1 Enoch / Chapter 28

1 Enoch 28

3 verses • Ge'ez (Ethiopic)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Enoch travels eastward to a wilderness filled with trees and sees the fragrant plants that grow there, especially aromatic spices.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The geographical tour eastward from Jerusalem toward paradise echoes the Eden narrative (Genesis 2:8, 'a garden in Eden, in the east').

Translation Friction

None significant.

Connections

Genesis 2:8 (garden in the east); Song of Solomon 4:14 (fragrant plants); Ezekiel 47:12 (trees on the riverbanks).

1 Enoch 28:1

Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions

From there I went eastward, into the midst of a desert mountain range, and I saw a wilderness — solitary but full of trees and plants.

REF And thence I went towards the east, into the midst of the mountain range of the desert, and I saw a wilderness and it was solitary, full of trees and plants.

1 Enoch 28:2

Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions

Water gushed forth from above.

REF And water gushed forth from above.

1 Enoch 28:3

Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions

It rushed like a copious stream toward the north-west, causing clouds and dew to rise on every side.

REF Rushing like a copious watercourse [which flowed] towards the north-west it caused clouds and dew to ascend on every side.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The self-watering wilderness anticipates the eschatological transformation of deserts (Isaiah 35:1-2, 'the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad').