(4) Historical Value. Presuming that it was written by a Jew, the book before us is an im portant document in the history of Jewish opin ions. It indicates an essential portion of the Jew ish creed before the appearance of Christ, and as sists us in comparing the theological views of the later with those of the earlier Jews. It also serves to establish the fact that sonic doctrines of great importance in the eyes of evangelical Christians ought not to be regarded as the growth of an age in which Christianity had been corrupted by the inventions of men. We would not appeal to it as possessing authority. The place of authority can he assigned to the Bible alone. But apart from all ideas of authority, it may be fairly regarded as an index of the state of opinion at the time when it was written. Hence it subserves the confirmation of certain opinions, provided they can he shown to have a good foundation in the word of God. If it he conceded that certain doc trines are contained by express declaration or fair inference in the volume of inspiration, it is surely some attestation of their truth that they lie on the surface of this ancient hook. Let 1.s briefly allude to several representations which oc cur in its pages:— (5) Doctrines. (a) Respecting the nature of the Deity.—There are distinct allusions to a
plurality in the Godhead. The doctrine of the Trinity seems to have been received by the writer and his contemporaries. In accordance with this view Christ is represented as existing from eterni ty; as an object of invocation and worship; and as the supreme Judge of men and angels.
(b) The doctrine of a future state of retribu tion is implied in many passages, and the eternity of future punishment is also distinctly contained in the honk of Enoch. Whatever value may he attached to the theological opinions expressed in the book of Enoch, it is apparent from the pre ceding extracts that certain sentiments to which evangelical Christians assign a high importance, because, in their view, they are contained in Scrip ture. appear to have prevailed at the commence ment of the Christian era. To the serious in quirer they can never he of trifling interest.
S. D. ENOCH, CITY OF (Cnok). Sec ENOCH, I. ENuN (c'non). Sec /Excix.
ENOS O'n.-s), (Het,. en-Ohsh', man, especially as 'florid/. decoying), the son of Seth awl father of Cainan. He died at the age of 905. (B. C. 3937-3032)• More properly ENOSH (Gen. iv:26; v:6, 7,9, io, Ii; Luke iii:38).
ENOSH (E'nosh), (I Chron. i:i). Same as ENos.