Book of
Enoch III
The Book of the Heavenly Luminaries
[Chapter 72]
1 The book of the courses of the luminaries of the heaven, the
relations of each, according to their classes, their dominion and
their seasons, according to their names and places of origin, and
according to their months, which Uriel, the holy angel, who was
with me, who is their guide, showed me; and he showed me all their
laws exactly as they are, and how it is with regard to all the years
of the world 2 and unto eternity, till the new creation is accomplished
which dureth till eternity. And this is the first law of the luminaries:
the luminary the Sun has its rising in the eastern portals of the
heaven, 3 and its setting in the western portals of the heaven.
And I saw six portals in which the sun rises, and six portals in
which the sun sets and the moon rises and sets in these portals,
and the leaders of the stars and those whom they lead: six in the
east and six in the west, and all following each other 4 in accurately
corresponding order: also many windows to the right and left of
these portals. And first there goes forth the great luminary, named
the Sun, and his circumference is like the 5 circumference of the
heaven, and he is quite filled with illuminating and heating fire.
The chariot on which he ascends, the wind drives, and the sun goes
down from the heaven and returns through the north in order to reach
the east, and is so guided that he comes to the appropriate (lit.
' that ') portal and 6 shines in the face of the heaven. In this
way he rises in the first month in the great portal, which 7 is
the fourth [those six portals in the cast]. And in that fourth portal
from which the sun rises in the first month are twelve window-openings,
from which proceed a flame when they are opened in 8 their season.
When the sun rises in the heaven, he comes forth through that fourth
portal thirty, 9 mornings in succession, and sets accurately in
the fourth portal in the west of the heaven. And during this period
the day becomes daily longer and the night nightly shorter to the
thirtieth 10 morning. On that day the day is longer than the night
by a ninth part, and the day amounts exactly to ten parts and the
night to eight parts. And the sun rises from that fourth portal,
and sets in the fourth and returns to the fifth portal of the east
thirty mornings, and rises from it and sets in the fifth 12 portal.
And then the day becomes longer by two parts and amounts to eleven
parts, and the night 13 becomes shorter and amounts to seven parts.
And it returns to the east and enters into the sixth 14 portal,
and rises and sets in the sixth portal one-and-thirty mornings on
account of its sign. On that day the day becomes longer than the
night, and the day becomes double the night, and the day 15 becomes
twelve parts, and the night is shortened and becomes six parts.
And the sun mounts up to make the day shorter and the night longer,
and the sun returns to the east and enters into the 16 sixth portal,
and rises from it and sets thirty mornings. And when thirty mornings
are accomplished, 17 the day decreases by exactly one part, and
becomes eleven parts, and the night seven. And the sun goes forth
from that sixth portal in the west, and goes to the east and rises
in the fifth portal for 18 thirty mornings, and sets in the west
again in the fifth western portal. On that day the day decreases
by two parts, and amounts to ten parts and the night to eight parts.
And the sun goes forth from that fifth portal and sets in the fifth
portal of the west, and rises in the fourth portal for one- 20 and-thirty
mornings on account of its sign, and sets in the west. On that day
the day is equalized with the night, [and becomes of equal length],
and the night amounts to nine parts and the day to 21 nine parts.
