Hidden Books of Antiquity: Understanding the Ancient Texts
SUPERNATURAL SERIESThis workbook uses the Truth Carriers Learning Method (6 Rs) for deep understanding and long-term retention.
Key Principle: Better to learn 5 things deeply than 50 things shallowly.
Review this guide thoroughly before beginning the lessons. Refer back as needed.
| Category | Examples | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Deuterocanonical (Catholic/Orthodox Canon) |
Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, 1-2 Maccabees, additions to Esther/Daniel | Accepted by Catholic/Orthodox; rejected by Protestants |
| Pseudepigrapha (Attributed to Ancients) |
1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, Book of Jubilees, Assumption of Moses, Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs | Generally not canonical; valuable for historical study |
| Lost/Referenced Books (Mentioned in Scripture) |
Book of Jasher, Book of the Wars of Yahuah, Chronicles of the Kings of Israel | Referenced in Bible but texts lost or disputed |
| Ethiopian Canon Additions | 1 Enoch, Jubilees, 1-3 Meqabyan | Canonical only in Ethiopian Orthodox Church |
| Section | Chapters | Content | Date (Scholarly Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book of the Watchers | 1-36 | Fallen angels, Nephilim, judgment visions | 300-200 BCE |
| Parables (Similitudes) | 37-71 | Messianic prophecies, "Son of Man" title | 100 BCE - 100 CE |
| Astronomical Book | 72-82 | Solar calendar, heavenly luminaries | 300-200 BCE (oldest) |
| Book of Dream Visions | 83-90 | Animal Apocalypse, history of Israel | 165-161 BCE |
| Epistle of Enoch | 91-108 | Apocalypse of Weeks, woes, exhortations | 170-100 BCE |
Enoch's Life - Seventh generation from Adam; walked with Elohim and was taken (Genesis 5:21-24).
Oldest Sections of 1 Enoch Written - Book of the Watchers and Astronomical Book composed in Aramaic.
Later Enoch Sections - Dream Visions, Epistle of Enoch composed during Maccabean period.
Book of Jubilees Written - "Little Genesis" composed, retelling Genesis-Exodus with additional details.
Dead Sea Community - Qumran community highly valued Enoch and Jubilees; multiple copies found in caves.
Jude Written - Directly quotes 1 Enoch 1:9, showing the book was known and respected.
Early Church Fathers - Many cite Enoch favorably (Tertullian, Irenaeus); others begin questioning its authority.
Enoch Excluded from Western Canon - Jerome, Augustine reject Enoch; book fades from Western Christianity.
Ethiopian Preservation - Ethiopian Church retains Enoch and Jubilees as canonical; translates into Ge'ez.
Enoch "Rediscovered" in West - James Bruce brings Ethiopian manuscripts of Enoch to Europe.
Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered - Aramaic fragments of Enoch found, confirming antiquity and Jewish origins.
עִירִין (Irim/Irim) - "Watchers"
From root עור (ur) meaning "to be awake, watchful." Used in Daniel 4:13, 17, 23 for angelic beings. In Enoch, these are the angels who "watched" humanity and eventually sinned.
סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר (Sefer HaYashar) - "Book of the Upright/Jasher"
Referenced in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18. The word "yashar" means "upright, straight, righteous." The modern "Book of Jasher" available today is of uncertain provenance.
Τάρταρος (Tartaros) - "Tartarus"
Used ONLY in 2 Peter 2:4, nowhere else in Scripture. In Greek mythology, the deepest abyss below Hades. Peter uses this term for where fallen angels are imprisoned - remarkably parallel to 1 Enoch's account.
