1 Enoch / Chapter 92

1 Enoch 92

5 verses • Ge'ez (Ethiopic)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

This brief chapter serves as the superscription and introduction to the Epistle of Enoch. Enoch addresses 'those who dwell on earth in the last generations' and announces that righteousness and truth will prevail. Darkness, sin, and violence will pass away; the righteous will walk in eternal light.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

Verse 1 identifies this section as 'the writing of Enoch the scribe' — one of the earliest uses of Enoch's title as a heavenly scribe, a role later developed extensively in 2 Enoch and 3 Enoch. The chapter frames everything that follows (chapters 92-105) as a written document, not oral prophecy — a deliberate literary move lending archival permanence to the message.

Translation Friction

The placement of this chapter is debated. Some scholars consider it the original introduction to the entire Epistle section (chapters 91-105), displaced when the Apocalypse of Weeks was inserted into chapter 91. The Aramaic fragments suggest it may have preceded 91:1.

Connections

Revelation 1:3 — blessing on those who read the prophetic writing. 2 Timothy 3:1 — 'in the last days there will come times of difficulty.' Isaiah 60:1-3 — 'arise, shine, for your light has come.' Malachi 4:2 — 'the sun of righteousness shall rise.'

1 Enoch 92:1

Ge'ez: maṣḥafa zat-ṣaḥafa Hēnōk — 'the writing which Enoch wrote'

The book written by Enoch — Enoch wrote this complete teaching of wisdom, praised by all people and a judge of all the earth — for all my children who will dwell on the earth, and for the future generations who will practice uprightness and peace.

REF The book written by Enoch — Enoch indeed wrote this complete doctrine of wisdom, which is praised of all men and a judge of all the earth — for all my children who shall dwell on the earth. And for the future generations who shall observe uprightness and peace.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The superscription names Enoch as author and scribe. Calling the wisdom a 'judge of all the earth' personifies the teaching itself as an arbiter — the written word carries judicial authority. Compare Hebrews 4:12 — 'the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.'
1 Enoch 92:2

Ge'ez: 'iye-yerkab lebbakemu — 'let not your spirit be troubled'

Do not let your spirit be troubled because of the times, for the Holy and Great One has appointed days for all things.

REF Let not your spirit be troubled on account of the times; for the Holy and Great One has appointed days for all things.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The reassurance that God has 'appointed days for all things' is the foundation of apocalyptic determinism — history runs on a divine timetable. Compare Acts 1:7 — 'it is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.'
1 Enoch 92:3

Ge'ez: wa-ṣādiq yetnesā' — 'and the righteous one shall arise'

The righteous one will arise from sleep, will rise and walk in the paths of righteousness. All his way and conduct will be in eternal goodness and grace.

REF And the righteous one shall arise from sleep, shall arise and walk in the paths of righteousness, and all his path and conversation shall be in eternal goodness and grace.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'Arise from sleep' carries both the sense of spiritual awakening and resurrection. The phrase echoes Ephesians 5:14 — 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.'
1 Enoch 92:4

Ge'ez: yemēṭi meḥret — 'he will be gracious'

He will be gracious to the righteous and give him eternal uprightness. He will give him power so that he is endowed with goodness and righteousness, and he will walk in eternal light.

REF He will be gracious to the righteous and give him eternal uprightness, and He will give him power so that he shall be endowed with goodness and righteousness. And he shall walk in eternal light.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Walking 'in eternal light' contrasts with the darkness that characterizes the wicked throughout the Epistle. Compare 1 John 1:5-7 — 'God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.'
1 Enoch 92:5

Ge'ez: wa-ḫaṭi'at teteggabar — 'and sin shall perish'

Sin will perish in darkness forever and will never be seen again from that day onward.

REF And sin shall perish in darkness for ever, and shall no more be seen from that day for evermore.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The final disappearance of sin into permanent darkness creates an absolute separation — light for the righteous, darkness for sin itself. Compare Revelation 20:10 — cast 'into the lake of fire... forever and ever.'
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