And the sun rises from that portal and sets in the west, and returns
to the east and rises 22 thirty mornings in the third portal and
sets in the west in the third portal. And on that day the night
becomes longer than the day, and night becomes longer than night,
and day shorter than day till the thirtieth morning, and the night
amounts exactly to ten parts and the day to eight 23 parts. And
the sun rises from that third portal and sets in the third portal
in the west and returns to the east, and for thirty mornings rises
24 in the second portal in the east, and in like manner sets in
the second portal in the west of the heaven. And on that day the
night amounts to eleven 25 parts and the day to seven parts. And
the sun rises on that day from that second portal and sets in the
west in the second portal, and returns to the east into the first
portal for one-and-thirty 26 mornings, and sets in the first portal
in the west of the heaven. And on that day the night becomes longer
and amounts to the double of the day: and the night amounts exactly
to twelve parts and 27 the day to six. And the sun has (therewith)
traversed the divisions of his orbit and turns again on those divisions
of his orbit, and enters that portal thirty mornings and sets also
in the west 28 opposite to it. And on that night has the night decreased
in length by a ninth part, and the night 29 has become eleven parts
and the day seven parts. And the sun has returned and entered into
the second portal in the east, and returns on those his divisions
of his orbit for thirty mornings, rising 30 and setting. And on
that day the night decreases in length, and the night amounts to
ten parts 31 and the day to eight. And on that day the sun rises
from that portal, and sets in the west, and returns to the east,
and rises in the third portal for one-and-thirty mornings, and sets
in the west of the heaven. 32 On that day the night decreases and
amounts to nine parts, and the day to nine parts, and the night
33 is equal to the day and the year is exactly as to its days three
hundred and sixty-four. And the length of the day and of the night,
and the shortness of the day and of the night arise-through the
course 34 of the sun these distinctions are made (lit. ' they are
separated '). So it comes that its course becomes 35 daily longer,
and its course nightly shorter. And this is the law and the course
of the sun, and his return as often as he returns sixty times and
rises, i.e. the great luminary which is named the sun, for ever
and ever. And that which (thus) rises is the great luminary, and
is so named according to 37 its appearance, according as the Lord
commanded. As he rises, so he sets and decreases not, and rests
not, but runs day and night, and his light is sevenfold brighter
than that of the moon; but as regards size they are both equal.
[Chapter 73]
1 And after this law I saw another law dealing with the smaller
luminary, which is named the Moon. And her circumference is like
the circumference of the heaven, and her chariot in which she rides
is driven by the wind, and light is given to her in (definite) measure.
And her rising and setting change every month: and her days are
like the days of the sun, and when her light is uniform (i.e. full)
it amounts to the seventh part of the light of the sun. And thus
she rises. And her first phase in the east comes forth on the thirtieth
morning: and on that day she becomes visible, and constitutes for
you the first phase of the moon on the thirtieth day together with
the sun in the portal where the sun rises. And the one half of her
goes forth by a seventh part, and her whole circumference is empty,
without light, with the exception of one-seventh part of it, (and)
the 6 fourteenth part of her light. And when she receives one-seventh
part of the half of her light, her light 7 amounts to one-seventh
part and the half thereof. And she sets with the sun, and when the
sun rises the moon rises with him and receives the half of one part
of light, and in that night in the beginning of her morning [in
the commencement of the lunar day] the moon sets with the sun, and
8 is invisible that night with the fourteen parts and the half of
one of them. And she rises on that day with exactly a seventh part,
and comes forth and recedes from the rising of the sun, and in her
remaining days she becomes bright in the (remaining) thirteen parts.
[Chapter 74]
1 And I saw another course, a law for her, (and) how according
to that law she performs her monthly 2 revolution. And all these
Uriel, the holy angel who is the leader of them all, showed to me,
and their positions, and I wrote down their positions as he showed
them to me, and I wrote down their months 3 as they were, and the
appearance of their lights till fifteen days were accomplished.
