Enoch's Translation in Hebrews 11 and Genesis 5
Hebrews 11:5 states, "By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God" [1]. This verse refers to the account of Enoch in Genesis 5:21-24, where it is recorded that "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" [4]. The author of Hebrews interprets this Genesis passage to mean that Enoch did not experience a normal death but was instead "translated" or taken by God [4].
The literary context of Hebrews 11 is a discourse on faith, presenting a "cloud of witnesses" who exemplified faith throughout biblical history. Enoch is the second figure mentioned after Abel, serving as an early example of faith leading to divine favor and a unique outcome [1]. The chapter emphasizes that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6), and Enoch's story is presented as evidence that his pleasing God was directly linked to his faith [1].
The historical setting of the book of Hebrews is generally understood to be the first century CE, written to Jewish Christians who were perhaps wavering in their faith or considering a return to Judaism. The author uses examples from the Hebrew Scriptures to encourage perseverance in Christian faith [1]. The Genesis account of Enoch is part of the primeval history, detailing the lineage from Adam to Noah [4].
The key term in Hebrews 11:5 is "translated" (Greek: metatithemi), which implies a change of place or state [1]. The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) uses a similar term for Genesis 5:24, stating that "God translated him" (metetheken auton ho theos) [4]. This term signifies that Enoch was moved from the earthly realm without experiencing death, a unique event in the Genesis narrative [4]. The phrase "he was not found" in Hebrews 11:5 directly echoes Genesis 5:24, reinforcing the idea of his disappearance from the earth [1, 4].
One major exegetical decision in interpreting Hebrews 11:5 is understanding the nature of Enoch's "translation." The text explicitly states he "wouldn’t see death" [1]. This is understood by many commentators to mean that Enoch was physically transported to heaven, thus bypassing the common human experience of death [4]. This interpretation is consistent with the broader theme of Hebrews 11, which highlights extraordinary acts of God in response to faith [1].
Various traditions have interpreted Enoch's story. In Jewish tradition, the account of Enoch's disappearance has led to diverse interpretations. While the Genesis text is concise, later Jewish literature, such as the Book of Enoch (not canonical in Judaism or most Christian traditions), expands significantly on his life and heavenly journey. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a medieval Jewish rationalist, often provided concise explanations for biblical terms and concepts, though his specific commentary on Enoch's translation is not provided in the sources [5, 6, 8, 9]. However, the brevity of the Genesis account itself has allowed for much speculation.
In Christian tradition, particularly Reformed thought, commentators like John Calvin have addressed the Genesis account. While the provided excerpt from Calvin's commentary on Genesis is brief and refers to an English version [7], his broader theological framework would likely emphasize God's sovereign act in taking Enoch, highlighting divine grace and Enoch's faith as a model for believers. The Westminster Confession, a Reformed creed, also affirms the unique nature of Enoch's translation as an exception to the general rule of death for all humanity.
The passage in Hebrews 11:5 functions as a testament to the power of faith and God's ability to act outside conventional human experience. It sets a precedent for divine intervention that transcends natural laws, preparing the reader for other miraculous acts of faith described later in the chapter, such as Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Hebrews 11:19) or Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons (Hebrews 11:21) [2, 3]. Enoch's translation serves as an early biblical example of a human being taken directly into God's presence, a concept that resonates with later discussions of resurrection and eternal life.
Sources
- Hebrews “By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God. -- Hebrews 11:5”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 22:5 cross-references: Hebrews 11:19, Hebrews 12:1”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 11:21 cross-references: Genesis 47:31, Genesis 48:5”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 11:5: 11:5 Enoch was taken up to heaven and thus did not face a normal death (see Gen 5:21-24). • “he disappeared, because God took him”: Gen 5:24.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 34:6: AND GRACIOUS. Chanun (gracious) is the fifth attribute.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 10:5: AND THEY SHALL COVER. Metaphorically speaking.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 20.21: 399 As in the English version.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 14:9: FINS AND SCALES. This has been explained previously. 11 See I.E. on Lev. 11:9.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 43:11: BALM AND…SPICERY. I have previously explained these terms. 5 See I.E.’s comments on Gen. 37:25.”