Source: Margaret Barker, The Hidden Tradition of the Kingdom of God (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2007), 29–53.
This podcast delves into the Enoch traditions, a collection of ancient Jewish texts attributed to the biblical figure Enoch. The author argues that these traditions, focusing on Enoch's heavenly ascent and acquisition of divine knowledge, were a significant and original theological framework of the Jerusalem temple, predating the prominence of Moses and the Exodus narrative. Consequently, early Christianity deeply integrated Enochic concepts, such as the Kingdom of God, the resurrected Messiah, and the angelic realm, suggesting that understanding these traditions is crucial for a more accurate picture of both Jewish and Christian origins. The text explores how these once central ideas were later marginalized within both religious contexts, advocating for a re-evaluation of the Old Testament and early Christian writings through the lens of this "hidden tradition."
1. Enoch's Heavenly Ascent and Transformation: A defining characteristic of the Enoch traditions is the narrative of Enoch being taken up to heaven, where he gains knowledge and undergoes a transformative process, often becoming an angelic figure like Metatron.
2. The Structure and Secrets of the Heavenly Realm: The Enoch texts extensively describe the heavenly temple, the throne of God, and the hierarchies of angels. Enoch is shown the secrets of the cosmos, including the division of the Kingdom, the paths of celestial bodies, and the workings of natural phenomena.
3. The Prominence of Angels and the Angelic World: The Enoch traditions place a significant emphasis on angels, both righteous and fallen. The texts detail their roles, their influence on humanity (especially the fallen angels teaching forbidden knowledge), and their presence in the heavenly and earthly realms.
4. The Concept of Divine Knowledge and Wisdom: Enoch's ascents are primarily for the acquisition of divine knowledge and wisdom. This includes understanding the creation, the course of history, moral and cosmic order, and the secrets of God's Kingdom. This knowledge is portrayed as essential for maintaining righteousness and the cosmic covenant.
5. An Ancient Temple Tradition and Critique of Later Religious Developments: The Enoch traditions are presented as a very old theological system rooted in the first temple period, offering a different perspective compared to the traditions that became dominant in second temple Judaism, particularly concerning the role of Moses and the Exodus. This tradition emphasizes concepts like the original priesthood, the Day of Atonement, and a different understanding of key biblical narratives.
1. Who was Enoch according to the Hebrew Scriptures and why is he considered significant in later traditions?
Enoch appears briefly in Genesis as the seventh generation from Adam, who "walked with God" and then "was no more, because God took him." While seemingly a minor figure in the Hebrew Bible, Enoch is highly significant in later Jewish and early Christian traditions. The Greek version of Ben Sira names him first and last in its list of great men, considering him an "example of repentance" and unique for being "taken up from the earth." Early Christians saw him as a prophet who foretold judgment and the destruction of the temple. The textual confusion surrounding his departure suggests he was a controversial figure associated with knowledge and ascent to heaven. The discovery of numerous Enoch scrolls among the Dead Sea Scrolls further underscores his importance in ancient Hebrew thought, indicating that the Enoch tradition was a vital, though often overlooked, part of the heritage shared by Judaism and Christianity.
2. What are the major collections of Enochic literature and what is known about their origins and preservation?
There are three major collections: 1 Enoch (Ethiopic Enoch), 2 Enoch (Slavonic Enoch), and 3 Enoch (Hebrew Enoch). 1 Enoch is a five-part anthology preserved most fully in Ethiopic, with Aramaic fragments of four sections found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, indicating a pre-Christian origin. The missing section, the Parables (or Similitudes), has elements resembling early Christianity, suggesting it might have been interpreted by 50 BCE. 2 Enoch survives only in Old Slavonic and possibly originated in the Egyptian Jewish community around the time of Jesus. 3 Enoch is a Hebrew compendium collected by Babylonian Jews around the fifth century CE. The dating and origins of all three are debated. Notably, post-Christian texts of 1 and 2 Enoch were preserved by Christian scribes, while 3 Enoch was compiled in a Jewish context, highlighting a shared heritage that eventually diverged.