Kael; the ninth, Barakel; the tenth, Azazel; the eleventh, Armers; the twelfth, Bataryal; the thirteenth, Basasael; the fourteenth, Ananel; the fifteenth, Turyal; the sixteenth, Simapiseel; the seventeenth, Yetarel; the eighteenth, Tumael; the nineteenth, Tarel; the twentieth, Rumel; the twenty-first, Azazyel.

3These are the chiefs of their angels, and the names of the leaders of their hundreds, and the leaders of their fifties, and the leaders of their tens.

4The name of the first is Yekun: (68) he it was who seduced all the sons of the holy angels; and causing them to descend on earth, led astray the offspring of men.

(68) Yekun may simply mean "the rebel" (Knibb, p. 160).

5The name of the second is Kesabel, who pointed out evil counsel to the sons of the holy angels, and induced them to corrupt their bodies by generating mankind.

6The name of the third is Gadrel: he discovered every stroke of death to the children of men.

7He seduced Eve; and discovered to the children of men the instruments of death, the coat of mail, the shield, and the sword for slaughter; every instrument of death to the children of men.

8From his hand were these things derived to them who dwell upon earth, from that period for ever.

9The name of the fourth is Penemue: he discovered to the children of men bitterness and sweetness;

10And pointed out to them every secret of their wisdom.

11He taught men to understand writing, and the use of ink and paper.

12Therefore numerous have been those who have gone astray from every period of the world, even to this day.

13For men were not born for this, thus with pen and with ink to confirm their faith;

14Since they were not created, except that, like the angels, they might remain righteous and pure.

15Nor would death, which destroys everything, have effected them;

16But by this their knowledge they perish, and by this also its power consumes them.

17The name of the fifth is Kasyade: he discovered to the children of men every wicked stroke of spirits and of demons:

18The stroke of the embryo in the womb, to diminish it; (69) the stroke of the spirit by the bite of the serpent, and the stroke which is given in the mid-day by the offspring of the serpent, the name of which is Tabaet. (70)

(69) The stroke卼o diminish it. Or, "the blows (which attack) the embryo in the womb so that it miscarries" (Knibb, p. 162).
(70) Tabaet. Literally, "male" or "strong" (Knibb, p. 162).


19This is the number of the Kasbel; the principal part of the oath which the Most High, dwelling in glory, revealed to the holy ones.

20Its name is Beka. He spoke to holy Michael to discover to them the sacred name, that they might understand that secret name, and thus remember the oath; and that those who pointed out every secret thing to the children of men might tremble at that name and oath.

21This is the power of that oath; for powerful it is, and strong.

22And he established this oath of Akae by the instrumentality of the holy Michael.

23These are the secrets of this oath, and by it were they confirmed.

24Heaven was suspended by it before the world was made, for ever.

25By it has the earth been founded upon the flood; while from the concealed parts of the hills the agitated waters proceed forth from the creation to the end of the world.

26By this oath the sea has been formed, and the foundation of it.

27During the period of its fury he established the sand against it, which continues unchanged for ever; and by this oath the abyss has been made strong; nor is it removable from its station for ever and ever.

28By this oath the sun and moon complete their progress, never swerving from the command given to them for ever and ever.

29By this oath the stars complete their progress;

30And when their names are called, they return an answer, for ever and ever.

31Thus in the heavens take place the blowings of the winds: all of them have breathings, (71) and effect a complete combination of breathings.

(71) Breathings. Or, "spirits" (Laurence, p. 87).

32There the treasures of thunder are kept, and the splendour of the lightning.

33There are kept the treasures of hail and of frost, the treasures of snow, the treasures of rain and of dew.

34All these confess and laud before the Lord of spirits.

35They glorify with all their power of praise; and he sustains them in all that act of thanksgiving; while they laud, glorify, and exalt the name of the Lord of spirits for ever and ever.

36And with them he establishes this oath, by which they and their paths are preserved; nor does their progress perish.

37Great was their joy.

38They blessed, glorified, and exalted, because the name of the Son of man was revealed to them.

39He sat upon the throne of his glory; and the principal part of the judgment was assigned to him, the Son of man. Sinners shall disappear and perish from the face of the earth, while those who seduced them shall be bound with chains for ever.

40According to their ranks of corruption shall they be imprisoned, and all their works shall disappear from the face of the earth; nor thenceforward shall there be any to corrupt; for the Son of man has been seen, sitting on the throne of his glory.

41Everything wicked shall disappear, and depart from before his face; and the word of the Son of man shall become powerful in the presence of the Lord of spirits.

42This is the third parable of Enoch.

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Chapter 69



1After this the name of the Son of man, living with the Lord of spirits, was exalted by the inhabitants of the earth.

2It was exalted in the chariots of the Spirit; and the name went forth in the midst of them.

3From that time I was not drawn into the midst of them; but he seated me between two spirits, between the north and the west, where the angels received their ropes, to measure out a place for the elect and the righteous.

4There I beheld the fathers of the first men, and the saints, who dwell in that place for ever.

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Chapter 70



1Afterwards my spirit was concealed, ascending into the heavens. I beheld the sons of the holy angels treading on flaming fire, whose garments and robes were white, and whose countenances were transparent as crystal.

2I saw two rivers of fire glittering like the hyacinth.

3Then I fell on my face before the Lord of spirits.

4And Michael, one of the archangels, took me by my right hand, raised me up, and brought me out to where was every secret of mercy and secret of righteousness.

5He showed me all the hidden things of the extremities of heaven, all the receptacles of the stars, and the splendours of all, from whence they went forth before the face of the holy.

6And he concealed the spirit of Enoch in the heaven of heavens.

7There I beheld, in the midst of that light, a building raised with stones of ice;

8And in the midst of these stone vibrations (72) of living fire. My spirit saw around the circle of this flaming habitation, on one of its extremities, that there were rivers full of living fire, which encompassed it.

(72) Vibrations. Literally, "tongues" (Laurence, p. 90).

9Then the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and Ophanin (73) surrounded it: these are those who never sleep, but watch the throne of his glory.

(73) Ophanin. The "wheels" of Ezek. 1:15-21 (Charles, p. 162).

10And I beheld angels innumerable, thousands of thousands, and myriads and myriads, who surrounded that habitation.

11Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Phanuel and the holy angels who were in the heavens above, went in and out of it. Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel went out of that habitation, and holy angels innumerable.

12With them was the Ancient of days, whose head was white as wool, and pure, and his robe was indescribable.

13Then I fell upon my face, while all my flesh was dissolved, and my spirit became changed.

14I cried out with a loud voice, with a powerful spirit, blessing, glorifying, and exalting.

15And those blessings, which proceeded from my mouth, became acceptable in the presence of the Ancient of days.

16The Ancient of days came with Michael and Gabriel, Raphael and Phanuel, with thousands of thousands, and myriads and myriads, which could not be numbered.

17Then that angel came to me, and with his voice saluted me, saying, You are the Son of man, (74) who art born for righteousness, and righteousness has rested upon you.

(74) Son of man. Laurence's original translation renders this phrase "offspring of man." Knibb (p. 166) and Charles (p. 185) indicate that it should be "Son of man," consistent with the other occurrences of that term in the Book of Enoch.

18The righteousness of the Ancient of days shall not forsake you.

19He said, On you shall he confer peace in the name of the existing world; for from thence has peace gone forth since the world was created.

20And thus shall it happen to you for ever and ever.

21All who shall exist, and who shall walk in your path of righteousness, shall not forsake you for ever.

22With you shall be their habitations, with you their lot; nor from you shall they be separated for ever and ever.

23And thus shall length of days be with the Son of man. (75)

(75) Son of man. Literally, "offspring of man," or "the Christ who comes from the offspring of man."

24Peace shall be to the righteous; and the path of integrity shall the righteous pursue, in the name of the Lord of spirits, for ever and ever.

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Chapter 71



1The book of the revolutions of the luminaries of heaven, according to their respective classes, their respective powers, their respective periods, their respective names, the places where they commence their progress, and their respective months, which Uriel, the holy angel who was with me, explained to me; he who conducted them. The whole account of them, according to every year of the world for ever, until a new work shall be effected, which will be eternal.

2This is the first law of the luminaries. The sun and the light arrive at the gates of heaven, which are on the east, and on the west of it at the western gates of heaven.

3I beheld the gates whence the sun goes forth; and the gates where the sun sets;

4In which gates also the moon rises and sets; and I beheld the conductors of the stars, among those who precede them; six gates were at the rising, and six at the setting of the sun.

5All these respectively, one after another, are on a level; and numerous windows are on the right and on the left sides of those gates.

6First proceeds forth that great luminary, which is called the sun; the orb of which is as the orb of heaven, the whole of it being replete with splendid and flaming fire.

7Its chariot, where it ascends, the wind blows.

8The sun sets in heaven, and, returning by the north, to proceed towards the east, is conducted so as to enter by that gate, and illuminate the face of heaven.

9In the same manner it goes forth in the first month by the great gate.

10It goes forth through the fourth of those six gates, which are at the rising of the sun.

11And in the fourth gate, through which the sun with the moon proceeds, in the first part of it, (76) there are twelve open windows; from which issues out a flame, when they are opened in their proper periods.

(76) Through which卲art of it. Or, "from which the sun rises in the first month" (Knibb, p. 168).

12When the sun rises in heaven, it goes forth through this fourth gate thirty days, and by the fourth gate in the west of heaven on a level with it descends.

13During that period the day is lengthened from the day, and the night curtailed from the night for thirty days. And then the day is longer by two parts than the night.

14The day is precisely ten parts, and the night is eight.

15The sun goes forth through this fourth gate, and sets in it, and turns to the fifth gate during thirty days; after which it proceeds from, and sets in, the fifth gate.

16Then the day becomes lengthened by a second portion, so that it is eleven parts: while the night becomes shortened, and is only seven parts.

17The sun now returns to the east, entering into the sixth gate, and rising and setting in the sixth gate thirty-one days, on account of its signs.

18At that period the day is longer than the night, being twice as long as the night; and become twelve parts;

19But the night is shortened, and becomes six parts. Then the sun rises up, that the day may be shortened, and the night lengthened.

20And the sun returns toward the east entering into the sixth gate, where it rises and sets for thirty days.

21When that period is completed, the day becomes shortened precisely one part, so that it is eleven parts, while the night is seven parts.

22Then the sun goes from the west, from that sixth gate, and proceeds eastwards, rising in the fifth gate for thirty days, and setting again westwards in the fifth gate of the west.

23At that period the day becomes shortened two parts; and is ten parts, while the night is eight parts.

24Then the sun goes from the fifth gate, as it sets in the fifth gate of the west; and rises in the fourth gate for thirty-one days, on account of its signs, setting in the west.

25At that period the day is made equal with the night; and, being equal with it, the night becomes nine parts, and the day nine parts.

26Then the sun goes from that gate, as it sets in the west; and returning to the east proceeds by the third gate for thirty days, setting in the west at the third gate.

27At that period the night is lengthened from the day during thirty mornings, and the day is curtailed from the day during thirty days; the night being ten parts precisely, and the day eight parts.

28The sun now goes from the third gate, as it sets in the third gate in the west; but returning to the east, it proceeds by the second gate of the east for thirty days.

29In like manner also it sets in the second gate in the west of heaven.

30At that period the night is eleven parts, and the day seven parts.

31Then the sun goes at that time from the second gate, as it sets in the second gate in the west; but returns to the east, proceeding by the first gate, for thirty-one days.

32And sets in the west in the first gate.

33At that period that night is lengthened as much again as the day.

34It is twelve parts precisely, while the day is six parts.

35The sun has thus completed its beginnings, and a second time goes round from these beginnings.

36Into that first gate it enters for thirty days, and sets in the west, in the opposite part of heaven.

37At that period the night is contracted in its length a fourth part, that is, one portion, and becomes eleven parts.

38The day is seven parts.

39Then the sun returns, and enters into the second gate of the east.

40It returns by these beginnings thirty days, rising and setting.

41At that period the night is contracted in its length. It becomes ten parts, and the day eight parts. Then the sun goes from that second gate, and sets in the west; but returns to the east, and rises in the east, in the third gate, thirty-one days, setting in the west of heaven.

42At that period the night becomes shortened. It is nine parts. And the night is equal with the day. The year is precisely three hundred and sixty-four days.

43The lengthening of the day and night, and the contraction of the day and night, are made to differ from each other by the progress of the sun.

44By means of this progress the day is daily lengthened, and the night greatly shortened.

45This is the law and progress of the sun, and its turning when it turns back, turning during sixty days, (77) and going forth. This is the great everlasting luminary, that which he names the sun for ever and ever.

(77) That is, it is sixty days in the same gates, viz. Thirty days twice every year (Laurence, p. 97).

46This also is that which goes forth a great luminary, and which is named after its peculiar kind, as God commanded.

47And thus it goes in and out, neither slackening nor resting; but running on in its chariot by day and by night. It shines with a seventh portion of light from the moon; (78) but the dimensions of both are equal.

(78) It shines with協rom the moon. Or, "Its light is seven times brighter than that of the moon" (Knibb, p. 171). The Aramaic texts more clearly describe how the moon's light waxes and wanes by a half of a seventh part each day. Here in the Ethiopic version, the moon is thought of as two halves, each half being divided into seven parts. Hence, the "fourteen portions" of 72:9-10 (Knibb, p. 171).

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Chapter 72



1After this law I beheld another law of an inferior luminary, the name of which is the moon, and the orb of which is as the orb of heaven.

2Its chariot, which it secretly ascends, the wind blows; and light is given to it by measure.

3Every month at its exit and entrance it becomes changed; and its periods are as the periods of the sun. And when in like manner its light is to exist, (79) its light is a seventh portion from the light of the sun.

(79) And when in卛s to exist. I.e., when the moon is full (Knibb, p. 171).

4Thus it rises, and at its commencement towards the east goes forth for thirty days.

5At that time it appears, and becomes to you the beginning of the month. Thirty days it is with the sun in the gate from which the sun goes forth.

6Half of it is in extent seven portions, one half; and the whole of its orb is void of light, except a seventh portion out of the fourteen portions of its light. And in a day it receives a seventh portion, or half that portion, of its light. Its light is by sevens, by one portion, and by the half of a portion. Its sets with the sun.

7And when the sun rises, the moon rises with it; receiving half a portion of light.

8On that night, when it commences its period, previously to the day of the month, the moon sets with the sun.

9And on that night it is dark in its fourteen portions, that is, in each half; but it rises on that day with one seventh portion precisely, and in its progress declines from the rising of the sun.

10During the remainder of its period its light increases to fourteen portions.

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Chapter 73



1Then I saw another progress and regulation which He effected in the law of the moon. The progress of the moons, and everything relating to them, Uriel showed me, the holy angel who conducted them all.

2Their stations I wrote down as he showed them to me.

3I wrote down their months, as they occur, and the appearance of their light, until it is completed in fifteen days.

4In each of its two seven portions it completes all its light at rising and at setting.

5On stated months it changes its settings; and on stated months it makes its progress through each gate. In two gates the moon sets with the sun, viz. in those two gates which are in the midst, in the third and fourth gate. From the third gate it goes forth for seven days, and makes its circuit.

6Again it returns to the gate whence the sun goes forth, and in that completes the whole of its light. Then it declines from the sun, and enters in eight days into the sixth gate, and returns in seven days to the third gate, from which the sun goes forth.

7When the sun proceeds to the fourth gate, the moon goes forth for seven days, until it passes from the fifth gate.

8Again it returns in seven days to the fourth gate, and completing all its light, declines, and passes on by the first gate in eight days;

9And returns in seven days to the fourth gate, from which the sun goes forth.

10Thus I beheld their stations, as according to the fixed order of the months the sun rises and sets.

11At those times there is an excess of thirty days belonging to the sun in five years; all the days belonging to each year of the five years, when completed, amount to three hundred and sixty-four days; and to the sun and stars belong six days; six days in each of the five years; thus thirty days belonging to them;

12So that the moon has thirty days less than the sun and stars.

13The moon brings on all the years exactly, that their stations may come neither too forwards nor too backwards a single day; but that the years may be changed with correct precision in three hundred and sixty-four days. In three years the days are one thousand and ninety-two; in five years they are one thousand eight hundred and twenty; and in eight years two thousand nine hundred and twelve days.

14To the moon alone belong in three years one thousand and sixty-two days; in five years it has fifty days less than the sun, for an addition being made to the one thousand and sixty-two days, in five years there are one thousand seven hundred and seventy days; and the days of the moon in eight years are two thousand eight hundred and thirty-two days.

15For its days in eight years are less than those of the sun by eighty days, which eighty days are its diminution in eight years.

16The year then becomes truly complete according to the station of the moon, and the station of the sun; which rise in the different gates; which rise and set in them for thirty days.

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Chapter 74



1These are the leaders of the chiefs of the thousands, those which preside over all creation, and over all the stars; with the four days which are added and never separated from the place allotted them, according to the complete calculation of the year.

