Enoch is one of the most mysterious and fascinating figures in the Bible. His life is recorded in just a few verses, yet his story carries profound theological significance. What makes him stand out is that, unlike everyone before him, he did not see death—a statement that is unparalleled in early biblical history.
Enoch’s Life: A Walk with God
We are first introduced to Enoch in Genesis 5:21-24, which states:
“Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
This passage is striking for several reasons:
He Walked with God – This phrase is rarely used in Scripture and signifies an intimate, continual relationship with the Lord. This is more than just righteousness—it is fellowship.
He Lived 365 Years – This number is unique, as most of his predecessors and successors lived much longer. It mirrors the number of days in a year, a possible symbol of completeness.
He Was Not, for God Took Him – This phrase interrupts the pattern of Genesis 5, where every other person listed ends with “and he died.” Enoch’s departure is different. He did not die—he was taken.
A Unique Departure from Earth
The genealogy in Genesis 5 follows a strict pattern:
Adam lived… and he died.
Seth lived… and he died.
Enosh lived… and he died.
This pattern repeats for all the patriarchs—until Enoch. The phrase “and he was not, for God took him” is a stark contrast. It implies a sudden and divine removal from the earth. This event is clarified in Hebrews 11:5:
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
This verse confirms that Enoch’s removal was an act of divine favor, based on his faith. He pleased God, and as a result, he was taken—without experiencing death.
Enoch as a Foreshadowing of the Rapture
Enoch is one of the earliest biblical types of the rapture. He was taken up before the judgment of the flood, just as the Church will be taken up before the Tribulation. Jesus taught that “as in the days of Noah, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37), making Enoch’s translation a prophetic picture of the Church’s rapture.
Paul describes this same event in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Enoch, as the first man to be taken alive, represents those who will be caught up at Christ’s return.
Mentions of Enoch Elsewhere in Scripture
The Prophecy of Enoch (Jude 14-15)
One of the most fascinating references to Enoch is found in Jude 14-15:
“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.'”
This prophecy reveals that Enoch was not only a righteous man but also a prophet. His words foretell the second coming of Christ, when He will return with His saints to execute judgment.
Enoch in Hebrews 11:5-6
The New Testament praises Enoch for his faith:
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
This confirms that Enoch’s translation was based on faith. His life was a model of seeking after God, and God rewarded him by taking him into His presence.
The Legacy of Enoch
He Walked with God – His life was characterized by intimacy with the Lord, something we should strive for.
He Pleased God – His faith and obedience were so strong that God honored him uniquely.
He Prophesied Judgment – His message was one of warning about coming judgment, much like the Church today.
He Was Taken Alive – He is a prototype of the rapture, pointing to God’s plan to remove His faithful before judgment falls.
My Final Thoughts
Enoch’s account is brief but profound. He stands as a witness to the power of faith, the reality of divine reward, and the mystery of God’s plan for His people. While others perished, he was taken. While others faced death, he was spared. His life was a prophetic picture of things to come, showing that those who truly walk with God will one day be taken into His presence, never tasting death.
Enoch’s testimony still speaks today: God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