| Objection | Response |
|---|---|
| "Enoch is demonic deception" | Jude, writing under inspiration of Ruach HaKodesh, directly quotes 1 Enoch as prophecy. The apostle Peter echoes its concepts. If it were demonic, would Scripture cite it approvingly? |
| "It contradicts the Bible" | Some sections may contain later additions or embellishments, but core theology (judgment of fallen angels, coming of Messiah, final judgment) aligns with biblical revelation. |
| "It claims giants were 300 cubits tall" | Likely hyperbole or textual corruption. Scripture gives more modest heights (Og's bed: 13.5 ft; Goliath: ~9 ft). We prioritize biblical testimony over Enoch's details. |
| "The Book of Jasher we have is a forgery" | The modern "Book of Jasher" (first published 1625 or 1840) may not be the original referenced in Scripture. Treat with caution while recognizing Scripture confirms such a book once existed. |
| "These books promote false doctrines" | Read critically, comparing all claims against canonical Scripture. Use as historical reference, not doctrinal authority. "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). |
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Study Guide + Lesson 1-2 |
| Day 3-4 | Lessons 3-4 + Review Lesson 1-2 questions |
| Day 5-6 | Lessons 5-6 + Review Lessons 3-4 |
| Day 7-8 | Lessons 7-8 + Cumulative review |
| Day 10 | Complete workbook review, check answers |
| Day 14 | Final review and discussion |
What makes a book "Scripture"? How did the early believers decide which writings belonged in the Bible and which did not? These questions become crucial when we encounter ancient books like Enoch, Jasher, and Jubilees - texts that predate Yahusha, were read by His contemporaries, and are even quoted in our New Testament.
The word "apocrypha" comes from the Greek apokryphos, meaning "hidden" or "concealed." These are ancient Jewish and early Christian writings that exist outside the standard Protestant biblical canon. However, different Christian traditions have different opinions about these books:
| Tradition | Old Testament Books | Apocrypha Status |
|---|---|---|
| Protestant | 39 books | Rejected as non-canonical |
| Roman Catholic | 46 books | 7 deuterocanonical books included |
| Eastern Orthodox | 49-51 books | Additional books beyond Catholic canon |
| Ethiopian Orthodox | 81 books total | Enoch, Jubilees fully canonical |
Even if we don't consider apocryphal books equal to canonical Scripture, there are compelling reasons to study them:
Did you know the Bible itself references books that are not in our canon?
| Book Referenced | Scripture Citation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Book of Jasher | Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18 | Sun standing still; David's lament |
| Book of the Wars of Yahuah | Numbers 21:14 | Israel's wilderness battles |
| Chronicles of the Kings | 1 Kings 14:19, etc. | Referenced ~18 times in Kings |
| Prophecy of Enoch | Jude 1:14-15 | Judgment prophecy directly quoted |
| Acts of Solomon | 1 Kings 11:41 | Solomon's full history |
How did we get our 66-book Bible? The process was gradual and involved multiple considerations:
The Old Testament canon was largely settled by Yahusha's time (He referenced "the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms" - Luke 24:44). The New Testament canon was officially recognized at the Councils of Hippo (393 CE) and Carthage (397 CE), though most books were accepted much earlier.
1. The Greek word "apocrypha" means:
2. Which church tradition includes 1 Enoch and Jubilees as canonical Scripture?
3. The Book of Jasher is mentioned in:
4. Which New Testament book directly quotes the Book of Enoch?
If false, correction:
If false, correction:
If false, correction:
1. Why do you think the Ethiopian Orthodox Church preserved books like Enoch while Western Christianity forgot them? What might this suggest about our understanding of biblical history?
2. If Jude (writing under inspiration of Ruach HaKodesh) directly quoted the Book of Enoch as prophecy, what does this tell us about how the early believers viewed this book?
A fellow believer tells you: "The Book of Enoch is demonic and Christians should never read it." How would you respond based on what you've learned? What Scriptures would you reference?
Close this workbook. Write everything you remember about the categories of ancient texts (canon, apocrypha, pseudepigrapha) and the Church Fathers' approach.
Explain to someone the difference between "canonical," "apocryphal," and "pseudepigraphal" texts.
Person I taught: Date:
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, Yahuah cometh with ten thousands of His set-apart ones, to execute judgment upon all."
