Enoch

Book of Enoch Enoch was seventh generation of Adam of the lineage of Seth.  He was Noah's Great-Grandfather.  Do not confuse this Enoch with the son of Cain, who was also named Enoch.

Three apocryphal books are attributed to him:

[1]  First book of Enoch
Written in Ge'ez (Ethiopian) - dated between 3BC-1AD

[2]  Second book of Enoch
aka Book of the Secrets of Enoch, written in Old bulgarian, Russian, Serbian, and other slavic languages.

[3]  Third book of Enoch
Hebrew rabbinic text dated to 5AD

Enoch in Book of Giants
This is a pseudepigraphical Jewish work from 3BC and resembles the [1] Book of Enoch.  At least six, and as many as eleven were found with the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Septuagint
The third century translators who produced the Greek Septuagint rendered the phrase "God took him" with the Greek verb metatithemi meaning from one place to another.

Sirach 44:16  Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, being an example of repentance to all generations. 

New Testament

[1]  Luk 3:37  Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 

Luke gives us the genealogy of Jesus which looks like this:

[1]  Adam [2] Seth [3] Enos [4] Cainan [5] Maleleel [6] Jared [7] Enoch [8] Methuselah [9] Lamech [10] Noah... continuing on down to Jesus.

[2]  Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was transferred [G3346 - metatithemi], so as not to be acquainted with death, and was not found, because God transfers him. For before his transference he is attested to have pleased God well.

[3]  Jud 1:14-15  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 

The Book of Enoch

The book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish religious writing.  There are no original writings in existence.  All copies were written by oral tradition passed from one generation to another.

The book is broken into five major sections:
[1]  Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 1-36)
[2]  Book of the Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37-71)
[3]  Astronomical Book (1 Enoch 72-82)
[4]  Book of Dream Visions (1 Enoch 83-90)
[5]  Epistle of Enoch (1 Enoch 91-108)

The older sections (mainly in the Book of the Watchers) are said to date from about 300BC.  The later parts (book of parables) were probably dated to 1BC.

The books are regarded as interesting for their historical or theological interest but are not considered canonical by any religion other than the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

It is disregarded as canonical because of the detailed descriptions of "fallen angels" mating with human women which contradicts the rest of Scripture.

Throughout Scripture - angels were never created in a state in which they would "fall" and revolt against God.  Neither Satan, nor his messengers were created in a glorious state and then decided to revolt against God.  Secondly, no angel has reproductive organs as told to us distinctly by Jesus (for example, Mat 22:30).

The Hebrews rejected the canonization early on based on the above as illustrated by the comments of Trypho the Jew when debating Justin Martyr on this subject:

"The utterances of God are holy, but your expositions are mere contrivances, as is plain from what has been explained by you; nay, even blasphemies, for you assert that angels sinned and revolted from God." (Dialogue 79)

The Ethiopian Church claims that it was first written in Ge'ez.  Only Aramaic, Latin, and Greek fragments were found with the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Most scholars believe it was written in Aramaic or Hebrew or a combination of both (like Daniel).

Obviously, some of the New Testament writers were familiar with the writings of Enoch.  A short section of 1 Enoch 1:9 is cited in Jude (see above).

1 Enoch 1:9  And behold!  He cometh with then thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all, and to destroy all the unGodly, and to convict all flesh of all the works of their unGodliness which they have unGodly committed, and of all the hard things which unGodly sinners have spoken against Him.

There is discussion as to whether Jude was quoting directly from Enoch.  He specifically mentions Enoch as an historical prophet however, there is still some question as to whether Jude was quoting directly from the source of Enoch, or that of the Jewish midrash (Deu 33:2-3).

There is also an allegation that Peter also made reference to Enoch's material (1 Pet 3:19-20; 2 Pet 2:4-5).

The Epistle of Barnabas also quotes Enoch as Scripture:

Barnabas 4:3  The last offence is at hand, concerning which the scripture speaketh, as Enoch saith. For to this end the Master hath cut the seasons and the days short, that His beloved might hasten and come to His inheritance.