2And these serve four days, which are not calculated in the calculation of the year.

3Respecting them, men greatly err, for these luminaries truly serve, in the dwelling place of the world, one day in the first gate, one in the third gate, one in the fourth gate, and one in the sixth gate.

4And the harmony of the world becomes complete every three hundred and sixty-fourth state of it. For the signs,

5The seasons,

6The years,

7And the days, Uriel showed me; the angel whom the Lord of glory appointed over all the luminaries.

8Of heaven in heaven, and in the world; that they might rule in the face of the sky, and appearing over the earth, become

9Conductors of the days and nights: the sun, the moon, the stars, and all the ministers of heaven, which make their circuit with all the chariots of heaven.

10Thus Uriel showed me twelve gates open for the circuit of the chariots of the sun in heaven, from which the rays of the sun shoot forth.

11From these proceed heat over the earth, when they are opened in their stated seasons. They are for the winds, and the spirit of the dew, when in their seasons they are opened; opened in heaven at its extremities.

12Twelve gates I beheld in heaven, at the extremities of the earth, through which the sun, moon, and stars, and all the works of heaven, proceed at their rising and setting.

13Many windows also are open on the right and on the left.

14One window at a certain season grows extremely hot. So also are there gates from which the stars go forth as they are commanded, and in which they set according to their number.

15I saw likewise the chariots of heaven, running in the world above to those gates in which the stars turn, which never set. One of these is greater than all, which goes round the whole world.

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Chapter 75



1And at the extremities of the earth I beheld twelve gates open for all the winds, from which they proceed and blow over the earth.

2Three of them are open in the front of heaven, three in the west, three on the right side of heaven, and three on the left. The first three are those which are towards the east, three are towards the north, three behind those which are upon the left, towards the south, and three on the west.

3From four of them proceed winds of blessing, and of health; and from eight proceed winds of punishment; when they are sent to destroy the earth, and the heaven above it, all its inhabitants, and all which are in the waters, or on dry land.

4The first of these winds proceeds from the gate termed the eastern, through the first gate on the east, which inclines southwards. From this goes forth destruction, drought, heat, and perdition.

5From the second gate, the middle one, proceeds equity. There issue from it rain, fruitfulness, health, and dew; and from the third gate northwards, proceed cold and drought.

6After these proceed the south winds through three principal gates; through their first gate, which inclines eastwards, proceeds a hot wind.

7But from the middle gate proceed grateful odour, dew, rain, health, and life.

8From the third gate, which is westwards, proceed dew, rain, blight, and destruction.

9After these are the winds to the north, which is called the sea. They proceed from three gates. The first (80) gate is that which is on the east, inclining southwards; from this proceed dew, rain, blight, and destruction. From the middle direct gate proceed rain, dew, life, and health. And from the third gate, which is westwards, inclining towards the south, proceed mist, frost, snow, rain, dew, and blight.

(80) First. Or, "seventh" (Knibb, p. 178).

10After these in the fourth quarter are the winds to the west. From the first gate, inclining northwards, proceed dew, rain, frost, cold, snow, and chill; from the middle gate proceed rain, health, and blessing;

11And from the last gate, which is southwards, proceed drought, destruction, scorching, and perdition.

12The account of the twelve gates of the four quarters of heaven is ended.

13All their laws, all their infliction of punishment, and the health produced by them, have I explained to you, my son Mathusala. (81)

(81) Mathusala. Enoch's son, Methuselah. Cp. Gen. 5:21.

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Chapter 76



1The first wind is called the eastern, because it is the first.

2The second is called the south, because the Most High there descends, and frequently there descends he who is blessed for ever.

3The western wind has the name of diminution, because there all the luminaries of heaven are diminished, and descend.

4The fourth wind, which is named the north, is divided into three parts; one of which is for the habitation of man; another for seas of water, with valleys, woods, rivers, shady places, and snow; and the third part contains paradise.

5Seven high mountains I beheld, higher than all the mountains of the earth, from which frost proceeds; while days, seasons, and years depart and pass away.

6Seven rivers I beheld upon earth, greater than all rivers, one of which takes its course from the west; into a great sea its water flows.

7Two come from the north to the sea, their waters flowing into the Erythraean sea, (82) on the east. And with respect to the remaining four, they take their course in the cavity of the north, two to their sea, the Erythraean sea, and two are poured into a great sea, where also it is said there is a desert.

(82) The Red Sea.

8Seven great islands I saw in the sea and on the earth. Seven in the great sea.

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Chapter 77



1The names of the sun are these: one Aryares, the other Tomas.

2The moon has four names. The first is Asonya; the second, Ebla; the third, Benase; and the fourth, Erae.

3These are the two great luminaries, whose orbs are as the orbs of heaven; and the dimensions of both are equal.

4In the orb of the sun there is a seventh portion of light, which is added to it from the moon. (83) By measure it is put in, until the seventh portion of the light of the sun is departed. They set, enter into the western gate, circuit by the north, and through the eastern gate go forth over the face of heaven.

(83) A seventh portion協rom the moon. Or, "seven parts of light which are added to it more than to the moon" (Knibb, p. 182).

5When the moon rises, it appears in heaven; and the half of a seventh portion of light is all which is in it.

6In fourteen days the whole of its light is completed.

7By three quintuples light is put into it, until in fifteen days its light is completed, according to the signs of the year; it has three quintuples.

8The moon has the half of a seventh portion.

9During its diminution on the first day its light decreases a fourteenth part; on the second day it decreases a thirteenth part; on the third day a twelfth part; on the fourth day an eleventh part; on the fifth day a tenth part; on the sixth day a ninth part; on the seventh day it decreases an eighth part; on the eighth day it decreases a seventh part; on the ninth day it decreases a sixth part; on the tenth day it decreases a fifth part; on the eleventh day it decreases a fourth part; on the twelfth day it decreases third part; on the thirteenth day it decreases a second part; on the fourteenth day it decreases a half of its seventh part; and on the fifteenth day the whole remainder of its light is consumed.

10On stated months the moon has twenty-nine days.

11It also has a period of twenty-eight days.

12Uriel likewise showed me another regulation, when light is poured into the moon, how it is poured into it from the sun.

13All the time that the moon is in progress with its light, it is poured into it in the presence of the sun, until its light is in fourteen days completed in heaven.

14And when it is wholly extinguished, its light is consumed in heaven; and on the first day it is called the new moon, for on that day light is received into it.

15It becomes precisely completed on the day that the sun descends into the west, while the moon ascends at night from the east.

16The moon then shines all the night, until the sun rises before it; when the moon disappears in turn before the sun.

17Where light comes to the moon, there again it decreases, until all its light is extinguished, and the days of the moon pass away.

18Then its orb remains solitary without light.

19During three months it effects in thirty days each month its period; and during three more months it effects it in twenty-nine days each. These are the times in which it effects its decrease in its first period, and in the first gate, namely, in one hundred and seventy-seven days.

20And at the time of its going forth during three months it appears thirty days each, and during three more months it appears twenty-nine days each.

21In the night it appears for each twenty days as the face of a man, and in the day as heaven; for it is nothing else except its light.

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Chapter 78



1And now, my son Mathusala, I have shown you everything; and the account of every ordinance of the stars of heaven is finished.

2He showed me every ordinance respecting these, which takes place at all times and in all seasons under every influence, in all years, at the arrival and under the rule of each, during every month and every week. He showed me also the decrease of the moon, which is effected in the sixth gate; for in that sixth gate is its light consumed.

3From this is the beginning of the month; and its decrease is effected in the sixth gate in its period, until a hundred and seventy-seven days are completed; according to the mode of calculation by weeks, twenty-five weeks and two days.

4Its period is less that that of the sun, according to the ordinance of the stars, by five days in one half year (84) precisely.

(84) In one half year. Literally, "in one time" (Laurence, p. 110).

5When that their visible situation is completed. Such is the appearance and likeness of every luminary, which Uriel, the great angel who conducts them, showed to me.

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Chapter 79



1In those days Uriel answered and said to me, Behold, I have showed you all things, O Enoch;

2And all things have I revealed to you. You see the sun, the moon, and those which conduct the stars of heaven, which cause all their operations, seasons, and arrivals to return.

3In the days of sinners the years shall be shortened.

4Their seed shall be backward in their prolific soil; and everything done on earth shall be subverted, and disappear in its season. The rain shall be restrained, and heaven shall stand still.

5In those days the fruits of the earth shall be late, and not flourish in their season; and in their season the fruits of the trees shall be withholden.

6The moon shall change its laws, and not be seen at its proper period. But in those days shall heaven be seen; and barrenness shall take place in the borders of the great chariots in the west. Heaven shall shine more than when illuminated by the orders of light; while many chiefs among the stars of authority shall err, perverting their ways and works.

7Those shall not appear in their season, who commanded them, and all the classes of the stars shall be shut up against sinners.

8The thoughts of those who dwell on the earth shall transgress within them; and they shall be perverted in all their ways.

9They shall transgress, and think themselves (85) gods; while evil shall be multiplied among them.

(85) Themselves. Or, "them" i.e., the chiefs among the stars (vs. 6) (Knibb, p. 186).

10And punishment shall come upon them, so that all of them shall be destroyed.

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Chapter 80



1He said, O Enoch, look on the book which heaven has gradually dropped down; (86) and, reading that which is written in it, understand every part of it.

(86) The book which卍ropped down. Or, "the book of the tablets of heaven" (Knibb, p. 186).

2Then I looked on all which was written, and understood all, reading the book and everything written in it, all the works of man;

3And of all the children of flesh upon earth, during the generations of the world.

4Immediately after I blessed the Lord, the King of glory, who has thus for ever formed the whole workmanship of the world.

5And I glorified the Lord, on account of his long-suffering and blessing towards the children of the world.

6At that time I said, Blessed is the man, who shall die righteous and good, against whom no catalogue of crime has been written, and with whom iniquity is not found.

7Then those three holy ones caused me to approach, and placed me on the earth, before the door of my house.

8And they said unto me, Explain everything to Mathusala your son; and inform all your children, that no flesh shall be justified before the Lord; for he is their Creator.

9During one year we shall leave you with your children, until you shalt again recover your strength, that you may instruct your family, write these things, and explain them to all your children. But in another year they shall take you from the midst of them, and your heart shall be strengthened; for the elect shall point out righteousness to the elect; the righteous with the righteous shall rejoice, congratulating each other; but the sinners with sinners shall die,

10And the perverted with the perverted shall be drowned.

11Those likewise who act righteously shall die on account of the works of man, and shall be gathered together on account of the works of the wicked.

12In those days they finished conversing with me.

13And I returned to my fellow men, blessing the Lord of worlds.

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Chapter 81



1Now, my son Mathusala, all these things I speak unto you, and write for you. To you I have revealed all, and have given you books of everything.

2Preserve, my son Mathusala, the books written by your father; that you may reveal them to future generations.

3Wisdom have I given you, to your children, and your posterity, that they may reveal to their children, for generations for ever, this wisdom in their thoughts; and that those who comprehend it may not slumber, but hear with their ears; that they may learn this wisdom, and be deemed worthy of eating this wholesome food.

4Blessed are all the righteous; blessed are all who walk in righteousness; in whom no crime is found, as in sinners, when all their days are numbered.

5With respect to the progress of the sun in heaven, it enters and goes out of each gate for thirty days, with the leaders of the thousand classes of the stars; with four which are added, and appertain to the four quarters of the year, which conduct them, and accompany them at four periods.

6Respecting these, men greatly err, and do not calculate them in the calculation of every age; for they greatly err respecting them; nor do men know accurately that they are in the calculation of the year. But indeed these are marked down for ever; one in the first gate, one in the third, one in the fourth, and one in the sixth:

7So that the year is completed in three hundred and sixty-four days.

8Truly has been stated, and accurately has been calculated that which is marked down; for the luminaries, the months, the fixed periods, the years, and the days, Uriel has explained to me, and communicated to me; whom the Lord of all creation, on my account, commanded (according to the might of heaven, and the power which it possesses both by night and by day) to explain the laws of light to man, of the sun, moon, and stars, and of all the powers of heaven, which are turned with their respective orbs.

9This is the ordinance of the stars, which set in their places, in their seasons, in their periods, in their days, and in their months.

10These are the names of the those who conduct them, who watch and enter in their seasons, according to their ordinance in their periods, in their months, in the times of their influence, and in their stations.

11Four conductors of them first enter, who separate the four quarters of the year. After these, twelve conductors of their classes, who separate the months and the year into three hundred and sixty-four days, with the leaders of a thousand, who distinguish between the days, as well as between the four additional ones; which, as conductors, divide the four quarters of the year.

12These leaders of a thousand are in the midst of the conductors, and the conductors are added each behind his station, and their conductors make the separation. These are the names of the conductors, who separate the four quarters of the year, who are appointed over them: Melkel, Helammelak,

13Meliyal, and Narel.

14And the names of those who conduct them are Adnarel, Jyasusal, and Jyelumeal.

15These are the three who follow after the conductors of the classes of stars; each following after the three conductors of the classes, which themselves follow after those conductors of the stations, who divide the four quarters of the year.

16In the first part of the year rises and rules Melkyas, who is named Tamani, and Zahay. (87)

(87) Tamani, and Zahay. Or, "the southern sun" (Knibb, p. 190).

17All the days of his influence, during which he rules, are ninety-one days.

18And these are the signs of the days which are seen upon the earth. In the days of his influence there is perspiration, heat, and trouble. All the trees become fruitful; the leaf of every tree comes forth; the corn is reaped; the rose and every species of flowers blossoms in the field; and the trees of winter are dried up.

19These are the names of the conductors who are under them: Barkel, Zelsabel; and another additional conductor of a thousand is named Heloyalef, the days of those influence have been completed. The other conductor next after them is Helemmelek, whose name they call the splendid Zahay. (88)

(88) Zahay. Or, "sun" (Knibb, p. 191).

20All the days of his light are ninety-one days.

21These are the signs of the days upon earth, heat and drought; while the trees bring forth their fruits, warmed and concocted, and give their fruits to dry.

22The flocks follow and yean. (89) All the fruits of the earth are collected, with everything in the fields, and the vines are trodden. This takes place during the time of his influence.

(89) Follow and yean. Mate and bear young.

23These are their names and orders, and the names of the conductors who are under them, of those who are chiefs of a thousand: Gedaeyal, Keel, Heel.

24And the name of the additional leader of a thousand is Asphael.

25The days of his influence have been completed.

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Chapter 82



1And now I have shown you, my son Mathusala, every sight which I saw prior to your birth. I will relate another vision, which I saw before I was married; they resemble each other.

2The first was when I was learning a book; and the other before I was married to your mother. I saw a potent vision;

3And on account of these things besought the Lord.

4I was lying down in the house of my grandfather Malalel, when I saw in a vision heaven purifying, and snatched away. (90)

(90) Purifying, and snatched away. Or, "was thrown down and removed" (Knibb, p. 192).

5And falling to the earth, (91) I saw likewise the earth absorbed by a great abyss; and mountains suspended over mountains.

(91) And falling to the earth. Or, "and when it fell upon the earth" (Knibb, p. 192).

6Hills were sinking upon hills, lofty trees were gliding off from their trunks, and were in the act of being projected, and of sinking into the abyss.

7Being alarmed at these things, my voice faltered. (92) I cried out and said, The earth is destroyed. Then my grandfather Malalel raised me up, and said to me: Why do you thus cry out, my son? And wherefore thus do you lament?

(92) My voice faltered. Literally, "the word fell down in my mouth" (Laurence, p. 118).

8I related to him the whole vision which I had seen. He said to me, Confirmed is that which you have seen, my son;

9And potent the vision of your dream respecting every secret sin of the earth. Its substance shall sink into the abyss, and a great destruction take place.

10Now, my son, rise up; and beseech the Lord of glory (for you are faithful), that a remnant may be left upon earth, and that he would not wholly destroy it. My son, all this calamity upon earth comes down from heaven; upon earth shall there be a great destruction.

11Then I arose, prayed, and entreated; and wrote down my prayer for the generations of the world, explaining everything to my son Mathusala.

12When I went down below, and looking up to heaven, beheld the sun proceeding from the east, the moon descending to the west, a few scattered stars, and everything which God has known from the beginning, I blessed the Lord of judgment, and magnified him: because he hath sent forth the sun from the chambers (93) of the east; that, ascending and rising in the face of heaven, it might spring up, and pursue the path which has been pointed out to it.

(93) Chambers. Literally, "windows" (Laurence, p. 119).

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Chapter 83



1I lifted up my hands in righteousness, and blessed the holy, and the Great One. I spoke with the breath o

Chapter 1



1The word of the blessing of Enoch, how he blessed the elect and the righteous, who were to exist in the time of trouble; rejecting all the wicked and ungodly. Enoch, a righteous man, who was (1) with God, answered and spoke, while his eyes were open, and while he saw a holy vision in the heavens. This the angels showed me.

(1) N.B. The italicized words supply a gap in the text.