Enoch stands out as one of the most mysterious figures in Scripture. In a genealogy of men who "lived and died," Enoch alone "was not, for Elohim took him." He lived 365 years - a number matching the days of the solar year - and was translated without experiencing death. Only one other person in Scripture shares this distinction: the prophet Elijah.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | 1 Enoch, Ethiopian Enoch |
| Original Language | Aramaic (and possibly Hebrew for some sections) |
| Complete Text Survives In | Ge'ez (Ethiopic) only |
| Partial Texts Found | Aramaic (Dead Sea Scrolls), Greek, Latin |
| Date Written | 300-100 BCE (scholarly estimate) |
| Length | 108 chapters in 5 main sections |
| Canonical Status | Ethiopian Orthodox: Yes. Other traditions: No |
1 Enoch is actually a collection of five separate compositions bound together:
Book of Enoch composed in Aramaic by Jewish scribes
Widely read by Jews; multiple copies at Qumran; quoted by NT authors
Cited favorably by church fathers (Tertullian, Irenaeus, Origen)
Augustine, Jerome reject it; book disappears from Western churches
Preserved only in Ethiopia; unknown to European Christians
Scottish explorer James Bruce brings Ethiopian manuscripts to Europe
First English translation published by Richard Laurence
Dead Sea Scrolls confirm ancient Aramaic origin; 11 fragmentary copies found
| Church Father | Date | View of Enoch |
|---|---|---|
| Tertullian | ~200 CE | Considered it Scripture: "The Book of Enoch... has been filled by the Spirit" |
| Irenaeus | ~180 CE | Quoted Enoch in his writings against heresies |
| Clement of Alexandria | ~200 CE | Cited Enoch as prophetic authority |
| Origen | ~230 CE | Quoted but expressed some doubts about canonicity |
| Augustine | ~400 CE | Rejected canonicity due to age concerns |
| Jerome | ~400 CE | Excluded from Vulgate translation; deemed apocryphal |
1. Enoch was the _____ generation from Adam:
2. The complete text of 1 Enoch survives only in which language?
3. The Dead Sea Scrolls discoveries confirmed that 1 Enoch was originally written in:
4. Which church father called the Book of Enoch "filled by the Spirit"?
5. The section of 1 Enoch NOT found among the Dead Sea Scrolls is:
If false, correction:
If false, correction:
Read Genesis 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5. In your own words, summarize what these passages tell us about Enoch's character and his relationship with Elohim:
The Book of Enoch was widely accepted for the first 400 years of Christianity, then rejected and forgotten in the West for over 1,000 years. What does this tell us about how "canon" has been determined throughout history? Should we reconsider some excluded books?
Close this workbook. Write the five major sections of the Book of Enoch and one key teaching from each.
Explain to someone what the Book of Enoch contains and why it was important to early believers.
Person I taught: Date:
"And Enoch walked with Elohim: and he was not; for Elohim took him."
The "Book of the Watchers" (1 Enoch chapters 1-36) provides the most detailed ancient account of what happened in Genesis 6:1-4. While Scripture gives us four cryptic verses, Enoch fills in the narrative - naming the angels, describing their sins, and explaining the consequences that still affect our world today.
עִירִין (Irim) - "Watchers, Wakeful Ones"
This term appears in canonical Scripture in Daniel 4:13, 17, 23 - angelic beings observing and reporting on human affairs. The root means "to be awake, watchful." In Enoch, the Watchers were a specific class of angels assigned to observe humanity.
According to 1 Enoch, there were 200 Watchers who descended, led by 20 chiefs. The two most prominent leaders were:
1 Enoch 6-8 describes a two-fold sin:
1 Enoch 6:6 states the Watchers descended on Mount Hermon (Hebrew: חֶרְמוֹן, from חרם "cherem" meaning "devoted to destruction" or "banned").
