《《The book of Enoch》（以诺书）》狱蛇

41、Annotation for section XVI

　　CHAP. 83.
　　Tideman, following the example of Seiffert, has declared chapters 83-91 a productionof a new Essenic writer, but without good reason. There is no interruption of the connection here, for the fact that he does not deal minutely with the contents of the tablets of heaven until 92, after having mentioned them in 81, has its parallels throughout the book, where certain subjects are mentioned, and then treated in extenso in later chapters. In fact, these dream visions-form a necessary part of the book. The author had announced the coming judgment, but had given no answer to the all-important when. To determine this is the object of 83-91. And as he always associates the two judgments, the first of the deluge and the final, it is but natural that he should mention both here. That the revelation is given to Enoch through a dream is no argument whatever for attributing these chapters to a different author, for, then, 13: 8 would fall under the same condemnation. In fact, it was necessary to state that these revelations were received through dreams, and not through immediate association with the angels and a trip through the upper regions, in which manner the other revelations were usually received, not only on account of the nature of the contents, but mainly because they were received in his younger days, before the privilege of movingin super-terrestrial worlds was accorded him. And as the contents fully harmonize with the rest of the book, it is difficult to see why we should here claim a different author. 1. states expressly that the following revelations had been received in visions, and not in the manner usually observed in the preceding chapter.

　　—2. Learning to write, easily understood from 12: 3. Before I took, i.e. before he was sixty-five years old; cf. Gen v. 21. Mother; according to 85: 3, her name was Edna; according to the Book of the Jubilees, chap. 4, p. 18, Edna or Adna. The second vision was awful, because more important for the contemporaries of the true author.

　　—3. The heavens were lowered shows that the first vision refers to the deluge.

　　—5. Fell, to designate the sudden and spontaneous character of the speech.

　　—7. The experienced Mahalaleel immediately explains this dream as portending the coming destruction of the earth on account of its sins. This destruction is, however,yet a secret.

　　—8. Lord of glory, cf. note on 22: 14. Being one of the few that are still faithful he could expect God to hear his petition.

　　—9. From heaven, i.e. from God.

　　—11. Ewald, on the basis of Joseph. Bel. Jud. ii. 5, 8, and 9, finds here a trace of Essenism. But why an ordinary Jew could not utter this prayer without being an Essene is certainly a mystery. Enoch had just heard, vs. 9, that this destruction should come from heaven, and thus it is natural that he should address his prayer for deliverance to heaven. This God, who is his greatness could lead forth the mighty sun, could grant his petition. Interpreting this prayer to the God of judgment, 22: 14; 90: 40, in any other manner robs it of all sense in this connection.

　　CHAP. 84.
　　Holy and Great, cf. note on 1: 3. Tongue of flesh, cf. note on 14: 2.

　　—2. Cf. 9: 4 sqq.; Isa. lxvi. 1.

　　—3. God’s throne is also wisdom’s throne; the latter is here personified; cf. on 42, 1.

　　—4. The author refers to his own statements, chap. 6 sqq. Were these words from a new author he would undoubtedly have said more concerning the fall of the angels. Flesh of man, cf. Job xii. 10.

　　—5. Empty, denudes; cf. 9: 2.

　　—6. Plant, cf. 10: 16.