2From them I heard all things, and understood what I saw; that which will not take place in this generation, but in a generation which is to succeed at a distant period, on account of the elect.

3Upon their account I spoke and conversed with him, who will go forth from his habitation, the Holy and Mighty One, the God of the world:

4Who will hereafter tread upon Mount Sinai; appear with his hosts; and be manifested in the strength of his power from heaven.

5All shall be afraid, and the Watchers be terrified.

6Great fear and trembling shall seize them, even to the ends of the earth. The lofty mountains shall be troubled, and the exalted hills depressed, melting like a honeycomb in the flame. The earth shall be immerged, and all things which are in it perish; while judgment shall come upon all, even upon all the righteous:

7But to them shall he give peace: he shall preserve the elect, and towards them exercise clemency.

8Then shall all belong to God; be happy and blessed; and the splendour of the Godhead shall illuminate them.

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Chapter 2



1Behold, he comes with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon them, and destroy the wicked, and reprove all the carnal for everything which the sinful and ungodly have done, and committed against him. (2)

(2) Quoted by Jude, vss. 14, 15.

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Chapter 3



1All who are in the heavens know what is transacted there.

2They know that the heavenly luminaries change not their paths; that each rises and sets regularly, every one at its proper period, without transgressing the commands, which they have received. The behold the earth, and understand what is there transacted, from the beginning to the end of it.

3They see that every work of God is invariable in the period of its appearance. They behold summer and winter: perceiving that the whole earth is full of water; and that the cloud, the dew, and the rain refresh it.

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Chapter 4



1They consider and behold every tree, how it appears to wither, and every leaf to fall off, except of fourteen trees, which are not deciduous; which wait from the old, to the appearance of the new leaf, for two or three winters.

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Chapter 5



1Again they consider the days of summer, that the sun is upon it at its very beginning; while you seek for a covered and shady spot on account of the burning sun; while the earth is scorched up with fervid heat, and you become incapable of walking either upon the ground or upon the rocks in consequence of that heat.

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Chapter 6



1They consider how the trees, when they put forth their green leaves, become covered, and produce fruit; understanding everything, and knowing that He who lives for ever does all these things for you:

2That the works at the beginning of every existing year, that all his works, are subservient to him, and invariable; yet as God has appointed, so are all things brought to pass.

3They see, too, how the seas and the rivers together complete their respective operations:

4But you endure not patiently, nor fulfill the commandments of the Lord; but you transgress and calumniate his greatness; and malignant are the words in your polluted mouths against his Majesty.

5You withered in heart, no peace shall be to you!

6Therefore your days shall you curse, and the years of your lives shall perish; perpetual execration shall be multiplied, and you shall not obtain mercy.

7In those days shall you resign your peace with the eternal maledictions of all the righteous, and sinners shall perpetually execrate you;

8Shall execrate you with the ungodly.

9The elect shall possess light, joy, and peace; and they shall inherit the earth.

10But you, you unholy, shall be accursed.

11Then shall wisdom be given to the elect, all of whom shall live, and not again transgress by impiety or pride; but shall humble themselves, possessing prudence, and shall not repeat transgression.

12They shall not be condemned the whole period of their lives, not die in torment and indignation; but the sum of their days shall be completed, and they shall grow old in peace; while the years of their happiness shall be multiplied with joy, and with peace, for ever, the whole duration of their existence.

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Chapter 7



1It happened after the sons of men had multiplied in those days, that daughters were born to them, elegant and beautiful.

2And when the angels, (3) the sons of heaven, beheld them, they became enamoured of them, saying to each other, Come, let us select for ourselves wives from the progeny of men, and let us beget children.

(3) An Aramaic text reads "Watchers" here (J.T. Milik, Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4 [Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1976], p. 167).

3Then their leader Samyaza said to them; I fear that you may perhaps be indisposed to the performance of this enterprise;

4And that I alone shall suffer for so grievous a crime.

5But they answered him and said; We all swear;

6And bind ourselves by mutual execrations, that we will not change our intention, but execute our projected undertaking.

7Then they swore all together, and all bound themselves by mutual execrations. Their whole number was two hundred, who descended upon Ardis, (4) which is the top of mount Armon.

(4) Upon Ardis. Or, "in the days of Jared" (R.H. Charles, ed. and trans., The Book of Enoch [Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1893], p. 63).

8That mountain therefore was called Armon, because they had sworn upon it, (5) and bound themselves by mutual execrations.

(5) Mt. Armon, or Mt. Hermon, derives its name from the Hebrew word herem, a curse (Charles, p. 63).

9These are the names of their chiefs: Samyaza, who was their leader, Urakabarameel, Akibeel, Tamiel, Ramuel, Danel, Azkeel, Saraknyal, Asael, Armers, Batraal, Anane, Zavebe, Samsaveel, Ertael, Turel, Yomyael, Arazyal. These were the prefects of the two hundred angels, and the remainder were all with them. (6)

(6) The Aramaic texts preserve an earlier list of names of these Watchers: Semihazah; Artqoph; Ramtel; Kokabel; Ramel; Danieal; Zeqiel; Baraqel; Asael; Hermoni; Matarel; Ananel; Stawel; Samsiel; Sahriel; Tummiel; Turiel; Yomiel; Yhaddiel (Milik, p. 151).

10Then they took wives, each choosing for himself; whom they began to approach, and with whom they cohabited; teaching them sorcery, incantations, and the dividing of roots and trees.

11And the women conceiving brought forth giants, (7)

(7) The Greek texts vary considerably from the Ethiopic text here. One Greek manuscript adds to this section, "And they [the women] bore to them [the Watchers] three races杅irst, the great giants. The giants brought forth [some say "slew"] the Naphelim, and the Naphelim brought forth [or "slew"] the Elioud. And they existed, increasing in power according to their greatness." See the account in the Book of Jubilees.

12Whose stature was each three hundred cubits. These devoured all which the labor of men produced; until it became impossible to feed them;

13When they turned themselves against men, in order to devour them;

14And began to injure birds, beasts, reptiles, and fishes, to eat their flesh one after another, (8) and to drink their blood.

(8) Their flesh one after another. Or, "one another抯 flesh." R.H. Charles notes that this phrase may refer to the destruction of one class of giants by another (Charles, p. 65).

15Then the earth reproved the unrighteous.

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Chapter 8



1Moreover Azazyel taught men to make swords, knives, shields, breastplates, the fabrication of mirrors, and the workmanship of bracelets and ornaments, the use of paint, the beautifying of the eyebrows, the use of stones of every valuable and select kind, and all sorts of dyes, so that the world became altered.

2Impiety increased; fornication multiplied; and they transgressed and corrupted all their ways.

3Amazarak taught all the sorcerers, and dividers of roots:

4Armers taught the solution of sorcery;

5Barkayal taught the observers of the stars, (9)

(9) Observers of the stars. Astrologers (Charles, p. 67).

6Akibeel taught signs;

7Tamiel taught astronomy;

8And Asaradel taught the motion of the moon,

9And men, being destroyed, cried out; and their voice reached to heaven.

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Chapter 9



1Then Michael and Gabriel, Raphael, Suryal, and Uriel, looked down from heaven, and saw the quantity of blood which was shed on earth, and all the iniquity which was done upon it, and said one to another, It is the voice of their cries;

2The earth deprived of her children has cried even to the gate of heaven.

3And now to you, O you holy one of heaven, the souls of men complain, saying, Obtain Justice for us with (10) the Most High. Then they said to their Lord, the King, You are Lord of lords, God of gods, King of kings. The throne of your glory is for ever and ever, and for ever and ever is your name sanctified and glorified. You are blessed and glorified.

(10) Obtain justice for us with. Literally, "Bring judgment to us from." (Richard Laurence, ed. and trans., The Book of Enoch the Prophet [London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 1883], p. 9).

4You have made all things; you possess power over all things; and all things are open and manifest before you. You behold all things, and nothing can be concealed from you.

5You have seen what Azazyel has done, how he has taught every species of iniquity upon earth, and has disclosed to the world all the secret things which are done in the heavens.

6Samyaza also has taught sorcery, to whom you have given authority over those who are associated with him. They have gone together to the daughters of men; have lain with them; have become polluted;

7And have discovered crimes (11) to them.

(11) Discovered crimes. Or, "revealed these sins" (Charles, p. 70).

8The women likewise have brought forth giants.

9Thus has the whole earth been filled with blood and with iniquity.

10And now behold the souls of those who are dead, cry out.

11And complain even to the gate of heaven.

12Their groaning ascends; nor can they escape from the unrighteousness which is committed on earth. You know all things, before they exist.

13You know these things, and what has been done by them; yet you do not speak to us.

14What on account of these things ought we to do to them?

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Chapter 10



1Then the Most High, the Great and Holy One spoke,

2And sent Arsayalalyur (12) to the son of Lamech,

(12) Arsayalalyur. Here one Greek text reads "Uriel."

3Saying, Say to him in my name, Conceal yourself.

4Then explain to him the consummation which is about to take place; for all the earth shall perish; the waters of a deluge shall come over the whole earth, and all things which are in it shall be destroyed.

5And now teach him how he may escape, and how his seed may remain in all the earth.

6Again the Lord said to Raphael, Bind Azazyel hand and foot; cast him into darkness; and opening the desert which is in Dudael, cast him in there.

7Throw upon him hurled and pointed stones, covering him with darkness;

8There shall he remain for ever; cover his face, that he may not see the light.

9And in the great day of judgment let him be cast into the fire.

10Restore the earth, which the angels have corrupted; and announce life to it, that I may revive it.

11All the sons of men shall not perish in consequence of every secret, by which the Watchers have destroyed, and which they have taught, their offspring.

12All the earth has been corrupted by the effects of the teaching of Azazyel. To him therefore ascribe the whole crime.

13To Gabriel also the Lord said, Go to the biters, (13) to the reprobates, to the children of fornication; and destroy the children of fornication, the offspring of the Watchers, from among men; bring them forth, and excite them one against another. Let them perish by mutual slaughter; for length of days shall not be theirs.

(13) Biters. More accurately, "bastards" (Charles, p. 73; Michael A. Knibb, ed. and trans., The Ethiopic Book of Enoch [Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1978], p. 88).

14They shall all entreat you, but their fathers shall not obtain their wishes respecting them; for they shall hope for eternal life, and that they may live, each of them, five hundred years.

15To Michael likewise the Lord said, Go and announce his crime to Samyaza, and to the others who are with him, who have been associated with women, that they might be polluted with all their impurity. And when all their sons shall be slain, when they shall see the perdition of their beloved, bind them for seventy generations underneath the earth, even to the day of judgment, and of consummation, until the judgment, the effect of which will last for ever, be completed.

16Then shall they be taken away into the lowest depths of the fire in torments; and in confinement shall they be shut up for ever.

17Immediately after this shall he, (14) together with them, burn and perish; they shall be bound until the consummation of many generations.

(14) He. I.e., Samyaza.

18Destroy all the souls addicted to dalliance, (15) and the offspring of the Watchers, for they have tyrannized over mankind.

(15) Dalliance. Or, "lust" (Knibb, p. 90; cp. Charles, p. 76).

19Let every oppressor perish from the face of the earth;

20Let every evil work be destroyed;

21The plant of righteousness and of rectitude appear, and its produce become a blessing.

22Righteousness and rectitude shall be for ever planted with delight.

23And then shall all the saints give thanks, and live until they have begotten a thousand children, while the whole period of their youth, and their sabbaths shall be completed in peace. In those days all the earth shall be cultivated in righteousness; it shall be wholly planted with trees, and filled with benediction; every tree of delight shall be planted in it.

24In it shall vines be planted; and the vine which shall be planted in it shall yield fruit to satiety; every seed, which shall be sown in it, shall produce for one measure a thousand; and one measure of olives shall produce ten presses of oil.

25Purify the earth from all oppression, from all injustice, from all crime, from all impiety, and from all the pollution which is committed upon it. Exterminate them from the earth.

26Then shall all the children of men be righteous, and all nations shall pay me divine honours, and bless me; and all shall adore me.

27The earth shall be cleansed from all corruption, from every crime, from all punishment, and from all suffering; neither will I again send a deluge upon it from generation to generation for ever.

28In those days I will open the treasures of blessing which are in heaven, that I may cause them to descend upon earth, and upon all the works and labour of man.

29Peace and equity shall associate with the sons of men all the days of the world, in every generation of it.

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(No Chapter 11)

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Chapter 12



1Before all these things Enoch was concealed; nor did any one of the sons of men know where he was concealed, where he had been, and what had happened.

2He was wholly engaged with the holy ones, and with the Watchers in his days.

3I, Enoch, was blessing the great Lord and King of peace.

4And behold the Watchers called me Enoch the scribe.

5Then the Lord said to me: Enoch, scribe of righteousness, go tell the Watchers of heaven, who have deserted the lofty sky, and their holy everlasting station, who have been polluted with women.

6And have done as the sons of men do, by taking to themselves wives, and who have been greatly corrupted on the earth;

7That on the earth they shall never obtain peace and remission of sin. For they shall not rejoice in their offspring; they shall behold the slaughter of their beloved; shall lament for the destruction of their sons; and shall petition for ever; but shall not obtain mercy and peace.

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Chapter 13



1Then Enoch, passing on, said to Azazyel: You shalt not obtain peace. A great sentence is gone forth against you. He shall bind you;

2Neither shall relief, mercy, and supplication be yours, on account of the oppression which you have taught;

3And on account of every act of blasphemy, tyranny, and sin, which you have discovered to the children of men.

4Then departing from him I spoke to them all together;

5And they all became terrified, and trembled;

6Beseeching me to write for them a memorial of supplication, that they might obtain forgiveness; and that I might make the memorial of their prayer ascend up before the God of heaven; because they could not themselves thenceforwards address him, nor raise up their eyes to heaven on account of the disgraceful offence for which they were judged.

7Then I wrote a memorial of their prayer and supplications, for their spirits, for everything which they had done, and for the subject of their entreaty, that they might obtain remission and rest.

8Proceeding on, I continued over the waters of Danbadan, (16) which is on the right to the west of Armon, reading the memorial of their prayer, until I fell asleep.

(16) Danbadan. Dan in Dan (Knibb, p. 94).

9And behold a dream came to me, and visions appeared above me. I fell down and saw a vision of punishment, that I might relate it to the sons of heaven, and reprove them. When I awoke I went to them. All being collected together stood weeping in Oubelseyael, which is situated between Libanos and Seneser, (17) with their faces veiled.

(17) Libanos and Seneser. Lebanon and Senir (near Damascus).

10I related in their presence all the visions which I had seen, and my dream;

11And began to utter these words of righteousness, reproving the Watchers of heaven.

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Chapter 14



1This is the book of the words of righteousness, and of the reproof of the Watchers, who belong to the world, (18) according to that which He, who is holy and great, commanded in the vision. I perceived in my dream, that I was now speaking with a tongue of flesh, and with my breath, which the Mighty One has put into the mouth of men, that they might converse with it.

(18) Who belong to the world. Or, "who (are) from eternity" (Knibb, p. 95).

2And understand with the heart. As he has created and given to men the power of comprehending the word of understanding, so has he created and given to me the power of reproving the Watchers, the offspring of heaven. I have written your petition; and in my vision it has been shown me, that what you request will not be granted you as long as the world endures.

3Judgment has been passed upon you: your request will not be granted you.

4From this time forward, never shall you ascend into heaven; He has said, that on the earth He will bind you, as long as the world endures.

5But before these things you shall behold the destruction of your beloved sons; you shall not possess them, but they shall fall before you by the sword.

6Neither shall you entreat for them, not for yourselves;

7But you shall weep and supplicate in silence. The words of the book which I wrote. (19)

(19) But you shall weep匢 wrote. Or, "Likewise despite your tears and prayers you will receive nothing whatever contained in the writing which I have written" (Charles, p. 80).

8A vision thus appeared to me.

9Behold, in that vision clouds and a mist invited me; agitated stars and flashes of lightning impelled and pressed me forwards, while winds in the vision assisted my flight, accelerating my progress.

10They elevated me aloft to heaven. I proceeded, until I arrived at a wall built with stones of crystal. A vibrating flame (20) surrounded it, which began to strike me with terror.

(20) Vibrating flame. Literally, "a tongue of fire"

11Into this vibrating flame I entered;

12And drew nigh to a spacious habitation built also with stones of crystal. Its walls too, as well as pavement, were formed with stones of crystal, and crystal likewise was the ground. Its roof had the appearance of agitated stars and flashes of lightning; and among them were cherubim of fire in a stormy sky. (21) A flame burned around its walls; and its portal blazed with fire. When I entered into this dwelling, it was hot as fire and cold as ice. No trace of delight or of life was there. Terror overwhelmed me, and a fearful shaking seized me.

(21) In a stormy sky. Literally, "and their heaven was water" (Charles, p. 81).

13Violently agitated and trembling, I fell upon my face. In the vision I looked.

14And behold there was another habitation more spacious than the former, every entrance to which was open before me, erected in the midst of a vibrating flame.

