Enoch 8
1 And Azazel taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures.
2 And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjaza taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, Armaros the resolving of enchantments, Baraqijal, (taught) astrology, Kokabel the constellations, Ezeqeel the knowledge of the clouds, Araqiel the signs of the earth, Shamsiel the signs of the sun, and Sariel the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven . . .
Common Questions About Enoch 8
What does Azazel specifically teach humanity in chapter 8?
Azazel teaches men to make weapons of war (swords, knives, shields, and breastplates) and how to work the metals of the earth, and he teaches women bracelets, ornaments, eye cosmetics, and dyes, knowledge the text presents as fueling vanity, godlessness, and corruption rather than benefiting humanity.
What other forbidden knowledge do the other angel-leaders teach according to this chapter?
Chapter 8 lists several other Watchers and the specific secrets each one taught: Semjaza taught enchantments and root-cutting, Armaros taught how to resolve enchantments, Baraqijal taught astrology, Kokabel taught the constellations, Ezeqeel taught knowledge of the clouds, Araqiel taught the signs of the earth, Shamsiel taught the signs of the sun, and Sariel taught the course of the moon.
Have a different question about this chapter? Ask the Bible Chat Bot below.
Questions to Think About
- The knowledge the Watchers share, metalworking, cosmetics, astrology, isn't evil in itself, but the text presents it as corrupting because of who revealed it and why. How do you evaluate whether a skill, technology, or piece of knowledge in your own life is being used to build up or to feed vanity and harm?
- The chapter ends with humanity's cry rising to heaven as suffering increases. When you see the far-reaching consequences of sin in the world, what is your own first response, despair, indifference, or a cry for God to act?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