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Israel/Lebanon border; highest peak in region (9,232 ft) |
| Biblical Significance | Border of Promised Land; site of Baal worship in Canaanite religion |
| Name Meaning | "Devoted/Banned" - associated with the oath of the fallen angels |
| New Testament | Likely location of Yahusha's Transfiguration (Matthew 17); near Caesarea Philippi |
| Archaeological | Numerous ancient temples on slopes; site of pagan worship for millennia |
1 Enoch describes Yahuah's response to the angelic rebellion:
Compare 1 Enoch's account with canonical Scripture:
| 1 Enoch Says | Scripture Says |
|---|---|
| Angels left heaven to take human wives | "Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" (Jude 1:6) |
| Bound in darkness awaiting judgment | "Reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" (Jude 1:6) |
| Cast into a place of imprisonment | "Cast them down to Tartarus, and delivered them into chains of darkness" (2 Peter 2:4) |
| 200 angels sinned together | "The angels that sinned" (2 Peter 2:4) - plural, group action |
| Corruption leading to flood judgment | "Spared not the old world, but saved Noah... bringing in the flood" (2 Peter 2:5) |
One of the most significant teachings in 1 Enoch concerns the origin of demons (evil spirits):
This explanation helps answer questions the Bible doesn't directly address: Where did demons come from? Why do they seek to possess people? What is the difference between fallen angels (imprisoned) and demons (roaming)?
1. According to 1 Enoch, how many Watchers descended on Mount Hermon?
2. Which fallen angel is described as teaching weapon-making, cosmetics, and sorcery?
3. The Hebrew name "Hermon" is related to a word meaning:
4. According to 1 Enoch, demons originated from:
5. The Greek word "Tartarus" (used in 2 Peter 2:4) refers to:
If false, what was their other sin?
Read Jude 1:6-7 and 2 Peter 2:4-5 carefully. List at least THREE details these passages share with the Watcher account in 1 Enoch:
1 Enoch claims the Nephilim were 300 cubits (approximately 450 feet) tall. Scripture describes Goliath at about 9-10 feet and Og's bed at 13.5 feet. How should we handle this discrepancy? What principle should guide us when apocryphal books contradict or exaggerate beyond Scripture?
The Watchers brought "forbidden knowledge" that accelerated human wickedness. What kinds of knowledge or technology in our modern world might be similarly dangerous? How should believers approach new technologies with discernment?
Close this workbook. Write what you remember about the Watchers: who they were, what they did, and what happened to them.
Explain to someone who the "sons of Elohim" were in Genesis 6 based on the Enochic interpretation.
Person I taught: Date:
"There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of Elohim came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them."
The Astronomical Book (1 Enoch 72-82) is considered by scholars to be one of the oldest sections of the Enochian literature, possibly dating to the 3rd century BCE. It presents a detailed solar calendar and cosmological system that differs significantly from the lunar calendar later adopted by Judaism.
1 Enoch presents a year of exactly 364 days - a number divisible evenly by 7, meaning the same day of the week always falls on the same date each year. This calendar was also used by the Qumran community (Dead Sea Scrolls sect).
| Feature | Enochic Calendar (364 days) | Lunar Calendar (354 days) |
|---|---|---|
| Year Length | 364 days (52 weeks exactly) | 354 days (requires intercalation) |
| Divisible by 7? | Yes - festivals always on same day of week | No - festivals shift days |
| Sabbath Consistency | Dates never fall on Sabbath irregularly | Requires constant adjustment |
| Months | 12 months (30 days each + 4 intercalary days) | 12-13 months (29-30 days) |
| Seasons | 4 seasons of 91 days each (13 weeks) | Variable |
1 Enoch describes a geocentric (earth-centered) cosmological model consistent with biblical descriptions:
One fascinating aspect of the Astronomical Book is its description of angels governing natural phenomena:
| Angel | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Uriel | Luminaries (sun, moon, stars) |
| Various unnamed angels | Winds, seasons, elements |
| Ruling angels | Each star has an assigned guide |
This aligns with biblical hints that angels have roles in governing creation (Hebrews 1:7 "who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire"; Revelation's angels over elements).
1. The Enochic calendar has how many days?
2. This calendar is evenly divisible by 7, meaning:
3. Which community, known from the Dead Sea Scrolls, used the Enochic calendar?
4. According to 1 Enoch, which angel governs the luminaries (sun, moon, stars)?
If false, what does it describe?
Read Genesis 1:14-18. According to this passage, what purposes do the lights in the firmament serve? How does this compare with Enoch's description?
The Enochic calendar (364 days) and the lunar calendar (354 days) both differ from our modern solar calendar (365.25 days). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system? Why might Yahuah have ordained "signs, seasons, days, and years" through the luminaries rather than giving us digital clocks?
