The relationship between the moon's cycle and the solar calendar is explored in detail. The moon falls behind the sun over the course of a year, completing only 354 days to the sun's 364. The ten-day annual deficit is carefully tracked, establishing the solar calendar's superiority.
This chapter contains the most explicit argument for the solar over the lunar calendar in all of 1 Enoch. The deficit calculation — the moon falls short by exactly ten days per year — was a polemical weapon against the Jerusalem temple's lunar-based calendar. For the author, the moon's inability to keep pace with the sun proves it was never intended to govern sacred time.
The actual lunar year is approximately 354.37 days, making the deficit against a true solar year about 10.88 days. Against the Enochic 364-day year, the deficit is exactly 10 days — suspiciously clean. The author may be rounding to support the theological argument.
Jubilees 6:36-38 — the definitive condemnation of lunar calendar observance. 4Q320-321 — Qumran synchronistic calendars attempting to harmonize solar and lunar cycles. Genesis 1:14 — luminaries appointed 'for signs and for seasons.' 1 Enoch 72:33 — the 364-day total.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
I saw another course and law for the moon: according to that law it performs its monthly revolution.
REF And another course and law I saw for her, in that according to that law she performs her monthly revolution.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
Uriel, the holy angel who leads them all, showed me all these things and their positions. I wrote down their positions as he showed them to me. I recorded their months as they were, and the appearance of their light until fifteen days were complete.
REF And all these Uriel, the holy angel who is the leader of them all, showed to me, and their positions, and I wrote down their positions as he showed them to me, and I wrote down their months as they were, and the appearance of their lights till fifteen days were accomplished.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
In single seventh parts the moon accomplishes all its light in the east, and in single seventh parts accomplishes all its darkness in the west.
REF In single seventh parts she accomplishes all her light in the east, and in single seventh parts accomplishes all her darkness in the west.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
In certain months it alters its settings, and in certain months it follows its own distinct course.
REF And in certain months she alters her settings, and in certain months she pursues her own peculiar course.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
In two months the moon sets with the sun — in those two middle gates, the third and the fourth.
REF In two months the moon sets with the sun: in those two middle portals the third and the fourth.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
It goes forth for seven days, turns about, and returns through the gate where the sun rises, completing all its light. Then it recedes from the sun, and in eight days enters the sixth gate from which the sun goes forth.
REF She goes forth for seven days, and turns about and returns again through the portal where the sun rises, and accomplishes all her light: and she recedes from the sun, and in eight days enters the sixth portal from which the sun goes forth.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
When the sun goes forth from the fourth gate, the moon goes forth for seven days until it emerges from the fifth gate. It turns back in seven days to the fourth gate and completes all its light, then recedes and enters the first gate in eight days.
REF And when the sun goes forth from the fourth portal she goes forth seven days, until she goes forth from the fifth and turns back again in seven days into the fourth portal and accomplishes all her light: and she recedes and enters into the first portal in eight days.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
It returns again in seven days to the fourth gate from which the sun goes forth.
REF And she returns again in seven days into the fourth portal from which the sun goes forth.
Ge'ez text per Charles/Knibb editions
This is what I saw of their positions — how the moon rose and the sun set in those days. If five years are added together, the sun has an excess of thirty days. All the days that accrue to it for one of those five years, when complete, amount to three hundred and sixty-four days.
REF Thus I saw their position — how the moons rose and the sun set in those days. And if five years are added together the sun has an excess of thirty days, and all the days which accrue to it for one of those five years, when they are full, amount to three hundred and sixty-four days.
The accumulated solar-lunar discrepancy over five years — the calendrical proof that sun and moon operate on different laws