This article is about Jared's son. You may be looking for Cain's son or the city with the same name.
Enoch was the son of Jared[1] and was a descendant of Seth. Significantly, Enoch was one of only two people (the other being Elijah) to be taken to Heaven without seeing death.[2]
Etymology[]
The second man to bear this name, Enoch (Heb. חֲנוֹךְ chanok: "initiated, disciplined"), the circumstances at his naming were vastly different. By the time of his birth, the city named after his distant cousin was about 500 years old. In all likelihood his father Jared had traveled to and from the city of Enoch many times. It is just as likely that the naming reflected the city than it being the anointing of a prophet.
Biography[]
Birth and family[]
Enoch was born when his father Jared was one hundred and sixty-two years old. When Enoch was sixty-five he had Methuselah.[3] As with the other patriarchs, it is recorded that he fathered other sons and daughters.[4] Though he lived upon the earth for only 365 years, he was a contemporary with every patriarch from Adam to Noah's father Lamech. Adam died when Enoch was around 300 years old.
Ministry and Translation[]
Inspired by God, Enoch prophesied that one day judgment would come sinners that did not accept God.[5] Though it is not revealed when his ministry commenced, it is conceivable that the death of Adam, and loss of his direct knowledge of God, may have been the point when the preacher began to warn the world of the danger of ungodliness. At age 365,[6] Enoch was taken from the earth to Heaven by God, rather than experiencing death.
Legacy[]
Enoch's metaphorical "walk" with God in faith became a very literal walk when God took him from his life among men without him having to die. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews commended Enoch for pleasing God[7]. Enoch had one of the earliest recorded revelations from God about Judgement Day and thus this shows the closeness of his relationship with God. Enoch is quoted by Jude[8], confirming the inspiration of a portion of the apocryphal book bearing his name. This quote adds to the powerful message of the short Epistle of Jude.