Dead Sea Scrolls, Book of Enoch and Hidden SECRETS of the Ancient World
Over 2,000 years ago, in the caves near Qumran by the Dead Sea, ancient manuscripts were discovered that changed how we understand the Bible and early Jewish mysticism.
Among them was a mysterious text known as the Book of Enoch—a work so visionary, so controversial, that it was never included in the official Hebrew Bible.
In this episode of Things Visible and Invisible, Ken explores what the Book of Enoch actually says, how it was structured, and why it continues to fascinate theologians, historians, and seekers of hidden knowledge.
The Structure of the Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch is not a single text but a collection of writings compiled over several centuries.
The oldest section, the Book of the Watchers, likely dates back to the 4th century BCE.
It consists of five main parts:
The Book of the Watchers – the story of the fallen angels and the birth of the giants (Nephilim)
The Book of Parables – visions of divine judgment and the coming Messiah
The Astronomical Book – cosmic descriptions of the sun, moon, and stars
The Dream Visions – symbolic dreams of Israel’s history
The Epistle of Enoch – moral and prophetic teachings
The Fallen Angels and the Birth of the Nephilim
At the heart of the Book of Enoch lies one of the most dramatic stories in ancient literature.
A group of angels—called the Watchers—descend to earth, drawn by human beauty.
They take wives among humankind, and their offspring become the Nephilim, a race of giants.
These giants begin to corrupt the earth, leading to chaos and destruction.
According to Enoch, this is the true reason for the Great Flood:
God sent the flood not only because of human sin, but to cleanse the world of the Nephilim.
The spirits of these fallen beings, the text says, continue to roam the earth—manifesting as unseen, destructive forces.
Enoch’s Journey Through Heaven
In the Bible, Enoch is mentioned only briefly:
“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.” (Genesis 5:24)
The Book of Enoch expands this mystery into a vivid narrative.
Enoch is taken up into heaven, where he witnesses angelic hierarchies, cosmic secrets, and divine judgment.
He becomes a heavenly mediator between the fallen angels and God—a kind of cosmic lawyer pleading their case.
Ken describes this section as “a mix between a heavenly courtroom drama and early science fiction.”
Prophetic Visions and the Coming of the Son of Man
Later sections of the Book of Enoch contain apocalyptic visions of future events:
the rise and fall of empires, the Maccabean revolt, and the purification of Jerusalem.
Most strikingly, Enoch introduces the title “Son of Man”—a messianic figure who brings justice and eternal peace.
This concept directly influenced the New Testament, where Jesus frequently refers to himself as the “Son of Man.”
Thus, Enoch serves as a crucial bridge between Jewish apocalyptic thought and Christian theology.
Why the Book of Enoch Was Excluded from the Bible
Despite its influence, the Book of Enoch was never accepted into the Jewish or most Christian canons.
At the Council of Jamnia (around 90 CE), Jewish scholars decided which writings were to be considered sacred.
While the Book of Daniel was included, Enoch was rejected—seen as too mystical, too visionary, too dangerous.
Rabbinic tradition even used a phrase to distinguish canonical from non-canonical texts:
“Books that defile the hands” (holy) versus those that do not.
Enoch belonged to the latter category.
Yet among mystical groups like the Essenes, who likely authored the Dead Sea Scrolls, Enoch remained deeply revered.
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Rediscovery of Enoch
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered between 1947 and 1956, contained multiple copies and fragments of the Book of Enoch.
This confirmed that the text was widely read and respected centuries before the time of Christ.
For the Essenes, Enoch was not heresy—it was revelation.
It shaped their ideas about angels, demons, purity, and the end of days.
In many ways, it was their cosmic manual for understanding good and evil.
Conclusion: Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World
The Book of Enoch is more than an apocryphal curiosity—it’s a profound exploration of divine justice, cosmic order, and human destiny.
It challenges readers to see beyond the visible world and to question what it truly means to walk with God.
Though excluded from the Bible, its influence endures—in theology, literature, and even modern discussions of the supernatural.
What Do You Think?
Should the Book of Enoch have been part of the Bible?
Or was it too mystical, too dangerous, too human?
👇 Share your thoughts in the comments or watch the full discussion here:
🎥 Things Visible and Invisible – The Book of Enoch Explained
📕 Guest: Dr. Kenneth L. Hanson
Dr. Kenneth is a Judaic Studies scholar, author, and storyteller whose journey from Chicago to Jerusalem’s Mt. Zion shaped a lifelong mission: to uncover the hidden truths of Jewish history, lost texts, and ancient spirituality.
🌍 Website: https://jewsgodhistory.com/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Prof.KennethHanson
