Second Enoch

Second Enoch, also called 2 Enoch or the Book of the Secrets of Enoch, is an Enochic work chiefly transmitted in Slavonic. Its narrative follows Enoch through heavenly realms, divine instruction, and a return to his children. It is a separate work from First Enoch.^[1]

Ascent and creation#

The surviving narrative describes guides taking Enoch through successive heavens. He encounters celestial beings and receives explanations of the world. The creation account then unfolds through divine speech, giving Enoch knowledge of realities beyond ordinary human sight.^[1]

The text also contains passages about rebellious angels. Their place within the heavenly journey resembles some themes in First Enoch while belonging to a different narrative arrangement. Names, numbers of heavens, and individual episodes vary across versions and translations, making the witness used important to a detailed comparison.

Instruction for earthly life#

Enoch's return is not merely the conclusion of a celestial tour. He addresses his children on conduct, generosity, worship, and the treatment of living beings. The revelatory knowledge is thus joined to an ethical teaching for people who remain on earth.

R. H. Charles and W. R. Morfill's historical edition provides an early English translation from Slavonic material. The later Forgotten Books of Eden version made the work available to another readership.^[1][2] Neither edition should be assumed to settle present scholarly disputes about composition and dating. The labels First, Second, and Third Enoch identify related traditions, not three consecutive volumes written by one author.

See also#

• Book of Enoch
• Third Enoch
• Watchers

This encyclopedia covers traditions beyond the High Satanic Church. Church doctrine is identified as such when it appears.