In single seventh parts she accomplishes all her light in the east,
and in single seventh parts accomplishes all her 4 darkness in the
west. And in certain months she alters her settings, and in certain
months she pursues 5 her own peculiar course. In two months the
moon sets with the sun: in those two middle portals the 6 third
and the fourth. She goes forth for seven days, and turns about and
returns again through the portal where the sun rises, and accomplishes
all her light: and she recedes from the sun, and in eight 7 days
enters the sixth portal from which the sun goes forth. And when
the sun goes forth from the fourth portal she goes forth seven days,
until she goes forth from the fifth and turns back again in seven
days into the fourth portal and accomplishes all her light: and
she recedes and enters into the 8 first portal in eight days. And
she returns again in seven days into the fourth portal from which
the 9, 10 sun goes forth. Thus I saw their position -how the moons
rose and the sun set in those days. And if five years are added
together the sun has an overplus of thirty days, and all the days
which accrue 11 to it for one of those five years, when they are
full, amount to 364 days. And the overplus of the sun and of the
stars amounts to six days: in 5 years 6 days every year come to
30 days: and the 12 moon falls behind the sun and stars to the number
of 30 days. And the sun and the stars bring in all the years exactly,
so that they do not advance or delay their position by a single
day unto eternity; but complete the years with perfect justice in
364 days. In 3 years there are 1,092 days, and in 5 years 1,820
days, so that in 8 years there are 2,912 days. For the moon alone
the days amount in 3 years to 1,062 days, and in 5 years she falls
50 days behind: [i.e. to the sum (of 1,770) there is 5 to be added
(1,000 and) 62 days.] And in 5 years there are 1,770 days, so that
for the moon the days 6 in 8 years amount to 21,832 days. [For in
8 years she falls behind to the amount of 80 days], all the 17 days
she falls behind in 8 years are 80. And the year is accurately completed
in conformity with their world-stations and the stations of the
sun, which rise from the portals through which it (the sun) rises
and sets 30 days.
[Chapter 75]
1 And the leaders of the heads of the thousands, who are placed
over the whole creation and over all the stars, have also to do
with the four intercalary days, being inseparable from their office,
according to the reckoning of the year, and these render service
on the four days which are not 2 reckoned in the reckoning of the
year. And owing to them men go wrong therein, for those luminaries
truly render service on the world-stations, one in the first portal,
one in the third portal of the heaven, one in the fourth portal,
and one in the sixth portal, and the exactness of the year is 3
accomplished through its separate three hundred and sixty-four stations.
For the signs and the times and the years and the days the angel
Uriel showed to me, whom the Lord of glory hath set for ever over
all the luminaries of the heaven, in the heaven and in the world,
that they should rule on the face of the heaven and be seen on the
earth, and be leaders for the day and the night, i.e. the sun, moon,
and stars, and all the ministering creatures which make their revolution
in all the chariots 4 of the heaven. In like manner twelve doors
Uriel showed me, open in the circumference of the sun's chariot
in the heaven, through which the rays of the sun break forth: and
from them is warmth 5 diffused over the earth, when they are opened
at their appointed seasons. [And for the winds and 6 the spirit
of the dew when they are opened, standing open in the heavens at
the ends.] As for the twelve portals in the heaven, at the ends
of the earth, out of which go forth the sun, moon, and stars, 7
and all the works of heaven in the east and in the west, There are
many windows open to the left and right of them, and one window
at its (appointed) season produces warmth, corresponding (as these
do) to those doors from which the stars come forth according as
He has commanded them, 8 and wherein they set corresponding to their
number. And I saw chariots in the heaven, running 9 in the world,
above those portals in which revolve the stars that never set. And
one is larger than all the rest, and it is that that makes its course
through the entire world.
[Chapter 76]
1 And at the ends of the earth I saw twelve portals open to all
the quarters (of the heaven), from 2 which the winds go forth and
blow over the earth. Three of them are open on the face (i.e. the
east) of the heavens, and three in the west, and three on the right
(i.e. the south) of the heaven, and 3 three on the left (i.e. the
north). And the three first are those of the east, and three are
of the 4 north, and three [after those on the left] of the south,
and three of the west. Through four of these come winds of blessing
and prosperity, and from those eight come hurtful winds: when they
are sent, they bring destruction on all the earth and on the water
upon it, and on all who dwell thereon, and on everything which is
in the water and on the land. 5 And the first wind from those portals,
called the east wind, comes forth through the first portal which
is in the east, inclining towards the south: from it come forth
desolation, drought, heat, 6 and destruction. And through the second
portal in the middle comes what is fitting, and from it there come
rain and fruitfulness and prosperity and dew; and through the third
portal which lies toward the north come cold and drought. 7 And
after these come forth the south winds through three portals: through
the first portal of 8 them inclining to the east comes forth a hot
wind. And through the middle portal next to it there 9 come forth
fragrant smells, and dew and rain, and prosperity and health. And
through the third portal lying to the west come forth dew and rain,
locusts and desolation. 10 And after these the north winds: from
the seventh portal in the east come dew and rain, locusts and desolation.