15So greatly did it excel in all points, in glory, in magnificence, and in magnitude, that it is impossible to describe to you either the splendour or the extent of it.

16Its floor was on fire; above were lightnings and agitated stars, while its roof exhibited a blazing fire.

17Attentively I surveyed it, and saw that it contained an exalted throne;

18The appearance of which was like that of frost; while its circumference resembled the orb of the brilliant sun; and there was the voice of the cherubim.

19From underneath this mighty throne rivers of flaming fire issued.

20To look upon it was impossible.

21One great in glory sat upon it:

22Whose robe was brighter than the sun, and whiter than snow.

23No angel was capable of penetrating to view the face of Him, the Glorious and the Effulgent; nor could any mortal behold Him. A fire was flaming around Him.

24A fire also of great extent continued to rise up before Him; so that not one of those who surrounded Him was capable of approaching Him, among the myriads of myriads (22) who were before Him. To Him holy consultation was needless. Yet did not the sanctified, who were near Him, depart far from Him either by night or by day; nor were they removed from Him. I also was so far advanced, with a veil on my face, and trembling. Then the Lord with his own mouth called me, saying, Approach hither, Enoch, at my holy word.

(22) Myriads of myriads. Ten thousand times ten thousands (Knibb, p. 99).

25And He raised me up, making me draw near even to the entrance. My eye was directed to the ground.

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Chapter 15



1Then addressing me, He spoke and said, Hear, neither be afraid, O righteous Enoch, you scribe of righteousness: approach hither, and hear my voice. Go, say to the Watchers of heaven, who have sent you to pray for them, You ought to pray for men, and not men for you.

2Wherefore have you forsaken the lofty and holy heaven, which endures for ever, and have lain with women; have defile yourselves with the daughters of men; have taken to yourselves wives; have acted like the sons of the earth, and have begotten an impious offspring? (23)

(23) An impious offspring. Literally, "giants" (Charles, p. 82; Knibb, p. 101).

3You being spiritual, holy, and possessing a life which is eternal, have polluted yourselves with women; have begotten in carnal blood; have lusted in the blood of men; and have done as those who are flesh and blood do.

4These however die and perish.

5Therefore have I given to them wives, that they might cohabit with them; that sons might be born of them; and that this might be transacted upon earth.

6But you from the beginning were made spiritual, possessing a life which is eternal, and not subject to death for ever.

7Therefore I made not wives for you, because, being spiritual, your dwelling is in heaven.

8Now the giants, who have been born of spirit and of flesh, shall be called upon earth evil spirits, and on earth shall be their habitation. Evil spirits shall proceed from their flesh, because they were created from above; from the holy Watchers was their beginning and primary foundation. Evil spirits shall they be upon earth, and the spirits of the wicked shall they be called. The habitation of the spirits of heaven shall be in heaven; but upon earth shall be the habitation of terrestrial spirits, who are born on earth. (24)

(24) Note the many implications of vss. 3-8 regarding the progeny of evil spirits.

9The spirits of the giants shall be like clouds, (25) which shall oppress, corrupt, fall, content, and bruise upon earth.

(25) The Greek word for "clouds" here, nephelas, may disguise a more ancient reading, Napheleim (Nephilim).

10They shall cause lamentation. No food shall they eat; and they shall be thirsty; they shall be concealed, and shall not (26) rise up against the sons of men, and against women; for they come forth during the days of slaughter and destruction.

(26) Shall not. Nearly all manuscripts contain this negative, but Charles, Knibb, and others believe the "not" should be deleted so the phrase reads "shall rise up."

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Chapter 16



1And as to the death of the giants, wheresoever their spirits depart from their bodies, let their flesh, that which is perishable, be without judgment. (27) Thus shall they perish, until the day of the great consummation of the great world. A destruction shall take place of the Watchers and the impious.

(27) Let their flesh卋e without judgment. Or, "their flesh shall be destroyed before the judgment" (Knibb, p. 102).

2And now to the Watchers, who have sent you to pray for them, who in the beginning were in heaven,

3Say, In heaven have you been; secret things, however, have not been manifested to you; yet have you known a reprobated mystery.

4And this you have related to women in the hardness of your heart, and by that mystery have women and mankind multiplied evils upon the earth.

5Say to them, Never therefore shall you obtain peace.

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Chapter 17



1They raised me up into a certain place, where there was (28) the appearance of a burning fire; and when they pleased they assumed the likeness of men.

(28) Where there was. Or, "where they [the angels] were like" (Knibb, p. 103).

2They carried me to a lofty spot, to a mountain, the top of which reach to heaven.

3And I beheld the receptacles of light and of thunder at the extremities of the place, where it was deepest. There was a bow of fire, and arrows in their quiver, a sword of fire, and every species of lightning.

4Then they elevated me to a babbling stream, (29) and to a fire in the west, which received all the setting of the sun. I came to a river of fire, which flowed like water, and emptied itself into the great sea westwards.

(29) To a babbling stream. Literally, "to water of life, which spoke" (Laurence, p. 23).

5I saw every large river, until I arrived at the great darkness. I went to where all of flesh migrate; and I beheld the mountains of the gloom which constitutes winter, and the place from which issues the water in every abyss.

6I saw also the mouths of all the rivers in the world, and the mouths of the deep.

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Chapter 18



1I then surveyed the receptacles of all the winds, perceiving that they contributed to adorn the whole creation, and to preserve the foundation of the earth.

2I surveyed the stone which supports the corners of the earth.

3I also beheld the four winds, which bear up the earth, and the firmament of heaven.

4And I beheld the winds occupying the exalted sky.

5Arising in the midst of heaven and of earth, and constituting the pillars of heaven.

6I saw the winds which turn the sky, which cause the orb of the sun and of all the stars to set; and over the earth I saw the winds which support the clouds.

7I saw the path of the angels.

8I perceived at the extremity of the earth the firmament of heaven above it. Then I passed on towards the south;

9Where burnt, both by day and night, six mountains formed of glorious stones; three towards the east, and three towards the south.

10Those which were towards the east were of a variegated stone; one of which was of margarite, and another of antimony. Those towards the south were of a red stone. The middle one reached to heaven like the throne of God; a throne composed of alabaster, the top of which was of sapphire. I saw, too, a blazing fire hanging over all the mountains.

11And there I saw a place on the other side of an extended territory, where waters were collected.

12I likewise beheld terrestrial fountains, deep in the fiery columns of heaven.

13And in the columns of heaven I beheld fires, which descended without number, but neither on high, nor into the deep. Over these fountains also I perceived a place which had neither the firmament of heaven above it, nor the solid ground underneath it; neither was there water above it; nor anything on wing; but the spot was desolate.

14And there I beheld seven stars, like great blazing mountains, and like spirits entreating me.

15Then the angel said, This place, until the consummation of heaven and earth, will be the prison of the stars, and the host of heaven.

16The stars which roll over fire are those which transgressed the commandment of God before their time arrived; for they came not in their proper season. Therefore was He offended with them, and bound them, until the period of the consummation of their crimes in the secret year.

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Chapter 19



1Then Uriel said, Here the angels, who cohabited with women, appointed their leaders;

2And being numerous in appearance (30) made men profane, and caused them to err; so that they sacrificed to devils as to gods. For in the great day there shall be a judgment, with which they shall be judged, until they are consumed; and their wives also shall be judged, who led astray the angels of heaven that they might salute them.

(30) Being numerous in appearance. Or, "assuming many forms" (Knibb, p. 106).

3And I, Enoch, I alone saw the likeness of the end of all things. Nor did any human being see it, as I saw it.

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Chapter 20



1These are the names of the angels who watch.

2Uriel, one of the holy angels, who presides over clamor and terror.

3Raphael, one of the holy angels, who presides over the spirits of men.

4Raguel, one of the holy angels, who inflicts punishment on the world and the luminaries.

5Michael, one of the holy angels, who, presiding over human virtue, commands the nations.

6Sarakiel, one of the holy angels, who presides over the spirits of the children of men that transgress.

7Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who presides over Ikisat, (31) over paradise, and over the cherubim.

(31) Ikisat. The serpents (Charles, p. 92; Knibb, p. 107).

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Chapter 21



1Then I made a circuit to a place in which nothing was completed.

2And there I beheld neither the tremendous workmanship of an exalted heaven, nor of an established earth, but a desolate spot, prepared, and terrific.

3There, too, I beheld seven stars of heaven bound in it together, like great mountains, and like a blazing fire. I exclaimed, For what species of crime have they been bound, and why have they been removed to this place? Then Uriel, one of the holy angels who was with me, and who conducted me, answered: Enoch, wherefore do you ask; wherefore do you reason with yourself, and anxiously inquire? These are those of the stars which have transgressed the commandment of the most high God; and are here bound, until the infinite number of the days of their crimes be completed.

4From there I afterwards passed on to another terrific place;

5Where I beheld the operation of a great fire blazing and glittering, in the midst of which there was a division. Columns of fire struggled together to the end of the abyss, and deep was their descent. But neither its measurement nor magnitude was I able to discover; neither could I perceive its origin. Then I exclaimed, How terrible is this place, and how difficult to explore!

6Uriel, one of the holy angels who was with me, answered and said: Enoch, why are you alarmed and amazed at this terrific place, at the sight of this place of suffering? This, he said, is the prison of the angels; and here they are kept for ever.

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Chapter 22



1From there I proceeded to another spot, where I saw on the west a great and lofty mountain, a strong rock, and four delightful places.

2Internally it was deep, capacious, and very smooth; as smooth as if it had been rolled over: it was both deep and dark to behold.

3Then Raphael, one of the holy angels who were with me, answered and said, These are the delightful places where the spirits, the souls of the dead, will be collected; for them were they formed; and here will be collected all the souls of the sons of men.

4These places, in which they dwell, shall they occupy until the day of judgment, and until their appointed period.

5Their appointed period will be long, even until the great judgment. And I saw the spirits of the sons of men who were dead; and their voices reached to heaven, while they were accusing.

6Then I inquired of Raphael, an angel who was with me, and said, Whose spirit is that, the voice of which reaches to heaven, and accuses?

7He answered, saying, This is the spirit of Abel who was slain by Cain his brother; and who will accuse that brother, until his seed be destroyed from the face of the earth;

8Until his seed perish from the seed of the human race.

9At that time therefore I inquired respecting him, and respecting the general judgment, saying, Why is one separated from another? He answered, Three separations have been made between the spirits of the dead, and thus have the spirits of the righteous been separated.

10Namely, by a chasm, by water, and by light above it.

11And in the same way likewise are sinners separated when they die, and are buried in the earth; judgment not overtaking them in their lifetime.

12Here their souls are separated. Moreover, abundant is their suffering until the time of the great judgment, the castigation, and the torment of those who eternally execrate, whose souls are punished and bound there for ever.

13And thus has it been from the beginning of the world. Thus has there existed a separation between the souls of those who utter complaints, and of those who watch for their destruction, to slaughter them in the day of sinners.

14A receptacle of this sort has been formed for the souls of unrighteous men, and of sinners; of those who have completed crime, and associated with the impious, whom they resemble. Their souls shall not be annihilated in the day of judgment, neither shall they arise from this place. Then I blessed God,

15And said, Blessed by my Lord, the Lord of glory and of righteousness, who reigns over all for ever and for ever.

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Chapter 23



1From there I went to another place, towards the west, unto the extremities of the earth.

2Where I beheld a fire blazing and running along without cessation, which intermitted its course neither by day nor by night; but continued always the same.

3I inquired, saying, What is this, which never ceases?

4Then Raguel, one of the holy angels who were with me, answered,

5And said, This blazing fire, which you behold running towards the west, is that of all the luminaries of heaven.

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Chapter 24



1I went from there to another place, and saw a mountain of fire flashing both by day and night. I proceeded towards it; and perceived seven splendid mountains, which were all different from each other.

2Their stones were brilliant and beautiful; all were brilliant and splendid to behold; and beautiful was their surface. Three mountains were towards the east, and strengthened by being placed one upon another; and three were towards the south, strengthened in a similar manner. There were likewise deep valleys, which did not approach each other. And the seventh mountain was in the midst of them. In length they all resembled the seat of a throne, and odoriferous trees surrounded them.

3Among these there was a tree of an unceasing smell; nor of those which were in Eden was there one of all the fragrant trees which smelt like this. Its leaf, its flower, and its bark never withered, and its fruit was beautiful.

4Its fruit resembled the cluster of the palm. I exclaimed, Behold! This tree is goodly in aspect, pleasing in its leaf, and the sight of its fruit is delightful to the eye. Then Michael, one of the holy and glorious angels who were with me, and one who presided over them, answered,

5And said: Enoch, why do you inquire respecting the odour of this tree?

6Why are you inquisitive to know it?

7Then I, Enoch, replied to him, and said, Concerning everything I am desirous of instruction, but particularly concerning this tree.

8He answered me, saying, That mountain which you behold, the extent of whose head resembles the seat of the Lord, will be the seat on which shall sit the holy and great Lord of glory, the everlasting King, when he shall come and descend to visit the earth with goodness.

9And that tree of an agreeable smell, not one of carnal odor, there shall be no power to touch, until the period of the great judgment. When all shall be punished and consumed for ever, this shall be bestowed on the righteous and humble. The fruit of the tree shall be given to the elect. For towards the north life shall be planted in the holy place, towards the habitation of the everlasting King.

10Then shall they greatly rejoice and exult in the Holy One. The sweet odor shall enter into their bones; and they shall live a long life on the earth as your forefathers have lived; neither in their days shall sorrow, distress, trouble, and punishment afflict them.

11And I blessed the Lord of glory, the everlasting King, because He has prepared this tree for the saints, formed it, and declared that He would give it to them.

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Chapter 25



1From there I proceeded to the middle of the earth, and beheld a happy and fertile spot, which contained branches continually sprouting from the trees which were planted in it. There I saw a holy mountain, and underneath it water on the eastern side, which flowed towards the south. I saw also on the east another mountain as high as that; and between them there were deep, but not wide valleys.

2Water ran towards the mountain to the west of this; and underneath there was likewise another mountain.

3There was a valley, but not a wide one, below it; and in the midst of them were other deep and dry valleys towards the extremity of the three. All these valleys, which were deep, but not side, consisted of a strong rock, with a tree which was planted in them. And I wondered at the rock and at the valleys, being extremely surprised.

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Chapter 26



1Then I said, What means this blessed land, all these lofty trees, and the accursed valley between them?

2Then Uriel, one of the holy angels who were with me, replied, This valley is the accursed of the accursed for ever. Here shall be collected all who utter with their mouths unbecoming language against God, and speak harsh things of His glory. Here shall they be collected. Here shall be their territory.

3In the latter days an example of judgment shall be made of them in righteousness before the saints; while those who have received mercy shall for ever, all their days, bless God, the everlasting King.

4And at the period of judgment shall they bless Him for his mercy, as He has distributed it to them. Then I blessed God, addressing myself to Him, and making mention, as was meet, of His greatness.

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Chapter 27



1From there I proceeded towards the east to the middle of the mountain in the desert, the level surface only of which I perceived.

2It was full of trees of the seed alluded to; and water leaped down upon it.

3There appeared a cataract composed as of many cataracts both towards the west and towards the east. Upon one side were trees; upon the other water and dew.

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Chapter 28



1Then I went to another place from the desert; towards the east of that mountain which I had approached.

2There I beheld choice trees, (32) particularly, those which produce the sweet-smelling opiate, frankincense and myrrh; and trees unlike to each other.

(32) Choice trees. Literally, "trees of judgment" (Laurence, p. 35; Knibb, p. 117).

3And over it, above them, was the elevation of the eastern mountain at no great distance.

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Chapter 29



1I likewise saw another place with valleys of water which never wasted,

2Where I perceived a goodly tree, which in smell resembled Zasakinon. (33)

(33) Zasakinon. The mastic tree (Knibb, p. 118).

3And towards the sides of these valleys I perceived cinnamon of a sweet odour. Over them I advanced towards the east.

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Chapter 30



1Then I beheld another mountain containing trees, from which water flowed like Neketro, (34) Its name was Sarira, and Kalboneba. (35) And upon this mountain I beheld another mountain, upon which were trees of Alva. (36)

(34) Neketro. A nectar (Knibb, p. 119).
(35) Sarira, and Kalboneba. Styrax and galbanum (Knibb, p. 119).
(36) Alva. Aloe (Knibb, p. 119).


2These trees were full, like almond trees, and strong; and when they produced fruit, it was superior to all redolence.

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Chapter 31



1After these things, surveying the entrances of the north, above the mountains, I perceived seven mountains replete with pure nard, odoriferous trees, cinnamon and papyrus.

2From there I passed on above the summits of those mountains to some distance eastwards, and went over the Erythraean sea. (37) And when I was advanced far beyond it, I passed along above the angel Zateel, and arrived at the garden of righteousness. In this garden I beheld, among other trees, some which were numerous and large, and which flourished there.

