Michael explains the tree of life: no mortal may touch it until the great judgment, when it will be given to the righteous and holy. Its fruit will be food for the chosen, and it will be transplanted to the holy place, beside the temple of the Lord. The righteous will rejoice with gladness and live long lives free from sorrow.
The eschatological promise — the tree of life transplanted to God's temple for the righteous — directly connects to Revelation 2:7 ('to the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God') and 22:2 (the tree of life yielding fruit each month, with leaves for the healing of the nations).
The temporal reference to lives of great length (rather than immortality) may reflect an older, pre-resurrection eschatology.
Revelation 2:7, 22:2, 14 (tree of life in paradise); Genesis 3:22-24 (access to tree of life blocked); Isaiah 65:20-22 (long life in the new creation); Ezekiel 47:12 (trees with healing leaves).
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
He said to me: 'Enoch, why do you ask me about the fragrance of the tree, and why do you want to learn the truth?'
REF And he said unto me: 'Enoch, why dost thou ask me regarding the fragrance of the tree, and why dost thou wish to learn the truth?'
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
I answered him: 'I want to know about everything, but especially about this tree.'
REF Then I answered him saying: 'I wish to know about everything, but especially about this tree.'
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
He answered: 'This high mountain that you have seen, whose summit is like the throne of God — it is his throne, where the Holy Great One, the Lord of Glory, the Eternal King, will sit when he comes down to visit the earth with goodness.
REF And he answered saying: 'This high mountain which thou hast seen, whose summit is like the throne of God, is His throne, where the Holy Great One, the Lord of Glory, the Eternal King, will sit, when He shall come down to visit the earth with goodness.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
As for this fragrant tree — no mortal is permitted to touch it until the great judgment, when he will execute justice upon all and bring everything to its final completion forever.
REF And as for this fragrant tree no mortal is permitted to touch it till the great judgement, when He shall take vengeance on all and bring (everything) to its consummation for ever.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
It will then be given to the righteous and holy. Its fruit will be food for the chosen. It will be transplanted to the holy place, to the temple of the Lord, the Eternal King.
REF It shall then be given to the righteous and holy. Its fruit shall be for food to the elect: it shall be transplanted to the holy place, to the temple of the Lord, the Eternal King.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
Then they will rejoice with joy and be glad, and they will enter the holy place. Its fragrance will fill their bones, and they will live a long life on the earth — as long as your ancestors lived. In their days no sorrow or plague or torment or calamity will touch them.'
REF Then shall they rejoice with joy and be glad, and into the holy place shall they enter; and its fragrance shall be in their bones, and they shall live a long life on earth, such as thy fathers lived: and in their days shall no sorrow or plague or torment or calamity touch them.'
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
Then I blessed the God of Glory, the Eternal King, who has prepared such things for the righteous, and has created them and promised to give them.
REF Then blessed I the God of Glory, the Eternal King, who hath prepared such things for the righteous, and hath created them and promised to give to them.