Book of Enoch  [4QEnAra (4Q201)]

Aramaic: Sefer Hanokh

One of 11 Aramaic fragments of a composite apocalypse previously known only in translation (Ethiopic, Greek) found in Cave 4 at Qumran. Other fragments were found in 3 other caves. Some small Greek fragments found in cave 7 (7Q4, 5, 8, 11) have also become the center of recent scholarly debate over whether they are from early Christian scriptures (Mark, James & I Timothy) or from I Enoch.

4 of the 5 sections of 1 Enoch are represented by Qumran fragments:

  • Book of Watchers [1 En 6-36]

  • Astronomical Book [1 En 72-82]

  • Dream Visions [1 Enoch 83-90], & 

  • the Letter of Enoch [1 En 91-105].

But the absence of the Parables of Enoch [1 En 37-71] at Qumran indicates that this portion of Ethiopic Enoch was probably inserted into the text of the apocalypse somewhere else.

For more information see:

  • Enoch - image & translation of fragment 4Q201 (from on-line exhibit of Dead Sea Scrolls posted by Library of Congress). 

Other important Dead Sea Scrolls

Perspective on the World of Jesus

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