Enochian Judaism

Some scholars believe that some of the writers of the Qumran scrolls were descendant from an "Enochic" form of Judaism.

These carried views which contradict Scripture what we now know as Scripture such as the origin of evil is caused by those "fallen angels" who united with human women and they are ultimately responsible for the spread of evil on earth. 

They also believed that wealthy people were sinners while the oppressed were just.

Conclusion

While parts of the writings of Enoch may agree with Scripture we must remember that no original writings have ever been found.  Oral tradition as been passed down to men and those men were the writers of which they attributed to Enoch.

Men have been known to "add to" and "take away" from many writings in order to pass off, or validate, their own beliefs.  

Enoch was obviously a just man and found favor with God.  However, we have no idea what Enoch wrote down - if anything.  There is no record of him actually writing anything down.  

Scripture does not mention the "writings of Enoch"... they only mention Enoch.  For example, there's no Scripture that says "have you not read in Enoch", etc.  The New Testament writers only refer to Enoch himself.  

Which is also the case of Jude... Jude does not specifically say that he's referencing a "book" or a "writing" of Enoch.  Not to mention that at one time, Jude's writing was also considered as non-canonical.  

If God had wanted to preserve a writing of Enoch - we would have it.

What we do have partially agrees with Scripture and some of it blatantly disagrees with what we consider Scripture now.

Especially - on the topic of the Nephilim... no angel has ever united with a human woman to produce a giant offspring hybrid.

The Nephilim story is grossly exaggerated from ancient fairy tales and is blasphemy against God.

Nephilim

Nephilim

There are those in Christendom that claim that fallen angels were united with human women and their offspring produced giants which were responsible for evil on the earth.  These fallen angels are claimed to be represented as the Nephilim of Genesis 6:4 and also as found in the book of Enoch.

Gen 6:4  There were giants [H5303 - nphlim, distinguished] in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

The translators of the Hebrew into Greek introduced gigantes into the story of Genesis 6:4 in the third century before Christ.  In a single verse they translate two different words as giants when neither of them have anything to do with "giants".  The KJV has figured this out in one case and the Revised version changes it from giant to Nephilim.

There are also those that claim Goliath was proof of these Nephilim offspring and that he was evidence of this mutation, or hybrid form of life.

"If these Nephilim produced giants (such as Goliath) by mating with human women then how can Genesis 7:21-23 be true?"

Gen 7:21-23  And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.  And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

Goliath lived post flood, so read Gen 7:21-23 and think about it.

It's impossible for Goliath to have been an offspring of these so-called "Nephilim".

This is another case of ancient fairy tales making their way into the teachings of Christianity because of a lack of diligence.

First of all, there's no such thing as a "fallen angel" in the sense of one who was created to serve God and then suddenly had a change of heart and decided to revolt against God.

Satan was created as God's adversary and so were his minions.  Neither of which had a change of heart and turned against God.

Secondly, angels do not have reproductive organs and are "not given to marriage" from the mouth of Jesus Himself.

Third, the Hebrew word "malak" (angel or messenger) is found nowhere near this passage.

Genesis 5 and 6 deal with the generations of Adam.  One section deals with the male line, the next deals with the female offspring and their progeny.

Gen 6:1-8 deals with the daughters of Adam.  Previously (in Genesis chapter 5) much was said concerning Cain, Abel, and Seth and now we move on to a few words concerning the daughters of Adam.
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Hebrew Manuscripts

If you look at the derivations given in your dictionaries/lexicons for this Hebrew word, you'll almost always see it transliterated as "nephilim".

In fact, most of the old Hebrew manuscripts leave out the extra "i" in Gen 6:4.  Only about a dozen of 400+ manuscripts have the extra "i".  In the remaining it is spelled "nphlim".

"nphlim" is the plural participle of either "nphl" (translated as "fall") or a passive form of "phle" translated as "distinguish".

Anyone who is separated, wonderfully made, severed, set apart, or whom God differentiated is necessarily DISTINGUISHED.

Gen 6:4 has nothing to do with one's size, or stature, as in "giants".

The "nphlim" were distinguished from others and as stated later on, they were "mortals with the name".

