Credible Theories
Enoch, Jubilees and others · 3 Enoch (Sefer Hekhalot) 4–15

Enoch becomes Metatron

Reference3 Enoch (Sefer Hekhalot) 4–15
Writtenc. 400–600 CE
SetEnoch's transformation
Rabbi Ishmael meets Metatron, who explains he was once Enoch son of Jared. His flesh was turned to flame, his veins to fire, his eyelashes to lightning, his eyes to torches. He was given 72 wings and a throne, and called 'the lesser YHWH'.

Summary by the editors. Translation: Summary in my own words

Read it literally

The fullest transformation story. A man who became the chief of staff.

What scholars say

Hebrew mystical text from Babylonia. Hugo Odeberg's 1928 English translation.

Taken up alive Looks like technology
People and places hereHugo OdebergRabbi Ishmael

Quick answers about 3 Enoch

Where is 3 Enoch found?

3 Enoch (Sefer Hekhalot) 4–15 (Enoch, Jubilees and others). Translation quoted: Summary in my own words.

When was 3 Enoch written?

c. 400–600 CE.

What do scholars say about 3 Enoch?

Hebrew mystical text from Babylonia. Hugo Odeberg's 1928 English translation.

Rabbit holes in this passage

PersonEnochThe man who 'walked with God: and he was not; for God took him,' and who became the hero of an entire library of visions.BeingMetatronThe highest angel of Jewish mystical texts, once the human Enoch, called 'the lesser YHWH' and given a throne of his own.

Sources

  1. Genesis 5:18–24, King James VersionPrimary text
  2. 3 Enoch 3–15, trans. Hugo Odeberg, 3 Enoch or the Hebrew Book of Enoch (1928)Primary text

Scholarly dates are rounded. The wording follows the named public-domain translation.

Updated