The Book of Enoch is not included in the Bible primarily because it was excluded from the formal canons of both the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) and the Septuagint, largely due to its perceived inconsistencies with the teachings of the Torah.
Historical Exclusion from Canonical Texts
The journey of texts into the Bible's canon involved significant historical and theological decisions by Jewish and later Christian communities. For the Book of Enoch, this process resulted in its widespread exclusion:
- Absence from the Tanakh: The Book of Enoch was not accepted into the formal canon of the Tanakh, which forms the basis of the Old Testament for Christians. Jewish scholars and religious authorities determined which books were considered divinely inspired and authoritative for their scriptures.
- Exclusion from the Septuagint: Following its absence from the Hebrew canon, the Book of Enoch was also excluded from the Septuagint. The Septuagint is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, which was widely used by early Christians and significantly influenced the formation of the Christian Old Testament.
- Not Part of the Deuterocanon: As a direct consequence of its exclusion from both the Tanakh and the Septuagint, the Book of Enoch did not become part of the writings known today as the Deuterocanon (often referred to as the Apocrypha by Protestants), which are accepted as canonical by some Christian denominations but not others.
Primary Reason for Rejection: Doctrinal Inconsistency
The main reason for its Jewish rejection, which subsequently influenced its absence from wider Christian canons, was its perceived incompatibility with core Jewish teachings.
- Inconsistency with the Torah: Jewish religious scholars and leaders found the Book of Enoch to be inconsistent with the teachings and principles of the Torah, the foundational texts of Judaism. This doctrinal divergence was a critical factor in its non-inclusion.
The table below summarizes the Book of Enoch's canonical status in key foundational biblical collections:
| Canonical Collection | Status Regarding Book of Enoch | Key Factor for Exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Tanakh (Jewish Bible) | Excluded from formal canon | Deemed inconsistent with the teachings of the Torah |
| Septuagint | Excluded | Not part of the accepted Jewish canon (Tanakh) |
| Deuterocanon | Excluded (as a result) | Followed the exclusions from the Tanakh and Septuagint |
This consistent exclusion across these foundational collections ultimately solidified its position outside the mainstream biblical canon. While revered by some communities, notably the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, it is generally not included in the Bibles used by the vast majority of Jewish and Christian traditions worldwide.