And from the middle portal come in a direct direction health and
rain and dew and prosperity; and through the third portal in the
west come cloud and hoar-frost, and snow and rain, and dew and locusts.
12 And after these [four] are the west winds: through the first
portal adjoining the north come forth dew and hoar-frost, and cold
and snow and frost. And from the middle portal come forth dew and
rain, and prosperity and blessing; and through the last portal which
adjoins the south come forth drought and desolation, and burning
and destruction. And the twelve portals of the four quarters of
the heaven are therewith completed, and all their laws and all their
plagues and all their benefactions have I shown to thee, my son
Methuselah.
[Chapter 77]
1 And the first quarter is called the east, because it is the first:
and the second, the south, because the Most High will descend there,
yea, there in quite a special sense will He who is blessed for ever
2 descend. And the west quarter is named the diminished, because
there all the luminaries of the 3 heaven wane and go down. And the
fourth quarter, named the north, is divided into three parts: the
first of them is for the dwelling of men: and the second contains
seas of water, and the abysses and forests and rivers, and darkness
and clouds; and the third part contains the garden of righteousness.
4 I saw seven high mountains, higher than all the mountains which
are on the earth: and thence 5 comes forth hoar-frost, and days,
seasons, and years pass away. I saw seven rivers on the earth larger
than all the rivers: one of them coming from the west pours its
waters into the Great Sea. 6 And these two come from the north to
the sea and pour their waters into the Erythraean Sea in the 7 east.
And the remaining, four come forth on the side of the north to their
own sea, two of them to the Erythraean Sea, and two into the Great
Sea and discharge themselves there [and some say: 8 into the desert].
Seven great islands I saw in the sea and in the mainland: two in
the mainland and five in the Great Sea.
[Chapter 78]
1, 2 And the names of the sun are the following: the first Orjares,
and the second Tomas. And the moon has four names: the first name
is Asonja, the second Ebla, the third Benase, and the fourth 3 Erae.
These are the two great luminaries: their circumference is like
the circumference of the 4 heaven, and the size of the circumference
of both is alike. In the circumference of the sun there are seven
portions of light which are added to it more than to the moon, and
in definite measures it is s transferred till the seventh portion
of the sun is exhausted. And they set and enter the portals of the
west, and make their revolution by the north, and come forth through
the eastern portals 6 on the face of the heaven. And when the moon
rises one-fourteenth part appears in the heaven: 7 [the light becomes
full in her]: on the fourteenth day she accomplishes her light.
And fifteen parts of light are transferred to her till the fifteenth
day (when) her light is accomplished, according to the sign of the
year, and she becomes fifteen parts, and the moon grows by (the
addition of) fourteenth 8 parts. And in her waning (the moon) decreases
on the first day to fourteen parts of her light, on the second to
thirteen parts of light, on the third to twelve, on the fourth to
eleven, on the fifth to ten, on the sixth to nine, on the seventh
to eight, on the eighth to seven, on the ninth to six, on the tenth
to five, on the eleventh to four, on the twelfth to three, on the
thirteenth to two, on the 9 fourteenth to the half of a seventh,
and all her remaining light disappears wholly on the fifteenth.
And 10 in certain months the month has twenty-nine days and once
twenty-eight. And Uriel showed me another law: when light is transferred
to the moon, and on which side it is transferred to her by the sun.