(37) Erythraean sea. The Red Sea.

3Their fragrance was agreeable and powerful, and their appearance both varied and elegant. The tree of knowledge also was there, of which if any one eats, he becomes endowed with great wisdom.

4It was like a species of the tamarind tree, bearing fruit which resembled grapes extremely fine; and its fragrance extended to a considerable distance. I exclaimed, How beautiful is this tree, and how delightful is its appearance!

5Then holy Raphael, an angel who was with me, answered and said, This is the tree of knowledge, of which your ancient father and your aged mother ate, who were before you; and who, obtaining knowledge, their eyes being opened, and knowing themselves to be naked, were expelled from the garden.

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Chapter 32



1From there I went on towards the extremities of the earth; where I saw large beasts different from each other, and birds various in their countenances and forms, as well as with notes of different sounds.

2To the east of these beasts I perceived the extremities of the earth, where heaven ceased. The gates of heaven stood open, and I beheld the celestial stars come forth. I numbered them as they proceeded out of the gate, and wrote them all down, as they came out one by one according to their number. I wrote down their names altogether, their times and their seasons, as the angel Uriel, who was with me, pointed them out to me.

3He showed them all to me, and wrote down an account of them.

4He also wrote down for me their names, their regulations, and their operations.

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Chapter 33



1From there I advanced on towards the north, to the extremities of the earth.

2And there I saw a great and glorious wonder at the extremities of the whole earth.

3I saw there heavenly gates opening into heaven; three of them distinctly separated. The northern winds proceeded from them, blowing cold, hail, frost, snow, dew, and rain.

4From one of the gates they blew mildly; but when they blew from the two other gates, it was with violence and force. They blew over the earth strongly.

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Chapter 34



1From there I went to the extremities of the world westwards;

2Where I perceived three gates open, as I had seen in the north; the gates and passages through them being of equal magnitude.

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Chapter 35



1Then I proceeded to the extremities of the earth southwards; where I saw three gates open to the south, from which issued dew, rain, and wind.

2From there I went to the extremities of heaven eastwards; where I saw three heavenly gates open to the east, which had smaller gates within them. Through each of these small gates the stars of heaven passed on, and proceeded towards the west by a path which was seen by them, and that at every period of their appearance.

3When I beheld them, I blessed; every time in which they appeared, I blessed the Lord of glory, who had made those great and splendid signs, that they might display the magnificence of this works to angels and to the souls of men; and that these might glorify all his works and operations; might see the effect of his power; might glorify the great labour of his hands; and bless him for ever.

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(No Chapter 36)

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Chapter 37



1The vision which he saw, the second vision of wisdom, which Enoch saw, the son of Jared, the son of Malaleel, the son of Canan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam. This is the commencement of the word of wisdom, which I received to declare and tell to those who dwell upon earth. Hear from the beginning, and understand to the end, the holy things which I utter in the presence of the Lord of spirits. Those who were before us thought it good to speak;

2And let not us, who come after, obstruct the beginning of wisdom. Until the present period never has there been given before the Lord of spirits that which I have received, wisdom according the capacity of my intellect, and according to the pleasure of the Lord of spirits; that which I have received from him, a portion of life eternal.

3And I obtained three parables, which I declared to the inhabitants of the world.

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Chapter 38



1Parable the first. When the congregation of the righteous shall be manifested; and sinners be judged for their crimes, and be troubled in the sight of the world;

2When righteousness shall be manifested (38) in the presence of the righteous themselves, who will be elected for their good works duly weighed by the Lord of spirits; and when the light of the righteous and the elect, who dwell on earth, shall be manifested; where will the habitation of sinners be? And where the place of rest for those who have rejected the Lord of spirits? It would have been better for them, had they never been born.

(38) When righteousness shall be manifested. Or, "when the Righteous One appears" (Knibb, p. 125; cp. Charles, p. 112).

3When, too, the secrets of the righteous shall be revealed, then shall sinners be judged; and impious men shall be afflicted in the presence of the righteous and the elect.

4From that period those who possess the earth shall cease to be powerful and exalted. Neither shall they be capable of beholding the countenances of the holy; for the light of the countenances of the holy, the righteous, and the elect, has been seen by the Lord of spirits. (39)

(39) For the light匧ord of spirits. Or, "for the light of the Lord of spirits will have appeared on the face of the holy, the righteous, and the chosen" (Knibb, p. 126).

5Yet shall not the mighty kings of that period be destroyed; but be delivered into the hands of the righteous and the holy.

6Nor thenceforwards shall any obtain commiseration from the Lord of spirits, because their lives in this world will have been completed.

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Chapter 39



1In those days shall the elect and holy race descend from the upper heavens, and their seed shall then be with the sons of men. Enoch received books of indignation and wrath, and books of hurry and agitation.

2Never shall they obtain mercy, saith the Lord of spirits.

3A cloud then snatched me up, and the wind raised me above the surface of the earth, placing me at the extremity of the heavens.

4There I saw another vision; I saw the habitations and resting places of the saints. There my eyes beheld their habitations with the angels, and their resting places with the holy ones. They were entreating, supplicating, and praying for the sons of men; while righteousness like water flowed before them, and mercy like dew was scattered over the earth. And thus shall it be with them for ever and for ever.

5At that time my eyes beheld the dwelling of the elect, of truth, faith, and righteousness.

6Countless shall be the number of the holy and the elect, in the presence of God for ever and for ever.

7Their residence I beheld under the wings of the Lord of spirits. All the holy and the elect sung before him, in appearance like a blaze of fire; their mouths being full of blessings, and their lips glorifying the name of the Lord of spirits. And righteousness incessantly dwelt before him.

8There was I desirous of remaining, and my soul longed for that habitation. There was my antecedent inheritance; for thus had I prevailed before the Lord of spirits.

9At that time I glorified and extolled the name of the Lord of spirits with blessing and with praise; for he has established it with blessing and with praise, according to his own good pleasure.

10That place long did my eyes contemplate. I blessed and said, Blessed be he, blessed from the beginning for ever. In the beginning, before the world was created, and without end is his knowledge.

11What is this world? Of every existing generation those shall bless you who do not spiritually sleep but stand before your glory, blessing, glorifying, exalting you, and saying, The holy, holy, Lord of spirits, fills the whole world of spirits.

12There my eyes beheld all who, without sleeping, stand before him and bless him, saying, Blessed be you, and blessed be the name of God for ever and for ever. Then my countenance became changed, until I was incapable of seeing.

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Chapter 40



1After this I beheld thousands of thousands, and myriads of myriads, and an infinite number of people, standing before the Lord of spirits.

2On the four wings likewise of the Lord of spirits, on the four sides, I perceived others, besides those who were standing before him. Their names, too, I know; because the angel, who proceeded with me, declared them to me, discovering to me every secret thing.

3Then I heard the voices of those upon the four sides magnifying the Lord of glory.

4The first voice blessed the Lord of spirits for ever and for ever.

5The second voice I heard blessing the Elect One, and the elect who suffer on account of the Lord of spirits.

6The third voice I heard petitioning and praying for those who dwell upon earth, and supplicate the name of the Lord of spirits.

7The fourth voice I heard expelling the impious angels, (40) and prohibiting them from entering into the presence of the Lord of spirits, to prefer accusations against (41) the inhabitants of the earth.

(40) Impious angels. Literally, "the Satans" (Laurence, p. 45; Knibb, p. 128). Ha-satan in Hebrew ("the adversary") was originally the title of an office, not the name of an angel.
(41) Prefer accusations against. Or, "to accuse" (Charles, p. 119).


8After this I besought the angel of peace, who proceeded with me, to explain all that was concealed. I said to him, Who are those whom I have seen on the four sides, and who words I have heard and written down? He replied, The first is the merciful, the patient, the holy Michael.

9The second is he who presides over every suffering and every affliction of the sons of men, the holy Raphael. The third, who presides over all that is powerful, is Gabriel. And the fourth, who presides over repentance, and the hope of those who will inherit eternal life, is Phanuel. These are the four angels of the most high God, and their four voices, which at that time I heard.

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Chapter 41



1After this I beheld the secrets of the heavens and of paradise, according to its divisions; and of human action, as they weight it there in balances. I saw the habitations of the elect, and the habitations of the holy. And there my eyes beheld all the sinners, who denied the Lord of glory, and whom they were expelling from there, and dragging away, as they stood there; no punishment proceeding against them from the Lord of spirits.

2There, too, my eyes beheld the secrets of the lightning and the thunder; and the secrets of the winds, how they are distributed as they blow over the earth: the secrets of the winds, of the dew, and of the clouds. There I perceived the place from which they issued forth, and became saturated with the dust of the earth.

3There I saw the wooden receptacles out of which the winds became separated, the receptacle of hail, the receptacle of snow, the receptacle of the clouds, and the cloud itself, which continued over the earth before the creation of the world.

4I beheld also the receptacles of the moon, whence they came, whither they proceeded, their glorious return, and how one became more splendid than another. I marked their rich progress, their unchangeable progress, their disunited and undiminished progress; their observance of a mutual fidelity by a stable oath; their proceeding forth before the sun, and their adherence to the path allotted them, (42) in obedience to the command

吸血鬼：暗夜里寻找生命
　　
　　作者：“Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif“
　　
　　译者：吴岳添
　　出版：台湾时报出版社


　　
　　吸血鬼：暗夜里寻找生命
　　
　　作者：“Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif“
　　
　　译者：吴岳添
　　出版：台湾时报出版社
　
　　
　　那没人黑夜的身影渗出血……
　　古代有渴血的神灵，中世界出现嗜血的恶魔。
　　１５世纪，欧洲教会承认，世上有僵 。
　　叁百年後，大家口耳相传，
　　吸血鬼害怕大蒜和十字架。
　　浪漫文学作品让德古拉伯爵享誉全球。
　　电影中的吸血鬼或战栗骇人，或流露人形。
　　这在暗夜里寻找生命的灵，
　　行迹难测，形象多变。
　　
　　第一章：血的情结
　　第二章：教会承认恶灵存在
　　第叁章：属於吸血鬼的时代
　　第四章：从血中复活
　　



　　第一章：血的情结
　　
　　
　　蛊惑人心的血
　　
　　
　　人类创造了许多在夜里活动的精灵，其中，吸血鬼独具特色；她是僵
　　，必须吸活人的血才能永远生存下去。吸血鬼应该是产生於与血有关的幻想－－血这宝贵的液体是生命力的象征，人若因受伤失血，便有性命危险。这种关於血的观念可以追溯到人类的远古时代，看来是不会错的。第一个可靠的记载，是在中亚波斯发现的一只史前的陶罐，罐上有一幅画：
　　一个男人和一个想吸他血的魔鬼搏斗。後来，巴比伦的女妖利利图（Lilitu）以吸儿童的血闻名，这个传说距今也有好几千年了。还有一些作家认为，关於吸血僵 的传说，最早产生在公元前６世纪的中国。
　　
　　在地理和年代方面，我们无需详尽考证，便可以知道，自古以来，人类就在想像的世界里杜撰出无数渴血的精灵。无论是在中国人、印度人、马来人、还是波里尼西亚人、阿兹特克人（Azteque）或爱斯基摩人的社会里，都有这方面的证据。这些精灵严格说来，并不能称为吸血鬼：吸血鬼
　　乃是欧洲文明的产物。古希腊文化是欧洲文明的摇篮，而发端於犹太人信仰的基督教传统，又是欧洲伦理法典的基础，所以我们应该到这些古文明当中，去寻找吸血鬼的起源。
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　

　　古希腊罗马神话里的鲜血和死亡
　　
　　
　　古希腊人在鲜血和冥界间建立神秘的关联。古希腊史诗〈奥德赛〉（Odyssee）第１１卷里，希腊战士尤里西斯（Ulysses）祭献绵羊的血召英雄们的亡灵。占卜者蒂雷西亚斯（Tiresias）、他的母亲，以及其他死者，在饮了祭献的血後都暂时恢复生气活力，与尤里西斯交谈起来。
　　
　　把鲜血和冥界连系在一起的观念，在基督教盛行以前，看来是颇受重视的，所以古希腊罗马神话里有许多吸血的神，它们的外貌像女人，例如人面蛇身女怪和半鸟半人女妖是人头鸟身，会到摇篮吸新生儿的血，或让睡梦中的年轻人元气尽失。恩浦萨（Empusa）是幽灵之神赫卡忒（Hecate）
　　的侍女，一个长着铜脚的恶魔，可以随时化身为漂亮的少女，诱惑睡梦中的男人。拉弥亚（Lamia）是埃及王柏洛斯（Belos）的女儿，她的几个孩子被众神之父宙斯（Zeus）的妻子赫拉（Hera）杀死。拉弥亚为了报仇，於是变成怪物，吞吃儿童或者吸他们的血。
　　
　　人面蛇身女怪、铜脚恶魔和半鸟半人女妖等，与罗马尼亚西部，特兰西瓦亚（Transylvania）地方的吸血鬼无直接关系。不过，表示半鸟半人女妖的字“stryge”，与罗马尼亚人从１７世纪以来称吸血鬼的“strigoi”，两个字竟有点相似。这些古代世界的神就像现代的吸血鬼一样，都趁
　　受害者熟睡时吸他们的血；但有一点与现代吸血鬼不同，人面蛇身女怪、铜脚恶魔和半鸟半人女妖都不是僵
　　，而是脱离了躯体的神，要诱惑人时能变成人形。这个特点让人想起基督教时代的女恶魔。这些女恶魔纠缠睡梦中的青年男子，和他们交欢，使他们精疲力竭而失去活力，甚至送掉性命。
　　



　　“整个肉体的灵魂，就是它的鲜血”
　　
　　
　　根据犹太教教士的记载，与人面蛇身女怪相当的利利特（Lilith），是巴比伦女妖利利图的前身，在创造夏娃之前是亚当第一个妻子。利利特被亚当抛弃以後，就变成众妖魔鬼怪的女王。她和人面蛇身女怪、半鸟半人女妖一样，也吸婴儿的血，也会让熟睡的年轻男子丧失生气。在希伯来人
　　眼里，利利特违反了绝对的禁忌，因为摩西律法禁止吃活物的血：“所以，我对以色列的孩子说：‘无论什麽活物的血，你们都不可以吃；因为一切活物的血，就是他的生命；凡吃了血的人，都会受到惩罚。’”（〈利末记〉，第１７章，１０至１４节）
　　
　　希伯来人对血始终怀有一种复杂的情结，同时把它看成是生命和不洁的象征。血是身体的灵魂，而生命是神所赐予的，只有上帝才能主宰生死，因此血有神圣的一面。但血同时又与人类的不幸有关：亚当的女伴屈服於魔鬼的诱惑，犯了原罪；因此女人的月经便被视为不洁的伤口，是上帝对
　　夏娃後裔的惩罚。在希伯来人的传说里，月经是一切不幸的根源。女人在月经期间不得在公共场合露面，一旦她出现了，就会引起灾祸，例如面包不发酵，酒变酸和谷物歉收等等，而且无论如何不能行房，因为她不洁净。所以对希伯来人来说，血有一种灾难性的意涵，凡是有血的地方必有罪恶。
　　




　　基督教重振血的声誉
　　
　　
　　〈圣经．新约〉教诲我们，耶稣用自己的血拯救人类。在十字架上殉难前，耶稣和使徒共进最後晚餐，以葡萄酒和面包象征自己的血和身体，并说这血有赎罪的价值。〈约翰福音〉甚至强调血产生的功效，以致早期教皇不得不提出意见，反对只从字面上来解释最後的晚餐。担心一旦这样解
　　释，一些异教仪式可能会死灰复燃，例如用人祭献，或在仪式上吃人。
　　
　　７７２年，法兰克王国查理曼大帝（Charlemagne）制服古日耳曼人的一支－－萨克森人（Saxon），使他们改信基督教。７８５年，他颁布了〈萨克森异教徒地区基督教之权利〉的敕令，迫使萨克森人接受洗礼。依这道敕令，凡是把异教信仰与圣餐中面包和葡萄酒视为耶稣身体和血的想法
　　混为一谈，以及大办人肉筵席的萨克森人，一律处死。尽管有了这些预防措施和禁令，在中世纪的基督教世界里，血仍然被赋与超自然的能力，而这些能力又得到鬼神学的渲染，由此产生吸血鬼迷信。１１世纪，一些巫师和医生认为血有赎罪的功用，同时滥用对圣母玛丽亚的崇拜。他们开出的医治百病和延缓衰老的药方，竟然是喝处女纯洁的血。
　　