Close this workbook. Write about Enoch's astronomical knowledge: the calendar, angels, and celestial order.
Explain to someone how the Book of Enoch describes the movement of celestial bodies and why this matters.
Person I taught: Date:
"And Elohim said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years."
The Parables (or Similitudes) of Enoch (chapters 37-71) contain some of the most remarkable Messianic prophecies outside of canonical Scripture. These chapters describe a divine figure called the "Son of Man," the "Elect One," and the "Anointed One" - titles that Yahusha applied to Himself.
The phrase "Son of Man" appears over 80 times in the Gospels as Yahusha's preferred self-designation. Where did this title come from?
| Source | Usage |
|---|---|
| Daniel 7:13-14 | "One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven... and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom" |
| 1 Enoch 46:1-4 | "And there I saw One who had a head of days, and His head was white like wool, and with Him was another being whose countenance had the appearance of a man... This is the Son of Man who hath righteousness" |
| 1 Enoch 48:2-6 | "In that hour was this Son of Man named in the presence of the Lord of Spirits, and his name before the Head of Days. Before the sun and the signs were created, before the stars of heaven were made, his name was named before the Lord of Spirits" |
| Enochic Title | Scripture Parallel |
|---|---|
| Son of Man | Matthew 8:20, Mark 14:62, Luke 21:27 |
| The Elect One / Chosen One | Luke 9:35, 23:35; Isaiah 42:1 |
| The Righteous One | Acts 3:14, 7:52, 22:14 |
| The Anointed One (Messiah) | John 1:41, 4:25; Daniel 9:25-26 |
| Hidden before creation | Colossians 1:26, 1 Peter 1:20 |
| Judge of all | John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42 |
1 Enoch describes the Son of Man sitting on a throne of glory to judge:
Compare with Yahusha's words:
1. According to 1 Enoch 48, when was the Son of Man's name "named before the Lord of Spirits"?
2. "Son of Man" was Yahusha's most common self-designation, appearing how many times in the Gospels?
3. Which section of 1 Enoch was NOT found among the Dead Sea Scrolls?
4. In the Parables, the Son of Man is described as doing what on His throne?
Read Daniel 7:13-14 and compare it with 1 Enoch's description of the Son of Man. What similarities do you notice? What does this tell us about how Second Temple Jews understood Daniel's prophecy?
Why do you think Yahusha chose "Son of Man" as His primary self-designation rather than "Son of Elohim" or "Messiah"? How might His audience have understood this title based on texts like Daniel 7 and the Parables of Enoch?
Close this workbook. Write about the "Son of Man" title in Daniel 7 and how Enoch expands this understanding.
Explain to someone why Yahusha calling Himself "Son of Man" was a claim to divinity, not humility.
Person I taught: Date:
"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven... And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom."
Beyond 1 Enoch, other ancient Jewish texts provide valuable background for understanding Scripture. Two of the most significant are the Book of Jasher (referenced twice in the Bible) and the Book of Jubilees (called "Little Genesis" because it retells Genesis-Exodus).
| Reference | Context |
|---|---|
| Joshua 10:13 | The sun standing still for Joshua is "written in the book of Jasher" |
| 2 Samuel 1:18 | David's lament over Saul and Jonathan is "written in the book of Jasher" |
The Hebrew name Sefer HaYashar means "Book of the Upright" or "Book of the Righteous." It clearly existed in ancient Israel, but what happened to it?
The 1625 version includes fascinating details not found in Genesis:
Unlike Jasher, we have ancient manuscripts of Jubilees from the Dead Sea Scrolls, confirming its antiquity (written ~150 BCE).