During all the period during which the moon is growing in her light,
she is transferring it to herself when opposite to the sun during
fourteen days [her light is accomplished in the heaven, 12 and when
she is illumined throughout, her light is accomplished full in the
heaven. And on the first 13 day she is called the new moon, for
on that day the light rises upon her. She becomes full moon exactly
on the day when the sun sets in the west, and from the east she
rises at night, and the moon shines the whole night through till
the sun rises over against her and the moon is seen over against
the sun. On the side whence the light of the moon comes forth, there
again she wanes till all the light vanishes and all the days of
the month are at an end, and her circumference is empty, void of
5 light. And three months she makes of thirty days, and at her time
she makes three months of twenty- nine days each, in which she accomplishes
her waning in the first period of time, and in the first 6 portal
for one hundred and seventy-seven days. And in the time of her going
out she appears for three months (of) thirty days each, and for
three months she appears (of) twenty-nine each. At night she appears
like a man for twenty days each time, and by day she appears like
the heaven, and there is nothing else in her save her light.
[Chapter 79]
1 And now, my son, I have shown thee everything, and the law of
all the stars of the heaven is 2 completed. And he showed me all
the laws of these for every day, and for every season of bearing
rule, and for every year, and for its going forth, and for the order
prescribed to it every month 3 and every week: And the waning of
the moon which takes place in the sixth portal: for in this 4 sixth
portal her light is accomplished, and after that there is the beginning
of the waning: (And the waning) which takes place in the first portal
in its season, till one hundred and seventy-seven 5 days are accomplished:
reckoned according to weeks, twenty-five (weeks) and two days. She
falls behind the sun and the order of the stars exactly five days
in the course of one period, and when 6 this place which thou seest
has been traversed. Such is the picture and sketch of every luminary
which Uriel the archangel, who is their leader, showed unto me.
[Chapter 80]
1 And in those days the angel Uriel answered and said to me: '
Behold, I have shown thee everything, Enoch, and I have revealed
everything to thee that thou shouldst see this sun and this moon,
and the leaders of the stars of the heaven and all those who turn
them, their tasks and times and departures.
2 And in the days of the sinners the years shall be shortened,
And their seed shall be tardy on their lands and fields,
And all things on the earth shall alter,
And shall not appear in their time:
And the rain shall be kept back
And the heaven shall withhold (it).
3 And in those times the fruits of the earth shall be backward,
And shall not grow in their time,
And the fruits of the trees shall be withheld in their time.
4 And the moon shall alter her order,
And not appear at her time.
5 [And in those days the sun shall be seen and he shall journey
in the evening on the extremity of the great chariot in the west]
And shall shine more brightly than accords with the order of light.
6 And many chiefs of the stars shall transgress the order (prescribed).
And these shall alter their orbits and tasks,
And not appear at the seasons prescribed to them.
7 And the whole order of the stars shall be concealed from the sinners,
And the thoughts of those on the earth shall err concerning them,
[And they shall be altered from all their ways],
Yea, they shall err and take them to be gods.
8 And evil shall be multiplied upon them,
And punishment shall come upon them So as to destroy all.'
[Chapter 81]
1 And he said unto me:
' Observe, Enoch, these heavenly tablets,
And read what is written thereon,
And mark every individual fact.'
2 And I observed the heavenly tablets, and read everything which
was written (thereon) and understood everything, and read the book
of all the deeds of mankind, and of all the children of flesh 3
that shall be upon the earth to the remotest generations. And forthwith
I blessed the great Lord the King of glory for ever, in that He
has made all the works of the world,
And I extolled the Lord because of His patience,
And blessed Him because of the children of men.
4 And after that I said:
' Blessed is the man who dies in righteousness and goodness,
Concerning whom there is no book of unrighteousness written,
And against whom no day of judgement shall be found.'
5 And those seven holy ones brought me and placed me on the earth
before the door of my house, and said to me: ' Declare everything
to thy son Methuselah, and show to all thy children that no 6 flesh
is righteous in the sight of the Lord, for He is their Creator.
One year we will leave thee with thy son, till thou givest thy (last)
commands, that thou mayest teach thy children and record (it) for
them, and testify to all thy children; and in the second year they
shall take thee from their midst.
7 Let thy heart be strong,
For the good shall announce righteousness to the good;
The righteous with the righteous shall rejoice,
And shall offer congratulation to one another.
8 But the sinners shall die with the sinners,
And the apostate go down with the apostate.
9 And those who practice righteousness shall die on account of
the deeds of men,
And be taken away on account of the doings of the godless.'