　　死后的生命－－附体的鬼魂
　　
　　
　　新柏拉图主义（Neoplatonism）强调极端唯心主义，主张“逃离身体”。这种思想认为人死后还有生命，这是在吸血鬼迷信形成的过程中，基督教所起的另一种作用。身体只是物质的躯壳，所以会腐烂，而灵魂却能在另一个世界里继续生存，以等待在末日审判时复活。罪人若能悔过，尤其
　　是在死前接受涂油礼的仪式，他们的灵魂就能因赎罪而得到拯救。凡是没有接受临终涂油的人，或者没有葬入圣地的人，例如自杀或被开除教藉的人，是注定不会得救的。按照基督教的解释，这些人就是“受难的灵魂”，既不属於今生，也不属於来世。关於鬼魂和吸血鬼的迷信於焉而生。
　　鬼魂和吸血鬼不一样，鬼魂是不再有肉体躯壳的幽灵，因而对人无害；吸血鬼则是附体的鬼魂，是被炼狱里跑出来的灵魂所侵占的躯体。

　　吸血的死
　　
　　
　　１１世纪，有人发现死人的 体离开了坟墓，而且完好无损，一些谣言於是流传开来。德．普朗西（Collin de Plancy）的〈地狱辞典〉，记载了一个事件：１０３１年，在法国南部里摩日（Limoges）开第二次主教会议时，德．卡奥尔（de
　　Cahors）主教说，他的教区里有个开除了教藉的骑士死了， 体几次被人在离坟墓很远的地方发现。北欧的传说里，也有吸血僵 的说法。爱尔兰的克尔特人（Celt）曾把自己的信仰带到冰岛、斯堪地纳维亚诸国和不列颠群岛等地，所以北欧吸血僵
　　的传说，可能已与中世纪的基督教结合在一起了。从１２世纪开始，在英国用拉丁文写的编年史里，例如１１９３年梅普（Walter Map）所写的〈法庭琐事〉，以及１１９６年德．纽堡格（William de
　　Newburgh）的〈英国国教史〉，都找得到类似的例子。这两部着作里有各式各样的故事，都是关於被开除教藉死人的故事。他们每天夜间从坟墓里出来，纠缠自己的亲人，造成一连串离奇的死亡。可是，打开他们的棺木，仍然可以看到 体完好无损，而且还沾着血迹。唯一能让他们不再装神弄鬼的办法，就是用剑刺穿 体，再点火把 体烧掉。英国编年史家找不到一个专门的术语来形容这类僵 ，便称他们“吸血的死 ”（cadaver sanguisugus），其实就是後来说的吸血鬼。不列颠群岛是最早形成吸血鬼迷信的地方，不过一直到文艺复兴时期为止，这种迷信现象还不普遍，并未在当地人的脑海里留下深刻持久的印象。
　　



　　传染病和迷信一起流行
　　
　　
　　到了１４世纪，吸血鬼迷信才真正形成风气，主要流传在中欧的东普鲁士（Prusse orientale）、西里西亚（Silesie）和波希米亚（Boheme）等地。以前，迷信吸血鬼是无关宏旨的现象，现在则蔚为气候，普遍的程度不下於同时期肆虐的瘟疫，而且与瘟疫结合了。为了避免传染瘟疫，人们常常不确定病人是否死亡了，便仓促将他们掩埋。几天后打开墓穴时，会看到保存完好但还沾有血迹的 体。其实不该把他们想像成吸血鬼，因为这些人在临终时可能痛苦万分，想从棺材里挣扎出来，但徒劳无功，因而受伤流血。後来，在莱恩夫特（Michael Ranft）１７２８年的名作〈随意在坟墓里咀嚼的 体〉里，甚至谈到了自我吞食。在迷信风炙烈的１４世纪，吸血鬼传说由於瘟疫而广为流行。１３４３年，普鲁士男爵德．莱登（Steino de Retten）死於瘟疫，葬在德意志古国劳恩布鲁格（Lauenbrug）。然而，在他身後，仍有几个人信誓旦旦，说在坟墓外又见到了他。为了让德．莱登的灵魂安息，人们只好挖开墓地，用剑一举刺穿了他的遗骸。
　　

　　１５世纪的两个凶神恶煞
　　
　　
　　１４和１５世纪，吸血鬼迷信在西欧相当罕见。不过在法国，１４４０年的德．莱斯（Gilles de Rais）事件却轰动一时。他至今仍与吸血鬼传说密不可分－－法国小说家于斯曼（Joris-Karl Huysmans）在小说〈在那儿〉（１８９１）里，把他描绘成不折不扣的吸血鬼。
　　
　　在英法百年战争期间，德．莱斯男爵是圣女贞德（Jeanne
　　d’Arc）的战友，贞德遇俘之後，男爵隐退於马什古尔（Machecoul）和蒂福日（Tiffauges）的领地。他後来迷上炼金术，希望在血里发现点金石的奥秘，以获得财富和权势。这些实验使他丧失心智，把大约叁百个儿童折磨至死。其实，德．莱斯这号人物更符合吃人妖魔，或法国童话中，杀害六个妻子的蓝胡子形象，但长长被归类为“吸血鬼”。
　　
　　比德．莱斯更能代表吸血鬼的，是多瑙河畔瓦拉奇公国（Valachie）的督军弗拉德四世（Vlad IV）。他有两个绰号：“特普”（Tapes，施木桩刑的人），以及“德古拉”（Dracula，魔鬼或龙的别称）。弗拉德曾打败来自奥图曼（Ottoman）帝国的入侵者，解救了自己的国家，成为罗马尼亚的民族英雄。但他是吸血的暴君，为了作乐而把上千万的人用尖木桩戳死。弗拉德的暴虐行 为，替当代的许多编年史家增加丰富的素材，把他写成一个传奇人物。现在，他的名字已与吸血鬼分不开了。他的残忍行径在四百年後，引起英国作家史托克（Bram Stoker）的注意，写成〈德古拉〉一书，创造了一则现代神话。
　　




　　第二章：教会承认恶灵存在
　　
　　
　　１４８４年，意大利教皇英诺森八世（Innocent VIII）批准出版〈武术之 〉。编写此书的是道明会的两个修士：斯普朗瑞（Jakob Sprenger）和克拉默（Heinrich
　　Kramer），他们研究调查的对象，是鬼魂、与睡梦中男人性交的女恶魔，以及奸污熟睡妇女的梦魔。有了教皇的背书，教会正式承认世上有僵 。此举不啻为一记晴天霹雳，如此一来，各种妖魔鬼怪很快就应运而生了。
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　“僵 ”，撒旦的帮凶
　　
　　
　　１６世纪下半叶，吸血鬼迷信方兴未艾，宗教改革运动一展开，这股迷信风也名正言顺地蔓延开来。这个时期的人相信，昔日瘟疫流行时在棺木中自我吞食的死人，现在具有魔力，可从远方让活人死去。有些人甚至声称，他们听过死人在坟墓里咀嚼的声音。德国宗教改革家马丁．路德（Ma
　　rtin Luther）就曾听罗赫雷（Georg Rohrer）牧师讲过，１５５２年，在普鲁士和西里西亚兴起一项习俗：在死者嘴里放一个石块或一枚硬币，以防死者咀嚼。居民称这些死人“最初的吸血鬼”（Nachzehrer），这个德文字可译成“捕食性动物”或“寄生虫”。在瑞士，喀尔文（John
　　Calvin）和拉瓦特（Louis
　　Lavater）等宗教改革运动的神学家，认为炼狱里没有灵魂存在，只能有武术来解释死人何以会复活。１５８１年，拉瓦特出了一本关於夜间幽灵和鬼魂的论着，书上提出假设：显灵的不是死人的灵魂，而是变成死人模样的魔鬼。对神秘学颇有研究的苏格兰国王詹姆斯六世，也就是後来的
　　英国国王詹姆斯一世，１５９７年发表了论文〈恶魔研究〉，也采用这个观点。此後僵 被认定是魔鬼的帮凶，在欧洲文化中占有一席之地。
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　双手沾满血腥的伯爵夫人
　　
　　
　　１７世纪初期，发生了一件骇人听闻的事，令迷信的匈牙利人异常震惊，那就是１６１１年巴托里（Erzsebet
　　Bathory）伯爵夫人的诉讼案。伯爵夫人住在塞伊特（Csejthe）城堡建在一座丘陵顶上，位於喀尔巴阡山（Carpates）的匈牙利山区。她被控挟持了住在城堡附近村庄里的少女，并把这些可怜的女孩当成屠宰场里的动物般放血。据当时的编年史记载，受害者有８０至３００人，实际情况有
　　３００人。正如德．莱斯和“特普”弗拉德的例子一般，看不出这案件有任何超乎寻常的现象；没有人敢断定巴托里伯爵夫人是一具僵 。但是所有的编年史都记载，伯爵夫人在喝受害者的血时非常快乐，甚至把血装满浴盆，用来淋浴，以永久保持自己的青春美貌。
　　
　　巴托里伯爵夫人的丈夫，原本是纳达斯第（Ferencz
　　Nadasdy）伯爵，向来以勇敢无畏着称，总是丢下她在外征战。伯爵夫人在家闲得无聊，得仆人托尔科（Thorko）怂恿，学会妖术，然後派人劫持一些农家少女，加以折磨。１６００年，伯爵去世，伯爵夫人於是更肆无忌惮地胡作非为。助纣为虐的除了托尔科之外，还有她的奶妈尤奥（Ilo
　　na Joo）、官家乌依瓦里（Johannes Ujvary），以及一个名叫达尔维拉（Darvula）的女巫。
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　巴托里伯爵夫人成为传奇人物
　　
　　
　　十年之内，数十名少女锁在城堡的囚室里，受尽各式酷刑，并且被放血至死。当地少妇失踪事件频传，引起了流言蜚语。
　　
　　为了查个水落石出，１６１０年１２月３０日，伯爵夫人的表兄图尔索（Gyorgy Thurso）伯爵，率领一队士兵和骑兵包围城堡。在临攻破城堡的那一刻，堡里都还在进行着血腥残酷的杀戮。
　　
　　地牢里除了有少妇的 体之外，图尔索一行人还发现一些仍然活着的女囚，有些人的身上留下无数针孔，另一些人尚未受刑，看来是打算留着以後慢慢折磨用的。
　　
　　伯爵夫人由於与王室攀亲带故的而幸免一死，但终身监禁在自己的房里面，窗户和门都堵死，只留下送饭菜的小孔。她的共犯则一律处以极刑。伯爵夫人死后，城堡也跟着荒芜，世世代代受人诅咒。
　　
　　巴托里伯爵夫人事件在匈牙利引起了种种流言，说伯爵夫人死后还在施虐加害无辜百姓，从而成为名副其实的吸血鬼。不管怎麽说，史托克在写〈德古拉〉这本小说时，显然受到伯爵夫人这个传奇人物的启发。至今，在许多电影和小说中，巴托里伯爵夫人的吸血鬼形象，出现的次数与德古
　　拉不相上下。
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　吸血鬼迷信蔓延到东欧最偏僻的地区
　　
　　
　　１７世纪，是吸血鬼迷信向巴尔干半岛诸国、希腊、奥匈帝国东部和俄罗斯蔓延的过程中，最重要的一段时期。中世纪时，几乎整个西欧，包括英国、法国，都流传着僵 的事件，连南欧的西班牙和葡萄牙也时有所闻。到了１６世纪，这类现象在西欧日益罕见，但是在东欧反而兴盛起来。
　　
　　造成这种差异的原因有好几个，首先是社会学方面的：１６世纪末和１７世纪，东欧诸国人民生活贫困，交通不便，山区更是如此。文艺复兴时期的重大发现很难传到这些遥远的地方，这里除了城市的资产阶级外，居民大多是目不识丁的农民。因为，旅游者所讲的迷信故事，在这些国家很
　　受欢迎。
　　
　　其次是宗教方面的原因：在信奉天主教的拉丁国家里，例如西班牙和葡萄牙，罗马教廷依靠宗教裁判所，与异端邪说和迷信展开斗争。
　　
　　然而，在英国这样信仰新教的国家，在斯图亚特（Stuart）王朝统治的时代，宗教改革运动过後，政府和教会两方面开始压制武术，并且大举逮捕女巫。
　　
　　至於东方的世界里，实行拜占庭仪式的教会对迷信宽容得多，甚至把吸血鬼迷信纳入自己的礼拜仪式中，希腊的“活 ”传说便是一个例子。
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　从活尸到吸血鬼
　　
　　
　　希腊很早就流传着一种说法：死去的人可以使自己的 体不受腐蚀，而且能离开坟墓。希腊人称这些“活 ”为“vrykolakas”。这些人死后通常都没有埋葬在宗教仪式祝祷过的土地上，因为他们是自杀或被开除教藉的人。
　　
　　这些受难的灵魂对人无害，只是想离开肉体的躯壳，教会只要取消开除教藉的判决，就能让他们获得安宁。这类寄生的僵 此时还不叫吸血鬼。关於狼人的传说就在这种情况下产生了。希腊人观念里的活 ，从１６世纪起发生了变化。
　　
　　从词源上来说，“vrykolakas”这个词来自斯拉夫语，意思是“狼人”。所以在１６世纪的巴尔干半岛诸国和喀尔巴阡山，人们有同一个词来指不会害人的僵 和危险的狼人
　　。
　　至於认为狼人有人形但可以变成狼的迷信，则要追溯到中世纪的鬼神学（demonologie）。匈牙利国王，也是後来的神圣罗马帝国日耳曼王朝的首领西吉斯蒙（Sigismond），在１４１４年的大公会议上，促使教会正式承认了狼人的存在。
　　
　　到了１６世纪，狼人传说已遍及整个欧洲，罗马教廷於是决定展开一次官方调查。从１５２０年至１７世纪中叶，欧洲的变狼妄想患者就发现约有叁万个例子，人数最多的地方是法国，以及东欧的塞尔维亚、波希米亚和匈牙利。
　　
　　
　　
　　
　　验明正身後走进历史
　　
　　
　　将近１７世纪末，一则关於狼人的流言传播开来，说它们死后就变成吸人血的僵 。西里西亚、波希米亚、波兰、匈牙利、摩达维亚（Moldavie），以及俄罗斯等地，都相继出现了吸血


　　鬼的传闻，而在希腊，对人无害的活 已变成嗜血的恶魔。
　　
　　当时还没有“吸血鬼”这个词，每个国家都用自己特有的词汇来命名这种寄生动物。吸血鬼事件在各地引起了强烈的回响，连在西欧的巴黎也议论纷纷。在法国，深受宫廷赏识的杂志〈优雅信使〉，在１６９４年发行的１０月号还为此出了专刊。
　　
　　１７世纪末，“吸血鬼”这个名称还不是约定俗成的名词，但是在东欧诸国里，有关吸血鬼的迷信已经俨然成为一种社会现象。
　　
　　不过，这种大恐慌只是由一些谣传所引起的，没有见到任何正式的文字记载。要到１８世纪初，才有结集成册的文献问世，为这种毫无根据的迷信，提供了报告和见证。
　　



　　第叁章：属於吸血鬼的时代
　　
　　
　　１８世纪，在启蒙运动推波助澜下，理性赢得胜利，各种迷信严重受挫。独独吸血鬼的迷信大行其道。这股迷信风潮俨然成为社会现象，影响到所有地区，引起了民政、军事，以及宗教等最高当局的关切。
　　
　　
　　１８世纪上半叶吸血鬼迷信蔚然成风
　　
　　
　　面对到处发生的事件，有关当局不得不采取措施，以维持公共秩序。１７１０年，瘟疫流行，东普鲁士深受其害。有鉴於此，当局乃着手调查经人告发的吸血鬼迷信，甚至把一座公墓里的坟墓全部打开，好发现酿成灾难的罪魁祸首－－大家都猜是吸血鬼。因此在奥地利、塞尔维亚、普鲁士
　　、波兰、摩拉维亚和俄罗斯等地，街谈巷议的话题全是吸血鬼。其中最耸人听闻的案例有两个。一个是名叫普罗戈约维奇（Pierre
　　Plogojowitz）的匈牙利农民。据说他在１７２５年死后变成了吸血鬼，在基齐罗瓦（Kizilova）这个小村庄里作怪，害八个人死於非命。另一个也是农民，叫帕奥勒（Arnold
　　Paole）。１７２６年他从一辆装干草的大车上跌下来，摔死后也变成了吸血鬼。帕奥勒被控的罪刑，是造成塞尔维亚梅德韦贾村（Medwegya）的人畜大量死亡。第一个案子有一份官方报告，用德语写成，存放在维也纳档案馆。根据发现手稿的费弗尔（Antoine
　　Faivre）教授的说法，报告中有一个字“vanpir”，是吸血鬼（vampire）这个名词第一次使用在文献里。
　　
　　奥帕勒这个案例，比普罗戈约维奇更引人注目，曾经轰动一时。当局於１７３１年１２月开始正式调查此案，由军医弗鲁肯格（Fluckinger）做笔录，题名〈见闻与发现〉。後交给海杜克（Heiduques）连队的几位军官，以及其他医生附属後，呈送贝尔格勒（Belgrade）的军事法庭。〈见
　　闻与发现〉於１７３２年发表，并多次再版，引起西欧统治阶层极大兴趣。奥地利皇帝查理四世（Charles IV）就十分注意普罗戈约维奇案件的发展情形；法国国王路易１５（Louis XV），也曾要求李西流（Richelieu）公爵把调查的正式结果写成详细的报告。
　　
　　欧洲媒体也为普罗戈约维奇和帕奥勒大费笔墨。〈拾穗者〉（Le
　　Glaneur）是法国和荷兰合办的杂志，在巴黎凡尔赛（Versailles）很受欢迎。１７３２年３月３日出版的那一期，详尽陈述了奥帕勒案件。文中所用的“vampyre”一字，是“吸血鬼”在法语里首次出现。同一年３月１１日的〈伦敦日报〉刊登的一篇文章里，也用了“吸血鬼”这个词。
　　
　　在这两个案件和其他类似的案例之後，不少西方人着手研究吸血鬼迷信的问题，写出一系列论着和文章，在文艺界和大学里也激起无数的争议和论战。
　　



　　医生、教士和哲学家的论说
　　
　　
　　在此之前，关於吸血鬼的各种说法，主要还是来自口述的传说、代代相传的故事，以及各种流言或纯粹的胡扯。尽管１８世纪是理性主义当道，然而，有些内容称得上丰富深刻的着作，作者大都是有名的医生和教士，还是记载了吸血鬼迷信的种种现象，甚且加以编写和分析。
　　
　　１６７９年，第一部论着在德国莱比锡（Leipzig）出版，书名是〈死者咀嚼现象之历史和哲学〉，作者是罗尔（Philip Rohr）。他把死者在坟墓里咀嚼的现象，解释成魔鬼附身。
　　
　　１８世纪，有些人赞同罗尔的超自然观点，另一些人则以理性的名义予以驳斥，把这些现象归结为迷信和无知。这本书在两派之间掀起激烈的论战。
　　
　　此外，莱恩夫特创作的〈随意在坟墓里咀嚼的 体〉，１７２８年在莱比锡出版後就成为名着。莱恩夫特在书中驳斥了罗尔的论点，认为就算死人能够影响活人，但再怎麽样也不可能在活人面前现出原形，而魔鬼也不可能进入死人的肉体。
　　
　　帕奥勒事件发生以後，坊间冒出许多论着，其中有两本着作值得一提：一是１７３２年斯托克（Christian Stock）所写的〈论吸血的 体〉，另一是１７３３年佐普（Johann Heinrich Zopf）的〈论塞尔维亚的吸血鬼〉。
　　



　　教会无意中让吸血鬼迷信成为合理的事
　　
　　
　　面对这样一大批的“科学”论着，教会不可能保持缄默。当时颇负盛名的一本着作，便是出自一位教士之手，他是塞农（Senones）修道院的院长卡尔梅（Dom Augustin Calmet），以注解〈圣经〉闻名。他的书名叫〈论匈牙利、摩利维亚等地的附体鬼魂、被开除教藉的人、吸血鬼或活
　　〉，於１７４６年分成两卷在巴黎出版。卡尔梅院长的本意是要驳斥吸血鬼迷信，但由於书里列举了大量有关这种迷信的例子，流於登录轶事而称不上成熟严谨的着作。不过，许多历史学家、社会学家和人类学家仍对他的书有兴趣。此外，一些在教会里身居要职的教士，在宣传教会的观点
　　时，也不时会提到有关吸血鬼的种种传闻。达万札蒂（Giuseppe Davanzati）是意大利佛罗伦斯的大主教，写过〈论吸血鬼〉，１７７４年出版。最重要的例子是教皇本笃１４世（Benoit XIV），原名朗贝蒂尼（Prospero
　　Lambertini）。他的〈天主赐福和福人列圣〉１７４９年再版时，在第四卷里用了一些篇幅谈到吸血鬼，想以理性来否定它们的存在。
　　
　　在法国，〈百科全书〉的作者们对有关吸血鬼的传闻十分恼火。思想家伏尔泰（Voltaire）在１７８７年出版的〈哲学辞典〉里，对此甚表愤慨；哲学家卢骚（Jean-Jacques
　　Rousseau）则在给巴黎大主教的一封信中，抨击了吸血鬼迷信。启蒙运动正值高潮，吸血鬼迷信居然还蔓延开来，他俩感到不可思议。
　　
　　西方出版讨论吸血鬼迷信的论著，功劳有两个：第一，这类迷信过去只是旅行者或外交人员的道听涂说，现在则广为人知；第二，所有人接受了“吸血鬼”这个名称。从前，表示“附体的鬼魂”或吸血者的字眼很多，从１７３２年开始，也就是帕奥勒事件发生以後，大家不约而同改用“吸血鬼”这个词。此字有“vampyr”、“vampyre”、“wampire”等拼法，相当於拉丁文里的“vampirus”。
　　



　　吸血鬼的主要特徵
　　
　　
　　从１８世纪开始，吸血鬼有了叁个特徵：一、吸血鬼是一个“附体的鬼魂”，而不是在空中游荡的幽灵，也不是魔鬼；二、吸血鬼夜间从坟墓里出来吸活人的血，以便延续还魂后的生命；叁、吸血鬼残害过的人，死后也会变成吸血鬼。
　　
　　传说中的吸血鬼登上银幕后，形象有了少许改变，有些特点夸大了，有些则简化了。电影里，吸血鬼在镜子里没有映像，这不是吸血鬼共通的特徵。只有在属於日耳曼文化的某些地区，人们相信吸血鬼没有影子，所以也没有映像，因为映像和影子都是灵魂的象征，而僵
　　是没有灵魂的。此外，银幕上吸血鬼的牙齿又长又尖，其实是小说家杜撰出来的形象，电影工作者为突显影像效果就采用了。“捕食性动物”不必接触到人，就能致人於死地；吸血鬼不同，它们通常不咬受害者，而从皮肤的毛孔来吸血。电影里，蝙蝠总是吸血鬼的化身，原因可能是法国博物学家布封（Buffon）１７６１年时，把拉丁美洲一些吸牛血的翼手类动物（chiroptera，又称蝙蝠）命名为吸血鬼。事实上，传说中的吸血鬼，能够变成蜘蛛或蝴蝶等各种动物，也能变成雾气或麦。很多人以为，大蒜是对付吸血鬼的万灵丹，其实不然，只有在罗马尼亚一带才有这种说法。不过，吸血鬼倒真的只能在夜间出来，鸡鸣之前必须回到坟墓里去。吸血鬼害怕圣水，因为圣水是生命之源；它也怕圣体和十字架。归根结柢，用木桩扎进吸血鬼的心脏，是结束它万恶生命的最好办法，但电影终究只是电影，这一招并不是次次见效。
　　

　　如何辨认吸血鬼？
　　
　　
　　从１８世纪关於吸血鬼迷信的论着，以及１９世纪相关的调查中，我们大致可以得出吸血鬼的主要特徵。不过，在欧洲不同的国家里仍有许多变种吸血鬼。一般来说，吸血鬼埋进坟墓几个星期後， 体不会变硬，也没有腐烂。另一个特点是它的毛发生长异常，乱蓬蓬的眉毛连成一片，手掌也长出毛来。罗马尼亚的吸血鬼往往有一根长毛的短尾巴，遇到热气就会变粗，据说有了这尾巴，吸血鬼就有超自然的能力。
　　
　　在吸血鬼迷信甚嚣尘上的时候，为了辨别罪魁祸首，人们牵来一匹毛色纯黑或纯白的公马，让它奔驰在墓地上。这匹马从未交过尾，驾驭它的人也要是个童男。如果坟墓里有吸血鬼，马就会直立起来。坟墓附近的地面上若有小洞口，也是墓里有吸血鬼的证据，因为吸血鬼会化成雾气从这些洞口里出来。吸血鬼和女人结合後生下来的人，能一眼就认出吸血鬼。这种人在塞尔维亚叫作“旺比里奇（vampiritch，或vampirovitch），在波希米亚和匈牙利两地，它们则叫“当比莱斯”（dhampires）。
　　



　　变成吸血鬼的方法
　　
　　
　　理论上来说，每个人在死后都可能变成吸血鬼，不过某些人特别有可能，例如被开除教藉的人、自杀者、暴死者、巫师、早夭的樱儿，以及去世后没有举行基督教葬礼的人。有些人生来就注定是这种悲惨的命运，例如出生时嘴里有牙齿，或者“头上一胎膜”的人（就是头顶上覆盖着一块羊 膜或胎盘）；眼珠的颜色极深或呈很淡的蓝色；长着一头红棕色发，像出卖耶稣的使徒犹大（Judas），或者身上长红斑。
　　
　　这些人死後，在装进棺材和埋葬时要倍加小心。在罗马尼亚，当地人用一根钉子钉进死者额头，把他的身体用针刺穿，或者涂上在圣依纳爵（Saint-Ignace）日里宰杀的猪的油脂；这一天是２月１日，纪念叙利亚安提阿城的主教依纳爵。为了防止吸血鬼的灵魂回来附体，要在死人嘴里放一 样东西，例如在罗马尼亚是放一瓣蒜，在希腊是放一块圣餐中的饼，而在萨克森则是一个柠檬。为了不让 体离开坟墓，大家就把它钉在棺材的底板上。
　　
　　在捷克北部苏台德山区，人们把 体裹在形状像长袜的线袋里，吸血鬼每年只能拆开一个网眼。在俄罗斯，棺木里要放一些罂粟的种子，如此一来，吸血鬼每天夜里都要数数种子有多少粒。自杀者和开除教藉的人，死后总是埋葬在两条路的交叉路口上。塞尔维亚人为了使住宅不遭受吸血鬼的攻击，常常用柏油在门窗上画一个十字架；罗马尼亚人则在所有的房间里都挂上大蒜瓣，还用大蒜擦拭门窗、壁炉和锁孔。至於在俄罗斯，人们把罂粟的种子或者蔷薇的刺，撒在所有通向墓地的道路上，这样一来，吸血鬼就不得不把它们一个一个拣起来。
　　



　　“大修”，吸血鬼之死
　　
　　
　　为了斩草除根，就必须用木桩刺穿吸血鬼的心脏。在俄罗斯是用山杨木，这种木料是用来制作十字架的。其他国家则多半用山渣树木，让人联想起耶稣受难时所戴的荆冠。至於在南斯拉夫的达尔马提亚（Dalmatia）地区，及阿尔巴尼亚（Albania）的人，倒是用由牧师祝福过的匕首。
　　
　　罗马尼亚人把这种仪式称为“大修”（grande reparation），要在拂晓时分进行。主持仪式的人必须用木桩一下子刺中心脏，否则吸血鬼可能复活。如果 体没有化成飞灰，就用掘墓的铲子砍掉脑袋，再把 体烧成灰後随风飞扬；要不然就把 体掩埋在两条路的交叉口上。
　　



　　迷信是否已经结束？
　　
　　
　　１８世纪末，在德国和法国的大学和文艺沙龙里，吸血鬼迷信仍是重要话题。不过，昔日让人伤脑筋的超自然事件，现在却变得罕见了。启蒙运动带来的实证主义观点，在欧洲最偏僻的地区也逐渐普及开来。瘟疫大流行的时代过去後，吸血鬼迷信也渐渐退烧。１９世纪仍有关吸血鬼的记载，但已不若以往受人瞩目。欧洲工业化之後，人们的生活方式逐渐改变，旧时的迷信都渐渐消失。然而在喀尔巴阡山一带，吸血鬼的迷信今天依然存在。
　　
　　启蒙运动鼓吹科学精神和理性思想，消弭了有关吸血鬼的传闻，却未能阻止人在想像世界中赋与它各种面貌。为了反对无处不在的唯物实证主义，为了对往昔神奇美妙的事物一抒怀旧之情，浪漫主义文学运动一起，吸血鬼传说很快就死灰复燃。早在１７４８年，有个叫奥森费尔德（Ossenf elder）的德国人，就写了一首短诗，预示吸血鬼即将透过文学而复活。
　　



　　第四章：从血中复活
　　
　　
　　“在我面前站着一个高大的老人，他刚修过脸，只留下两撮白色小胡子。从头到脚穿得一身黑，没有其他颜色。”１８９７年，史托克的书使吸血鬼生机再现。进入文学之後的德古拉，看起来既虚幻又真实，而这两个世界之间，往往仅有一线之隔。
　　
　　史托克小说是英国维多利亚（Victoria）时代的产物。小说为吸血鬼迷信写下新页，既让吸血鬼传说得以复活，也让它历久弥新，但同时又深深改变了这种传说的意义。但应该强调一点：德古拉并不是出自某一个偶然的、突发的想像，而是启蒙运动末期就出现的一种文学传统所酝酿的结果 。
　　
　　
　　
　　理性思想胜利
　　
　　
　　从１８世纪下半叶起，工业革命逐渐改变欧洲的面貌，这个新世界里不再有巫婆、魔鬼和鬼魂。吸血鬼虽然源自人类的远古时代，却是欧洲人想像出来的新奇事物。在启蒙时代初期，乡村式的，由迷信的农民居住的欧洲，吸血鬼迷信体现了人类祖先的一切恐惧。经过１８世纪《百科全书》编辑群的分析、解释乃至嘲讽，吸血鬼确实是该消失，称为博物馆里的一件陈列品。实际上，从１８实际下半叶开始，科技进步造成的奇迹使人们赞叹不已，报刊已不大谈论吸血鬼了。
　　
　　１９世纪初，报上还提起匈牙利或塞尔维亚的一些村庄，说那里的人仍然会打开坟墓寻找吸血鬼，但是读者对这话题已不感兴趣。随着治金术、铁路和煤气照明等新事物一一到来，欧洲人的生活方式眼看就要发生大变化。
　　
　　工业革命迅速改变了欧洲的面貌，在英国、法国和德国，新的社会形态相继诞生。这种新的社会里，既不再有过去的想法和迷信。实证主义的科学获得胜利，从事工商业的资产阶级所形成的意识形态居主导地位，这个意识形态又是以劳动、盈利、宗教，以及各等级的尊重为基础，是社会秩序的支柱。１９世纪下半叶维多利亚时代的英国，忠实地呈现这种社会文化的枷锁：一切偏离礼仪和既定价值的东西都打入冷宫，受到严厉的压抑。然而就在这种时代氛围下的英国，史托克笔下的〈德古拉〉诞生了。
　　



　　浪漫主义兴起，吸血鬼迷信复苏
　　
　　
　　１８世纪末的浪漫主义，可以看成是启蒙运动时期的实证主义和工业革命的否定。在德国的浪漫主义者，延续资产阶级在文学上兴起的“狂飙运动”（Sturmund Drang）；而在英国，浪漫派承袭怪异幻想文学的“哥德式”（Gothic）小说。它们强烈反对当时流行的理性主义和唯物主义，宣称个人比团体重要，感情和激情比冷漠而可观的逻辑更胜一筹。他们怀念过去相信奇事的时代，宁愿从古代和中世纪汲取创作灵感，而不以现代世界为素材。
　　
　　１９世纪初开始，英国的第二代浪漫主义者就对超自然的现象兴趣浓厚，并用诗歌再现了吸血鬼传说。这种吸血鬼迷信往往深具寓意，通常也模仿了上一代德国作家，布尔格（Burger）的〈莱诺勒〉（１７９３）和歌德（Goethe）的〈科林斯的未婚妻〉（１７９７），把死神表现为来自冥界的少女或少男，人若和他们拥抱便会死去。吸血鬼传说从此敷上一层浓厚的情欲色彩，成为浪漫主义者最喜爱的题材。昔日，卡尔梅笔下的僵 不会勾引妇女，他所描写的吸血鬼传说里，也不包含任何性的意涵；现在，吸血鬼传说改变了。
　　
　　受到古代传说和中世纪民谣的影响，浪漫主义诗歌里出现的迷人吸血鬼，也都是些要人命的女人，例如英国诗人柯律芝（Coleridge）〈克丽丝特贝尔〉里的杰拉丁；济慈的〈无情的美人〉和〈拉弥亚〉也是很好的例子。对诗人来说，这些女人是否吸人的血无关紧要，关键是她们能同时让人体验快乐和死亡，而“受害者”也完全心甘情愿。这就表示，在吸血鬼和被吸血的人之间，有一种施虐和受虐的关系，这种关系在今天的幻想文学中仍然找得到。
　　
　　浪漫主义时代以後，文学中仍然可见一种写作惯例：用吸血鬼代表致命的女人。１８６６年，法国诗人波特莱尔（Charles Baudelaire）在〈吸血鬼的变形〉里，把这种女人写成堕落的花痴。散文世界里，要人命女人的例子也俯拾皆是。法国诗人戈蒂耶（Theophile
　　Gautier）的〈多情的女 〉里，有一位迷人的克拉丽蒙德（Clarimonde）；爱尔兰作家勒．法努（Le Fanu）的〈卡蜜拉〉里，女主角诱人而神秘。当然还有德古拉城堡里叁名美丽的女俘，哈克见到她们，一度因把持不住而心猿意马。
　　



