Text of the Book of Enoch.
Chapters 72 - 82
Books of the Luminaries.
1 After 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.
2 Its chariot, which it secretly ascends, the wind blows; and light is given to it by measure.
3 Every 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…is to exist. I.e., when the moon is full (Knibb, p. 171).
4 Thus it rises, and at its commencement towards the east goes forth for thirty days.
5 At 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.
6 Half 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.
7 And when the sun rises, the moon rises with it; receiving half a portion of light.
8 On that night, when it commences its period, previously to the day of the month, the moon sets with the sun.
9 And 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.
10 During the remainder of its period its light increases to fourteen portions.
1 Then 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 qodesh angel who conducted them all.
2 Their stations I wrote down as he showed them to me.
3 I wrote down their months, as they occur, and the appearance of their light, until it is completed in fifteen days.
4 In each of its two seven portions it completes all its light at rising and at setting.
5 On 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.
6 Again 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.
7 When the sun proceeds to the fourth gate, the moon goes forth for seven days, until it passes from the fifth gate.
8 Again 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;
9 And returns in seven days to the fourth gate, from which the sun goes forth.
10 Thus I beheld their stations, as according to the fixed order of the months the sun rises and sets.
11 At 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;
12 So that the moon has thirty days less than the sun and stars.
13 The 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.
14 To 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.
15 For its days in eight years are less than those of the sun by eighty days, which eighty days are its diminution in eight years.
16 The 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.
1 These 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.
2 And these serve four days, which are not calculated in the calculation of the year.
3 Respecting 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.
4 And the harmony of the world becomes complete every three hundred and sixty-fourth state of it. For the signs,
5 The seasons,
6 The years,
7 And the days, Uriel showed me; the angel whom Yahuah of glory appointed over all the luminaries.
8 Of heaven in heaven, and in the world; that they might rule in the face of the sky, and appearing over the earth, become
9 Conductors 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.
10 Thus 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.
11 From 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.
12 Twelve 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.
13 Many windows also are open on the right and on the left.
14 One 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.
15 I 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.
1 And at the extremities of the earth I beheld twelve gates open for all the winds, from which they proceed and blow over the earth.
2 Three 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.
3 From 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.
4 The 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.
5 From 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.
6 After these proceed the south winds through three principal gates; through their first gate, which inclines eastwards, proceeds a hot wind.
7 But from the middle gate proceed grateful odour, dew, rain, health, and life.
8 From the third gate, which is westwards, proceed dew, rain, blight, and destruction.
9 After 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).
10 After 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;
11 And from the last gate, which is southwards, proceed drought, destruction, scorching, and perdition.
12 The account of the twelve gates of the four quarters of heaven is ended.
13 All 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.
1 The first wind is called the eastern, because it is the first.
2 The second is called the south, because the Most High there descends, and frequently there descends he who is blessed for ever.
3 The western wind has the name of diminution, because there all the luminaries of heaven are diminished, and descend.
4 The 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.
5 Seven 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.
6 Seven 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.
7 Two 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.
8 Seven great islands I saw in the sea and on the earth. Seven in the great sea.
1 The names of the sun are these: one Aryares, the other Tomas.
2 The moon has four names. The first is Asonya; the second, Ebla; the third, Benase; and the fourth, Erae.
3 These are the two great luminaries, whose orbs are as the orbs of heaven; and the dimensions of both are equal.
4 In 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…from the moon. Or, "seven parts of light which are added to it more than to the moon" (Knibb, p. 182).
5 When the moon rises, it appears in heaven; and the half of a seventh portion of light is all which is in it.
6 In fourteen days the whole of its light is completed.
7 By 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.
8 The moon has the half of a seventh portion.
9 During 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.
10 On stated months the moon has twenty-nine days.
11 It also has a period of twenty-eight days.
12 Uriel likewise showed me another regulation, when light is poured into the moon, how it is poured into it from the sun.
13 All 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.
14 And 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.
15 It becomes precisely completed on the day that the sun descends into the west, while the moon ascends at night from the east.
16 The moon then shines all the night, until the sun rises before it; when the moon disappears in turn before the sun.
17 Where light comes to the moon, there again it decreases, until all its light is extinguished, and the days of the moon pass away.
18 Then its orb remains solitary without light.
19 During 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.
20 And 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.
21 In 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.
1 And now, my son Mathusala, I have shown you everything; and the account of every ordinance of the stars of heaven is finished.
2 He 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.
3 From 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.
4 Its 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).
5 When 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.
1 In those days Uriel answered and said to me, Behold, I have showed you all things, O Enoch;
2 And 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.
3 In the days of sinners the years shall be shortened.
4 Their 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.
5 In 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.
6 The 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.
7 Those shall not appear in their season, who commanded them, and all the classes of the stars shall be shut up against sinners.
8 The thoughts of those who dwell on the earth shall transgress within them; and they shall be perverted in all their ways.
9 They shall transgress, and think themselves (85) Elohims; while evil shall be multiplied among them.
(85) Themselves. Or, "them" i.e., the chiefs among the stars (vs. 6) (Knibb, p. 186).
10 And punishment shall come upon them, so that all of them shall be destroyed.
1 He 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…dropped down. Or, "the book of the tablets of heaven" (Knibb, p. 186).
2 Then I looked on all which was written, and understood all, reading the book and everything written in it, all the works of man;
3 And of all the children of flesh upon earth, during the generations of the world.
4 Immediately after I blessed Yahuah, the King of glory, who has thus for ever formed the whole workmanship of the world.
5 And I glorified Yahuah, on account of his long-suffering and blessing towards the children of the world.
6 At 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.
7 Then those three qodesh ones caused me to approach, and placed me on the earth, before the door of my house.
8 And they said unto me, Explain everything to Mathusala your son; and inform all your children, that no flesh shall be justified before Yahuah; for he is their Creator.
9 During 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,
10 And the perverted with the perverted shall be drowned.
11 Those 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.
12 In those days they finished conversing with me.
13 And I returned to my fellow men, blessing Yahuah of worlds.
1 Now, 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.
2 Preserve, my son Mathusala, the books written by your father; that you may reveal them to future generations.
3 Wisdom 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.
4 Blessed 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.
5 With 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.
6 Respecting 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:
7 So that the year is completed in three hundred and sixty-four days.
8 Truly 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 Yahuah 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.
9 This is the ordinance of the stars, which set in their places, in their seasons, in their periods, in their days, and in their months.
10 These 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.
11 Four 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.
12 These 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,
13 Meliyal, and Narel.
14 And the names of those who conduct them are Adnarel, Jyasusal, and Jyelumeal.
15 These 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.
16 In 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).
17 All the days of his influence, during which he rules, are ninety-one days.
18 And 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.
19 These 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).
20 All the days of his light are ninety-one days.
21 These 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.
22 The 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.
23 These 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.
24 And the name of the additional leader of a thousand is Asphael.
25 The days of his influence have been completed.
1 And 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.
2 The first was when I was learning a book; and the other before I was married to your mother. I saw a potent vision;
3 And on account of these things besought Yahuah.
4 I 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).
5 And 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).
6 Hills 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.
7 Being 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).
8 I related to him the whole vision which I had seen. He said to me, Confirmed is that which you have seen, my son;
9 And 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.
10 Now, my son, rise up; and beseech Yahuah 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.
11 Then I arose, prayed, and entreated; and wrote down my prayer for the generations of the world, explaining everything to my son Mathusala.
12 When 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 Elohim has known from the beginning, I blessed Yahuah 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). |