Gen 6:4  Now the distinguished come to be in the earth in those days, and, moreover, afterward, coming are those who are sons of the elohim to the daughters of the human, and they bear for them. They are the masters, who are from the eon, mortals with the name.

Sons of Anak

There was a saying in the days of Moses which was known among the tribes of Israel:

Deu 9:2  ... Who can stand before the sons of Anak?

These "sons of Anak" dwelt in Hebron which was first known by the name of Anak's father, Arba.  When the land was alotted, Hebron was given to Caleb.  Thirty-eight years before, Caleb and Joshua alone (of the twelve spies) had faith to enter the land.

Caleb was sent to drive out the sons of Anak, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, for they were distinguished above all men for their valor in battle.  Because of this, they and their forefathers were called "nphlim" - distinguished.

Because these men were mighty in battle it was inferred that they were giants.  But, this is in the context - NOT in the Word.  

Those in Gen 6:4 may not have been distinguished in the same way, or for the same reason, as the sons of Anak.

The point is this - nphlim cannot mean "fallen" because the sons of Anak at that time were by no means "fallen".

Num 13:33  There we saw the distinguished [H5303 - nphlim, distinguished] (the sons of Anak are part of the distinguished ones). And we became, in our own eyes, like grasshoppers; so we became in their eyes.

The spies saw the sons of Anak and were afraid of them because they were mighty men of war... the spies didn't see them as "fallen" at all!  All of Israel was afraid of their distinguished ability in war.

The inference concerning the sons of Anak as being giants is how the translators justified the use of "giants" in Gen 6:4.  The specific Hebrew word "nphlim" is used only twice in all of Scripture, and it is found in these two verses.

The Anakims may be considered giants, but only in a figurative sense... they were not literal giants... they were distinguished.
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Genesis 6:1-4

Genesis 5:1 through 6:9 deals with Adam's genealogy.

Genesis 6:1-4 deals with Adam's daughters and below is a rendering:

Gen 6:1-4  And it is coming to pass that Adam starts to increase on the face of the ground and daughters were born to them.  And sons of God are seeing the daughters of Adam that they are good.  And they are taking wives of all whom they choose.

And Jehovah is saying, "My Spirit shall not abide in Adam for the age.  He is in their error, and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years."

And the distinguished were in the earth in those days.  And, moreover, afterward those who are the sons of God are coming to the daughters of Adam and they bore children for them.  They are the mighty ones who are from the age, mortals with a name.

Adam was the head of the race and had a social and physical position above all others as he was created in the image of God.  As a result, his daughters also held this distinction and were sought after.

In those days, sin had not permeated into the race as it has today.  Men in those days lived long lives and made something of themselves... fame which has persisted as myths and legend to this day.  These great men chose Adam's daughters for themselves as wives.

They were mighty men which were of old, men of renown... distinguished... "mortals with a name".  By virtue of their superiority they chose wives from among Adam's esteemed daughters.

Adam's daughters were "mortal" as were these "nphlim" husbands.  The husbands were not "fallen angels"... this a fairy tale built upon by this poor translation in the KJV and has been bought into and embellished by the imagination and foolishness of man.

There are four groups of created species... man, beast, bird, and fish.  None of which unite to create a new species.  How ridiculous to think that God would allow an exception to the rule and have angels unite with females.

Not to mention, angels do not have reproductive organs and neither will we when we are caught up into our glorified bodies.

Luk 20:34-36  And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 

All of mankind is birthed from the "mother of all the living", Eve:

Gen 3:20  And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Adam is the begetter:

Deu 32:8  When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. 

Act 17:26  And hath made of ONE BLOOD all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth...

There never was, nor will there ever be, a hybrid race of an angel/man combination... Spirit beings (angels - celestial) cannot pro-create with mankind (terrestrial) and this teaching from some within Christendom needs to be buried... it's ridiculous.

The Hebrew word "nphlim" is not the name of a race, let alone some superhuman angelic race of literal giants, but is a descriptive term applicable to anyone whose name or frame sets him above another... distinguished.