The Epistle of Enoch
Woes to the Wicked, Blessings for the Righteous & the Final Age
Overview
The final section of 1 Enoch, including the "Apocalypse of Weeks" (chapters 93 and 91:12-17) — a division of all history into 10 "weeks" of years, with the final weeks describing the eschatological judgment and new creation. The Epistle also contains the famous "Woes to the Rich" (chapters 94-100) that are strikingly similar to James 5:1-6 and Luke 6:24-26. The section concludes with a description of the final judgment, the resurrection, and the new creation.
Theological Significance
The Apocalypse of Weeks is one of the most important pre-NT periodizations of history. It divides all time into 10 weeks, with the current age in the 7th week and the eschatological events beginning in the 8th. This framework influenced Daniel's 70 Weeks and the NT's use of "this age" vs. "the age to come." The Woes to the Rich in chapters 94-100 are so close to James 5 and Luke 6 that many scholars believe James and Jesus were directly drawing from this tradition.
Canon Status
Found at Qumran (4Q212). Canonical in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Not in Protestant or Catholic canons.
Date Composed
2nd century BC
Language: Aramaic/Hebrew original; preserved in Ge'ez (Ethiopic)