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | "Little Genesis," "Book of the Divisions of Times" |
| Date Written | ~150 BCE |
| Original Language | Hebrew |
| Complete Text Survives In | Ge'ez (Ethiopic), like 1 Enoch |
| Canonical Status | Ethiopian Orthodox: Yes. Others: No |
| Dead Sea Scrolls | 15+ fragmentary copies found - highly valued at Qumran |
Jubilees presents itself as a revelation given to Moses on Mount Sinai, retelling Genesis through Exodus 12. Key themes include:
| Value | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Shows how Second Temple Jews interpreted Genesis | Adds details not found in Scripture |
| Confirms antiquity of certain beliefs (calendar, angels) | Some additions may be speculation |
| Highly valued by Qumran and Ethiopian communities | Not accepted by mainstream Judaism or Christianity |
| Useful for understanding cultural context | Should not override or contradict canonical Scripture |
1. The Book of Jasher is referenced in which two biblical books?
2. "Sefer HaYashar" translates to:
3. The Book of Jubilees is also known as:
4. How many copies of Jubilees were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls?
5. What calendar does the Book of Jubilees promote?
If false, explain:
Read Joshua 10:12-14 and 2 Samuel 1:17-27. What events do these passages describe, and what do they tell us about the Book of Jasher that existed in ancient Israel?
Scripture clearly references books that are not in our Bible (Jasher, Book of the Wars of Yahuah, Chronicles of the Kings, etc.). What does this tell us about ancient Israel's literary culture? Should we try to recover these lost books, or accept that Yahuah preserved what He wanted preserved in the canon?
Close this workbook. Write what you remember about the other apocryphal books (Jubilees, Jasher, Tobit, etc.).
Explain to someone the difference between books QUOTED in Scripture vs. books INSPIRED as Scripture.
Person I taught: Date:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd stumbled upon clay jars in caves near the Dead Sea, containing scrolls that had been hidden for nearly 2,000 years. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of Second Temple Judaism and confirmed the antiquity of texts like 1 Enoch that Western Christianity had dismissed.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1947 | First scrolls discovered in Cave 1 near Qumran |
| 1947-1956 | 11 caves explored, yielding ~900 manuscripts |
| 1952 | Cave 4 discovered - contained most fragments (~15,000 pieces) |
| 1956 | Cave 11 found - included Temple Scroll and Psalms Scroll |
| 1991 | Full scroll access finally opened to all scholars |
The Dead Sea Scrolls proved that 1 Enoch was not a medieval Christian forgery but an ancient Jewish text highly valued before Yahusha's time.
| What Was Found | Significance |
|---|---|
| 11 fragmentary copies of 1 Enoch | More copies than many canonical books - shows high status |
| Aramaic originals confirmed | Proves Enoch originated in Jewish, not Christian, context |
| Chapters 1-36 (Watchers), 72-82 (Astronomical), 83-90 (Dreams), 91-108 (Epistle) found | Most sections attested in pre-Christian manuscripts |
| Chapters 37-71 (Parables) NOT found | May indicate later composition or chance of preservation |
| Dates range from 200 BCE - 50 CE | Copies were being made for centuries |
The Book of Jubilees was equally prominent:
Who preserved these scrolls? Most scholars identify them with the Essenes, a Jewish sect described by Josephus and Philo.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Essenes (from Aramaic: "pious ones"); called themselves "Sons of Light" |
| Location | Main community at Qumran; others throughout Judea |
| Beliefs | Strict Torah observance, 364-day calendar, apocalyptic expectations |
| Rejected | Jerusalem Temple leadership as corrupt; lunar calendar as wrong |
| Practiced | Ritual purity, communal meals, celibacy (some), study of Scripture |
| Destruction | Probably destroyed by Romans ~68 CE; scrolls hidden in caves |
1. When were the Dead Sea Scrolls first discovered?
2. How many fragmentary copies of 1 Enoch were found at Qumran?
3. The Dead Sea Scrolls confirmed that 1 Enoch was originally written in:
4. Which Jewish sect is most associated with the Qumran community?
5. Which OT book is the only one NOT represented among the Dead Sea Scrolls?
If false, what did they prove?
If false, explain:
The Dead Sea Scrolls remained hidden for nearly 2,000 years, then were discovered in 1947 - just before Israel became a nation (1948) and recovered the Dead Sea area. Do you think the timing of this discovery is significant? Why might Yahuah have allowed these texts to resurface in our generation?
Using your concordance or Bible search tool, find at least THREE places in the New Testament where Yahusha or the apostles use language similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls (e.g., "sons of light," "children of darkness," "the way"). List the references:
Close this workbook. Write what you remember about the Dead Sea Scrolls: when discovered, what they contained, and their significance.
