1 Enoch / Chapter 31

1 Enoch 31

3 verses • Ge'ez (Ethiopic)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Enoch sees more fragrant mountains and trees, including galbanum and other spice-bearing plants, as the landscape becomes increasingly paradisal.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The botanical catalogue, while seemingly repetitive, builds the literary and sensory atmosphere of approach to the garden of God.

Translation Friction

None significant.

Connections

Exodus 30:34 (galbanum in sacred incense); Ezekiel 28:13 (precious stones and garden of God).

1 Enoch 31:1

Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions

I saw other mountains, and among them were groves of trees from which flowed nectar called sarara and galbanum.

REF And I saw other mountains, and amongst them were groves of trees, and there flowed forth from them nectar, which is named sarara and galbanum.

1 Enoch 31:2

Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions

Beyond those mountains I saw another mountain at the eastern end of the earth, covered with aloe trees. All the trees were full of stacte, resembling almond trees.

REF And beyond these mountains I saw another mountain to the east of the ends of the earth, whereon were aloe-trees, and all the trees were full of stacte, being like almond-trees.

1 Enoch 31:3

Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions

When burned, it smelled sweeter than any other fragrance.

REF When one burnt it, it smelt sweeter than any fragrant odour.