The History and Canonical Status of the Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch is an ancient text composed of multiple sections written by various authors between about 300 BC and 100 AD. While it claims to be written by Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam mentioned in Genesis, this claim is false, and scholars classify the work as pseudepigrapha—writings falsely attributed to biblical figures.
Today, the oldest complete manuscripts of the Book of Enoch are preserved in the Ethiopian Ge’ez language, with surviving copies dating mostly from the 15th century onward. Ge’ez is a Semitic liturgical language used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and some Ethiopian Jewish communities. Earlier fragments and portions in Aramaic, Greek, and Latin have also been discovered, including Aramaic fragments among the Dead Sea Scrolls. These small fragments confirm much of the text's antiquity and suggest it was originally composed in Aramaic or possibly Greek before being translated into Ge’ez centuries later.
Notably, the Book of Parables section (chapters 37–71), which includes messianic figures such as the "Son of Man," is missing from the Dead Sea Scrolls but present only in the Ethiopian version. This absence raises questions about the development and authenticity of this part of the Book of Enoch, with some scholars suggesting it could be a later addition influenced by Jewish or Gnostic ideas and written after Jesus.
The Ethiopian Church includes the Book of Enoch in its biblical canon, which is significantly larger than the common Christian Bible, containing 81 books. However, this inclusion does not reflect wider acceptance among other Christian or Jewish traditions. The Ethiopian canon also includes other texts, such as the Book of Josippon, which is a medieval Jewish historical work, indicating a more inclusive approach to canonization within the Ethiopian Church, compared to traditional Christianity.
Among early Christian figures, Tertullian was a notable advocate for including the Book of Enoch in the canon, largely based on his belief that it was genuinely authored by the biblical Enoch (which is not true) and its perceived relevance to Christian teachings (which is also false). However, he lacked broad support, and mainstream Christianity rejected the book’s canonicity. Jude’s brief citation of Enoch in the New Testament contributed to some uncertainty about the book of Jude's status but ultimately the epistle did secure acceptance as divinely inspired Scripture.
In summary, the Book of Enoch is an ancient work of some historical interest but is not recognized as canonical by most Jewish and Christian traditions. Its transmission history—fragmented manuscripts, later translations, and textual variations—means its accuracy and authority are rightly questioned. Its place within the Ethiopian Bible is unique but not representative of a universal consensus.
