Ἐνώχ (Enōch)
Enōch
Enoch
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Enōch appears in three New Testament verses, serving as a brief but significant link to the Old Testament patriarch found in Genesis 5. In Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:37), he is listed among the ancestors of Jesus, connecting the Messiah to ancient history. The author of Hebrews highlights him for his unique relationship with God, noting that he "was taken up" so that he did not experience death (Hebrews 11:5). Jude also references him when quoting a prophetic saying about the Lord coming with thousands of saints (Jude 14).
Derived from the Hebrew name Chanokh, which means "dedicated" or "initiated," the name reflects a life set apart. While the Genesis account describes his final days as walking faithfully with God before being taken by Him, the New Testament writers use his story to illustrate the power of faith and divine favor. His inclusion in Matthew’s and Luke’s genealogies underscores the continuity between Israel’s past and the arrival of Christ.
Enoch stands out among biblical figures for his unusual departure from earthly life. Unlike others who "died" according to the Genesis record, Hebrews emphasizes that he pleased God through faith, resulting in a translation rather than a burial. This distinctive end to his life has made him a symbol of hope and divine acceptance in Christian tradition.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Enoch appears in the New Testament as a quiet but powerful reminder that faithfulness is noticed by God. In Luke’s genealogy, he is listed among Jesus’ ancestors, showing that the Savior’s lineage stretches back to ordinary men who walked closely with the Lord. This connection grounds our hope in real history, not just abstract ideas.
The letter to Hebrews highlights Enoch because his life pleased God so deeply that he was taken directly into God’s presence without seeing death. Jude references him to show that God speaks across generations, using faithful people to warn and encourage others. His story invites us to consider what it means to live in a way that honors God every day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Enoch2×
- of Enoch1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἑνὼχ3×
Key Verses
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Hebrews 11:5
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.
This verse explains that Enoch’s faith resulted in him being translated by God, serving as proof that pleasing God is possible through trust.
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Jude 1:14
About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
Here Jude quotes Enoch to show that even ancient patriarchs received prophetic insight about the Lord’s future judgment and glory.
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Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
This genealogical entry places Enoch in the direct line of Jesus, linking the Messiah to a man known for his close walk with God.