　　吸血鬼进入散文世界
　　
　　
　　吸血鬼如果只出现在诗歌中，也许不会那麽受大众欢迎。要不是波里道利（John William Polidori）把吸血鬼引进了散文领域，在中篇小说〈吸血鬼〉里塑造主人翁吕特温（Ruthven）爵士，史托克恐怕永远也构思不出德古拉这个角色来。事情要从１８１６年７月的瑞士日内瓦说起。英国诗人拜伦（Byron）和人打赌，要写一部以吸血鬼达尔韦（Darvell）为主角的小说。这部小说後来未能完成，但是拜伦把小说的情节告诉了他的秘？书兼私人医生波里道利。波里道利对拜伦不满，最後与拜伦分道扬镳，离开瑞士，１８１７年回到英国。这时，波里道利开始写一部中篇小说，以拜伦未完的故事为大纲，不过更换了人物的名字。吸血鬼达尔韦变成了吕特温爵士，是个随便勾引良家妇女的浪荡子，性格、作风与拜伦本人神似。１８１９年４月，〈新月刊〉发表了这篇小说，主编私自把小说的作者改成拜伦。这麽一来，债台高筑的波里道利更是雪上加霜，埋没於拜伦的盛名之下，很快就被人遗忘；小说则不然，不但再版多次，还译成法文。１８２０年，法国作家诺地耶（Charles Nodier）把小说改编成戏剧；１８５２年，法国小说家大仲马（Alexandre Dumas）也拿来改编。仗着拜伦的名气，波里道利的故事掀起一阵吸血鬼风潮，甚至引起一连串抄袭之作。
　　
　　吸血鬼迷喜欢到专演恐怖戏的剧院，向他们的偶像齐声喝采。诺地耶的〈吸血鬼〉於１８２０年上演，１８２３年重映，圣马丁门剧院里经常满座。其他以吸血鬼为骨干的创作，还有情节剧、通俗剧和喜歌剧。
　　
　　波里道利的故事，让吸血鬼在文学中占有一席之地。由这个故事，大众了解了这个角色，也塑造了诱惑者的贵族吸血鬼，史托克的〈德古拉〉便是这种角色的化身。
　　



　　恐怖故事大流行
　　
　　
　　１８５０年开始，戏剧和通俗文学里的吸血鬼，不再像刚出现时那样时髦了。由於一再炒冷饭，以此为题材的作品数量减少，品质也大为低落：在欧洲大部分国家里，大众对吸血鬼已经感到厌倦。只有维多利亚时代的英国，对幻想和恐怖作品的兴趣不减反浓。
　　
　　英国人迷恋超自然现象和死亡场面，不是一天两天的事，而是这个有着悠久历史的民族向来的传统。英伦叁岛一向是幽灵之乡，这里的人喜欢恐怖的故事。工业革命间接加强了这种传统。在追求物质享受但虚伪透顶的维多利亚时代，众人认可的价值只有工作、金钱和宗教，幻想作品於是成为理想逃避方式。在骇人的故事里，事物的秩序受到嘲弄，既定的道德规范也受到质疑，所以阅读这类故事就成了一种发 。１８４０年起，廉价杂志大行其道，连载的是又臭又长，糟糕透顶的故事。其中有一部长篇小说〈吸血鬼瓦尔内〉，於１８４７年结集出版，作者不详。
　　




　　卡蜜拉，德古拉的祖先
　　
　　
　　在１９世纪后半的几十年里，鬼魂故事热横扫英国社会的各个阶层，连小说家狄更斯（Dickens），以及作家布尔沃-利顿（Bulwer-Lytton）等知名人物也欣然动笔。当时的社会制度虚伪至极，只要用的是隐语，让既定的道德规范在结局获胜，那麽无论写出多可怕，多淫秽的故事，都可以逃过书报审察官的法眼。
　　
　　１８７１年，就是在这样的气氛里，勒．法努的〈卡蜜拉〉出版了。旧时迷信吸血鬼的传统竟得复兴，史托克的〈德古拉〉呼之欲出。〈卡蜜拉〉这部中篇小说追根溯源，把故事背景安排在施蒂里亚（Styrie），那是吸血鬼出没的地方。小说的主要人物是卡恩斯坦（Millarea von Karnstein）伯爵夫人，又名卡蜜拉，俨然是巴托里伯爵夫人的化身。勒．法努巧妙利用了吸血鬼迷信中的性的因素，把女主角描绘成一个淫荡的女人，在维多利亚时代的道德观中，是罪大恶极的写照。故事结尾，罪恶终於在上帝的力量下溃退，所以具有教育意义；但是女吸血鬼与女性“受害者”之间的关系暧昧不清，而同性恋在英国算是一种罪行，因此，这个故事同时也有引诱人犯罪的嫌疑。就这样，勒．法努在尊重官方道德规范的同时，也满足了读者们脱离常轨的趣味。後来史托克得知 中叁味，创作时也师法这种写作技巧。
　　



　　德古拉〉和吸血鬼在１９世纪再创新猷
　　
　　
　　１８９７年出版的〈德古拉〉，在用文学表现吸血鬼迷信的历程上确实是个转捩点。这部小说复兴了１８世纪一度流行的“哥德式”精神，又让吸血鬼迷信再度出现，为一则流传至今的现代神话奠定基础。
　　
　　小说缔造了如此成就，作者史托克若有机会知道，大概会吃惊－－他并不是一位专业作家。史托克原本在友人艾尔文管理的莱森戏院里当舞台监督，只把写作当成一种兴趣，就像法国画家安格尔（Ingres）偶尔也拉拉小提琴一样。直到剧院１９０３年关门之後，他才成为专事写作的小说家。史托克从小就喜欢阅读一些幻想故事，波里道利的〈吸血鬼〉、〈吸血鬼瓦尔内〉、〈卡蜜拉〉，以及译自德文，在１８６０年出版的小说〈神秘的陌生人〉。他都耳熟能详。後来，史托克自己也想写一个吸血鬼的故事，於是参阅了有关吸血鬼迷信的资料，以及特兰西瓦尼亚的传说，尤其仔细读了杰洛（Emily Gerard）的〈在森林那方〉，杰洛是 传协会“金色黎明”的成员，学会了神秘学和魔法，书里不时出现有关魔法的叙述。此外，在匈牙利布达佩斯（Budapest）大学教授东方语言的范贝里（Arminius Vambery），对中欧的历史和民间传说了如指掌。史托克与范贝里见面，对小说的写成产生决定性的影响。范贝里有以此途径伦敦，向史托克讲诉了真有其人的德古拉，也就是“普特”弗德拉的故事。史托克为这个富有异国情调的响亮名字所吸引，决定用它来当小说的主人翁。〈德古拉〉１８９７年出版，当时作者删去的第一章，後来由史托克的遗孀於１９１４年另行出版，取名为〈德古拉的客人〉、其中有个女爵德．格拉茨（Dolingen de Gratz），是模仿卡蜜拉的。
　　



　　哈克动身前往特兰西瓦尼亚
　　
　　
　　一般人主要是从电影认识〈德古拉〉这部小说，然而原着搬上银幕前已先经过改编，所以有必要概述一下小说的内容。青年乔纳森．哈克是公证人的书记，奉派前往特兰西瓦尼亚，与一个叫德古拉的伯爵洽谈一桩生意，因为伯爵想购买英国的一处房产。一日，哈克在翻阅一本小说时，发现它像是一份档案，其中有信件、日记等等。他由此文件里发现一个可怕的 密：德古拉伯爵是一具僵 ，一个夜间从棺材里爬出来吸人血的吸血鬼。勇敢的年轻人於是跟踪监视伯爵的罪刑，善恶双方也展开一次又一次的对决。开始时，代表恶的德古拉占上风，看上哈克未婚妻米娜（Mina）的朋友露西（Lucy），不幸的露西血被吸干，然後死去。但是象征善的哈克扭转颓势，最後和米娜、范．赫尔辛教授，以及美国人昆西．莫里斯（Quincey Morris）等人一同战胜了吸血鬼。莫里斯用匕首刺穿德古拉心脏，德古拉立刻化为灰烬消失了，米娜得以从魔法中解脱。
　　
　　史托克的小说采用新闻体的写作方式，让读者可以如临现场般看着主人翁，如何发现恐怖情事，如何与恶势力抗争。〈德古拉〉是这类型小说中的经典，再现了英国“哥德式”小说的风格，一座中世偷某潜ぃ行┎糠忠殉蟹闲妫裨崴?的地下室里隐藏着可怕的秘密。然而故事发生在19世纪末的现代，小说的部分情节在伦敦展开，而且不断提到医学上的最新发展，特别是伦费埃尔德的病例所涉及的精神病学，这是医学的新领域。这部小说援用可徵信的资料，首开幻想文学之先河。史托克曾在大英博物馆的图书馆里待上好些天，查阅各种有关吸血鬼的迷信，以及特兰西瓦尼亚的历史、地理、风俗和民间传说等方面的资料。史托克小说里的德古拉伯爵，具备传统吸血鬼的所有特点：没有映像，害怕大蒜和十字架，可以随意变成动物的模样，只能在夜间活动，只靠血来维持生存。尽管〈德古拉〉读来有些沉重，且技巧不甚成熟，仍被视为幻想文学的杰作。此书经常再版，且译成多种语言。它启示了大量的文学作品，而且创造了一个神秘的形象，这形象到了20世纪将更见鲜明。
　　

　　“本世纪最美的小说”
　　
　　
　　〈德古拉〉一出版便大获成功，受到好评。虽然它的声望在今天已大不如前，因而未能成为一部传世之作，当时英国报界却非常支持它：〈蓓尔美尔街新闻〉认为它“极其出色”；〈每日邮报〉甚至将它与布朗特（Emily Bronte）的〈咆哮山庄〉，以及爱伦坡（Edgar Allan Poe）的〈厄舍古厦的倒塌〉等英国表现主义文学的杰作相提并论。维多利亚时代的读者酷爱超自然的故事，德古拉这个角色则具有能迎合他们阅读取向的一切特点。
　　
　　小说的善恶二元论恰到好处，让美德战胜罪恶，所以符合既定的道德规范。此外，德古拉这个魔鬼般的人物，无论怎样装扮都是邪恶的化身。他来自欧洲大陆一个遥远的国家，企图扰乱英国社会的合谐秩序，这一点，多少满足了维多利亚时代人们潜在的排外心理。在小说的某些段落里，隐约可见肉欲的流动，这算是给读者一种新的兴味，因为在礼教和道德的约束下，大家不敢公开承认情欲的存在，视之为禁忌。今天的读者与小说间已有隔阂，会认为这部假道学之作淫秽不堪，描写吸血鬼和受害者之间的性关系。它也是一部颠覆色彩浓厚的小说，因为受伯爵控制的人，都是些维多利亚时代的
　　平凡小人物，而竟获胜。
　　

　　20世纪产生的传说
　　
　　
　　〈德古拉〉出版後大受欢迎，但在作者史托克的有生之年里，并没有成为一则神话。德古拉远不如神探福尔摩斯（Sherlock Holmes）那样家喻户晓，史托克的名声也无法与柯南．道尔（Conan Doyle）相比；毕竟道尔曾收到成千读者的来信。让史托克的小说成为传奇的，首推戏剧，电影则尾随其後。
　　
　　１９２４年６月，史托克去世已１２年，〈德古拉〉由迪恩（Hamilton Deane）搬上舞台，首次在英格兰中部的德比（Derby）上演。主人翁的装扮－－晚礼服和黑披风，从此成为现代吸血鬼共同的特色。１９２７年６月，该剧在伦敦重映，大获成功，同年９月跨越大西洋，在美国纽约百老汇（Broadway）上演。扮演伯爵的演员，是原籍匈牙利的贝拉．卢戈西．布拉斯科（Bela Lugosi Blasko），他后来在电影中把这角色演得丝丝入扣，德古拉终於成为一个传奇人物。
　　
　　１９３１年，布朗宁导演的〈吸血狂魔〉，是根据史托克小说改编的第一部有声电影，主角是贝拉．卢戈西。不过在此之前，有一部穆瑙（Friedrich Murnau）所导的默片〈吸血鬼诺斯菲拉杜〉，堪称是德国表现主义的杰作。但此片１９２２年上映时并不受观众青睐，原因是它涉及一桩违反着作权的官司。另外还有一部世界名片，是１９３２年丹麦导演德莱耶（Carl Theodor Dreyer）拍摄的〈吸血鬼〉、这部随意改编〈卡蜜拉〉的影片固然令人赞叹。不过，与布朗宁的影片相比却大形失色。因此，关於德古拉的现代神话，可说是产生於１９３１年的好莱坞，而由这时候到１９５８年为止，吸血鬼类型电影以美国人的创作居多。
　　
　　会在美国，又发生在这段时期，并非出於偶然：美国当时正处於历史上一个最黑暗的时期。１９２９年，纽约华尔街金融行情暴跌，数百万人破产。对大部分美国人来说，与其他电影中的妖魔相比，德古拉身上凝聚着由经济危机所引起的仇恨和焦虑。德古拉具象征意义，是受人憎恨的陌生人，大家把社会上的一切苦难都归咎於他。而贝拉．卢戈西的匈牙利口音、苍白面容和邪恶微笑，都有助他把角色诠释得唯妙唯肖。
　　
　　第二次世界大战结束前，这部影片在美国还启发了许许多多的通俗文学。在这类文学作品里，德古拉及其潜意识中，德古拉一干人等，分别代表布尔什维主义和纳粹主义。最初的传统由此产生了奇特的变化。
　　



　　传说驰名国际
　　
　　
　　５０年代，美国的通俗文化渗入了共产主义集团之外的所有国家。德古拉已是“美国生活方式”的一部分，这则传说也几乎随美国文化传遍世界各地。吸血鬼电影在意大利、西班牙、墨西哥，甚至菲律宾上演。德古拉本人也更换模样：１９５８年，在费雪〈Terence
　　Fisher〉的影片〈德古拉的噩梦〉里，英国演员克里斯多佛．李（Christopher Lee）继贝拉．卢戈西、夏内（Lon Chaney）和卡拉定（John Carradine）之後也扮演德古拉。克里斯多佛．李长得和卢戈西不大一样，所以他赋与吸血鬼伯爵全新的形象：五十来岁、高大英俊、两鬓花白、举止威严，神情兼富贵族的优雅和兽性。德古拉从此拥有又长又尖的獠牙，只要一张开嘴就会露出来。克里斯多佛．李在１２部影片中扮演史托克笔下的这号人物，直到演腻这个角色为止。１９７６年，莫里纳罗（Edouard Molinaro）把克罗茨（Clande Klotz）的小说〈巴黎吸血鬼〉改编成喜剧片〈德古拉，父与子〉，克里斯多佛．李在影片中以戏谑的演法嘲讽自己过去的表演。对那个年代的人来说，克里斯多佛．李的演技已是出神入化，所以后来扮演德古拉的演员大都只是模仿他而已。
　　
　　到了１９７９年，德古拉在银幕上的形象发生极为明显的变化。这时有两部差别很大的电影偏离传统的形象。第一部是德国巨匠荷索（Werner Herzog）重拍的〈诺斯菲拉杜〉，主角克劳斯．金斯基（Klaus Kinski）又恢复成穆瑙影片里，主角施雷克的打扮：秃头，尖得不像样的耳朵，一张鬼魅般的面孔。第二部是美国导演约翰．贝汉（John Badham）的〈月黑风高〉，片中由法兰克．兰吉拉（Frank Langella）饰演的德古拉，既年轻又迷人，魅力难以抗拒。
　　




　　从电影到现代世界
　　
　　
　　然而有一点一定要强调，吸血鬼电影并非只取材於〈德古拉〉这部小说。勒．法努的中篇小说〈卡蜜拉〉也曾经多次搬上银幕，最浪漫动人的也许是罗杰．华丁（所拍的〈死於温柔乡〉、巴托里伯爵夫人在银幕上也大放异彩，女伶德尔菲娜．塞利格，在库梅尔的影片〈红唇〉中，用迷一般的美丽容颜，成功诠释了这个角色。当代电影试图摆脱老套的体裁，於是吸血鬼的题材再度获得新生。例如在〈千年血后〉和〈恶夜之吻〉等片中，吸血鬼的形象都非常现代化。靠着电影、文学、电视和漫画，史托克留给我们的吸血鬼传说才得以流传下来。但是在流传的过程中，随着环境和人们意识形态的改编，吸血鬼传说的意义也有所不同。
　　
　　吸血鬼今天已世俗化：不再害怕大蒜或十字架，丧失大部分魔力；抛弃了贵族头衔和喀尔巴阡山的城堡，混入现代化城市的人群中。现代吸血鬼仍是在夜间吸血的动物，有些方面却算得上迷人，甚至令人产生好感，介於传说中的吸血鬼，以及史托克的〈德古拉〉这两个极端之间。尽管有这些不同面貌，现代吸血鬼仍然和古代的人面蛇身女怪，以及特蓝西瓦尼的僵 一样，体现了我们对鲜血、黑夜、生死的迷惑和不安。