Enoch: A Man for All Generations

Studies on Personalities of the Old Testament

by James C. VanderKam

Credited with predicting the flood and foretelling a second punishment but mentioned only briefly in the Hebrew Bible, Enoch is one of the most intriguing yet little-known characters of ancient Jewish and Christian literature. Genesis devotes just four verses to Enoch; yet this man became a central figure in many of the oldest surviving Jewish legends of apocalypse, the subject of a larger number of traditions during the intertestamental period, and a significant character in early Christian writing. In this examination of ancient references to Enoch and to Enochian themes, James C. VanderKam illumines the range of ancient testimonies to the man, his teachings, and his work.

As he introduces readers to the mostly extrabiblical traditions surrounding Enoch, VanderKam addresses the significant question of how the canon of the Hebrew Bible came to be decided. He also uses the Enochian literature as a point of departure for an analysis of the apocalyptic literary tradition and the historical connection between Jewish and Mesopotamian thought.

207 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1995

Reviews

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The University of South Carolina series Studies on Personalities of the Old Testament is a good one. Often obscure individuals require some explanation. James VanderKam does an admirable job taking on Enoch. Still, you have to wonder if the book couldn't have been a little more engaging. Using a text-based approach, the author lays out the texts, lacunae and all, that mention Enoch. This can lead to quite a bit of dry academese. Enoch is a vital and exciting character.

As I mention on my blog (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), Enoch lives on in such popular culture treatments as Dogma and any number of esoteric interpretations of this biblical character. One thing that comes through clearly, however, is that references to Enoch in antiquity are rare. For some reason, however, the set of booklets that came together under the name 1 Enoch are attributed to him. Indeed, if you're looking for a readable account to describe 1 Enoch VanderKam is a sure guide. He knows this literature well. Perhaps I was expecting a bit more flash and tease, but I learned quite a bit by reading this book.

Enoch didn't really take off in the Jewish imagination after the Second Temple Period. Early Christians, however, latched onto him as a kind of forerunner, like Elijah. No doubt this was largely because of the cryptic reference in Genesis that suggests Enoch may not have died. His solar connections and his obviously unrevealed backstory make him a figure that inspires curiosity. I recommend this book for the curious. It can be a little rough going at points, but you'll find the information you need from an expert who knows the textual base exceptionally well.

[Christian Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here, VanderKam provides an academic tracing of the life of Enoch. However, this is more than just a biographical work, as he emphasizes the reading of 1 Enoch and provides context and a brief commentary on the apocalyptic work.