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G1802 · Greek · New Testament
Ἐνώχ
Enōch
Proper noun (person)
Enoch — walked with God and was taken

Definition

Enōch (Ἐνώχ) is the Greek form of the Hebrew Chanok, the name of two notable biblical figures, most theologically significant being Enoch son of Jared — the seventh generation from Adam (Genesis 5:18-24) — who is described as walking with God and being taken by God without dying. His name may mean "dedicated, consecrated,\” or "initiated."

Usage & Theological Significance

Enoch is one of the most mysteriously significant figures in Scripture. Genesis 5:24 — "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him\” — stands out starkly in a genealogy otherwise dominated by the monotonous refrain "and he died." Enoch alone interrupts the death-list with life transferred to God's presence without death.

The NT develops this theology in three places: Hebrews 11:5 (Enoch's translation as an act of faith — he pleased God); Jude 14-15 (Enoch's prophecy against ungodliness); and the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:37. Enoch becomes a type of those who will be "caught up" (1 Thessalonians 4:17) — the harpazo of the living at Christ's return, departing without death into the presence of God. He is the prototype of the parousia transformation.

Key Bible Verses

Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: 'He could not be found, because God had taken him away.'
Jude 14-15 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone.'
1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

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