Explain to someone the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for biblical reliability.
Person I taught: Date:
"You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."
After studying Enoch, Jubilees, Jasher, and other apocryphal works, how do we discern what to accept and what to reject? This final lesson provides a framework for evaluating ANY text - ancient or modern - claiming spiritual authority.
This doesn't mean apocryphal books are worthless - as we've seen, even canonical authors quoted them! It means we hold them in proper perspective: valuable reference material, not equivalent authority.
| Test | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| 1. Consistency Test | Does it contradict clear biblical teaching? Does it add to or subtract from Torah? Does it change the character of Yahuah? |
| 2. Fruit Test | Does studying this produce fear, confusion, or obsession - or faith, hope, and righteousness? What fruit does it bear? |
| 3. Messiah Test | Does it exalt Yahusha HaMashiach? Does it point to Him or away from Him? Does it align with His teachings? |
| 4. Attestation Test | Was it recognized by ancient believers? Is there manuscript evidence? Do canonical writers reference it approvingly? |
| 5. Proportion Test | Am I giving this proper weight - neither dismissing valuable insight nor elevating it above Scripture? |
| Test | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Mostly passes: Core theology aligns with Scripture. Some details (300-cubit giants) seem exaggerated. Judgment and Messiah themes match biblical prophecy. |
| Fruit | Mixed: Can produce insight and faith when read properly. Can become obsessive when made central. Depends on the reader's approach. |
| Messiah | Passes: The Parables exalt a divine, pre-existent "Son of Man" - remarkably Christological. Points toward Yahusha. |
| Attestation | Passes: Jude quotes it. Peter echoes it. Early church fathers cite it. Dead Sea Scrolls prove antiquity. Ethiopian Church preserves it. |
| Proportion | Depends on reader: As reference material illuminating Scripture? Helpful. As equal to Scripture? Wrong. As replacement for Scripture? Dangerous. |
"The Book of Enoch is demonic and shouldn't be touched."
Problem: Jude, writing under Ruach HaKodesh, quoted Enoch as prophecy. Peter echoed its concepts. Early church fathers valued it. Complete dismissal ignores this evidence and cuts us off from legitimate historical understanding.
"Everything in Enoch is inspired and equal to Scripture."
Problem: Some content contradicts or exaggerates beyond Scripture (300-cubit giants). The book wasn't accepted universally in the early church. The Parables section wasn't found at Qumran. We must read critically, not naively.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (one of the oldest Christian communities, tracing back to the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8) has preserved Enoch and Jubilees as canonical for over 1,500 years. While we may not agree with their canonical decision, we should:
1. According to 1 John 4:1, we should:
2. The "Consistency Test" asks whether a text:
3. What is the danger of "Complete Dismissal" of books like Enoch?
4. What is the danger of "Uncritical Acceptance"?
5. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:21, we should:
Apply the Five Tests to the Book of Jubilees based on what you learned in Lesson 6. Rate each test as "Passes," "Fails," or "Mixed" and explain briefly:
1. Consistency Test:
2. Fruit Test:
3. Messiah Test:
4. Attestation Test:
5. Proportion Test:
After completing this workbook, how has your view of apocryphal books changed? What is the most important principle you've learned for evaluating extra-biblical texts? How will you apply this in your ongoing study?
Write out 1 Thessalonians 5:21 from memory:
Close this workbook. Write the key principles for evaluating apocryphal texts from this workbook.
Explain to someone how to approach apocryphal books with wisdom - neither rejecting nor uncritically accepting them.
Person I taught: Date:
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
Instructions: After completing each lesson, review at these intervals for maximum retention.
| Lesson | Completed | Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 7 | Day 21 | Day 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Apocryphal Books Overview | ||||||
| 2. Book of Enoch Intro | ||||||
| 3. The Watchers | ||||||
| 4. Astronomical Book | ||||||
| 5. Messianic Prophecies | ||||||
| 6. Jasher & Jubilees | ||||||
| 7. Dead Sea Evidence | ||||||
| 8. Discernment Guidelines |
Review method: Read your recall notes, recite key points aloud, check answer key for forgotten items.