חֲנוֹךְ (cha.nokh)
cha.nokh
Enoch
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name ḥănōḵ means "dedicated" or "consecrated," appearing fifteen times in the Old Testament to identify several distinct individuals. In Genesis, it refers first to Cain’s son, after whom Cain named a city he built (Genesis 4:17). This same root applies to other figures like a son of Midian and an eldest son of Reuben, marking them as set apart within their respective lineages.
Most notably, the name belongs to the patriarch in Genesis 5 who walked with God and was "taken" so that he did not experience death (Genesis 5:24). This unique departure from the standard human fate of dying distinguishes him from all other ancestors listed in that genealogy. The brevity of his narrative highlights a close relationship with the divine rather than a long list of deeds.
Translators consistently render the name as "Enoch" across all occurrences, preserving its identity despite the different bearers. The lexical data confirms that while the meaning remains constant, the biblical text uses this single name to bridge early human history from Cain through to the flood generation via Methuselah’s father.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Enoch means "dedicated" or "consecrated." It appears fifteen times in the Old Testament, marking several individuals who were set apart for specific roles within their families and histories. While some bearers of this name are noted as ancestors in genealogies, one stands out for a relationship with God that defied the normal course of life.
In Genesis 5:24, Enoch is described as walking with God until he was taken by Him. This brief account highlights intimacy over activity. It reminds us that a life dedicated to God is measured not just by what we do, but by how closely we walk with Him. His story offers hope that closeness to the divine transcends even death itself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Enoch9×
- Hanoch3×
- and/ Hanoch2×
- to/ Enoch1×
- [were] Hanoch1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲנ֥וֹךְ3×
- חֲנֽוֹךְ\׃2×
- חֲנ֔וֹךְ2×
- חֲנ֑וֹךְ2×
- לַֽ/חֲנוֹךְ֙1×
- חֲנוֹךְ֙1×
- חֲנ֤וֹךְ1×
- חֲנ֜וֹךְ1×
- חֲנ֖וֹךְ1×
- וַ/חֲנֹ֔ךְ1×
- וַ/חֲנ֔וֹךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him.
This verse uniquely describes Enoch walking with God and being taken by Him, distinguishing his departure from the standard fate of death experienced by other ancestors.
-
Genesis 4:17
Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
Here, Cain names a city after his son Enoch, showing how the name was used to establish identity and legacy in early human history.
-
Genesis 5:22
After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
This verse specifies that Enoch walked with God for three hundred years after Methuselah's birth, emphasizing the duration and consistency of his faithful walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Enoch mean?
Why is Enoch different from other ancestors in Genesis 5?
How many times does the name Enoch appear in the Old Testament?
Every Occurrence (15 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 10 verses
Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his…
Genesis 4:18Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became…
Genesis 5:18Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, then became the father of Enoch.
Genesis 5:19Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:21Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah.
Genesis 5:22After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and…
Genesis 5:23All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
Genesis 5:24Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him.
Genesis 25:4The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
Genesis 46:9The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.