10 And in those days they ceased to speak to me, and I came to
my people, blessing the Lord of the world.
[Chapter 82]
1 And now, my son Methuselah, all these things I am recounting
to thee and writing down for thee! and I have revealed to thee everything,
and given thee books concerning all these: so preserve, my son Methuselah,
the books from thy father's hand, and (see) that thou deliver them
to the generations of the world.
2 I have given Wisdom to thee and to thy children,
[And thy children that shall be to thee],
That they may give it to their children for generations,
This wisdom (namely) that passeth their thought.
3 And those who understand it shall not sleep,
But shall listen with the ear that they may learn this wisdom,
And it shall please those that eat thereof better than good food.
4 Blessed are all the righteous, blessed are all those who walk
In the way of righteousness and sin not as the sinners, in the reckoning
of all their days in which the sun traverses the heaven, entering
into and departing from the portals for thirty days with the heads
of thousands of the order of the stars, together with the four which
are intercalated which divide the four portions of the year, which
5 lead them and enter with them four days. Owing to them men shall
be at fault and not reckon them in the whole reckoning of the year:
yea, men shall be at fault, and not recognize them 6 accurately.
For they belong to the reckoning of the year and are truly recorded
(thereon) for ever, one in the first portal and one in the third,
and one in the fourth and one in the sixth, and the year is completed
in three hundred and sixty-four days. 7 And the account thereof
is accurate and the recorded reckoning thereof exact; for the luminaries,
and months and festivals, and years and days, has Uriel shown and
revealed to me, to whom the 8 Lord of the whole creation of the
world hath subjected the host of heaven. And he has power over night
and day in the heaven to cause the light to give light to men -sun,
moon, and stars, 9 and all the powers of the heaven which revolve
in their circular chariots. And these are the orders of the stars,
which set in their places, and in their seasons and festivals and
months. 10 And these are the names of those who lead them, who watch
that they enter at their times, in their orders, in their seasons,
in their months, in their periods of dominion, and in their positions.
Their four leaders who divide the four parts of the year enter first;
and after them the twelve leaders of the orders who divide the months;
and for the three hundred and sixty (days) there are heads over
thousands who divide the days; and for the four intercalary days
there are the leaders which sunder 12 the four parts of the year.
And these heads over thousands are intercalated between 13 leader
and leader, each behind a station, but their leaders make the division.
And these are the names of the leaders who divide the four parts
of the year which are ordained: Milki'el, Hel'emmelek, and Mel'ejal,
14 and Narel. And the names of those who lead them: Adnar'el, and
Ijasusa'el, and 'Elome'el- these three follow the leaders of the
orders, and there is one that follows the three leaders of the orders
which follow those leaders of stations that divide the four parts
of the year. In the beginning of the year Melkejal rises first and
rules, who is named Tam'aini and sun, and 16 all the days of his
dominion whilst he bears rule are ninety-one days. And these are
the signs of the days which are to be seen on earth in the days
of his dominion: sweat, and heat, and calms; and all the trees bear
fruit, and leaves are produced on all the trees, and the harvest
of wheat, and the rose-flowers, and all the flowers which come forth
in the field, but the trees of the winter season become withered.
And these are the names of the leaders which are under them: Berka'el,
Zelebs'el, and another who is added a head of a thousand, called
Hilujaseph: and the days of the dominion of this (leader) are at
an end. 18 The next leader after him is Hel'emmelek, whom one names
the shining sun, and all the days 19 of his light are ninety-one
days. And these are the signs of (his) days on the earth: glowing
heat and dryness, and the trees ripen their fruits and produce all
their fruits ripe and ready, and the sheep pair and become pregnant,
and all the fruits of the earth are gathered in, and everything
that is 20 in the fields, and the winepress: these things take place
in the days of his dominion. These are the names, and the orders,
and the leaders of those heads of thousands: Gida'ljal, Ke'el, and
He'el, and the name of the head of a thousand which is added to
them, Asfa'el: and the days of his dominion are at an end.
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