The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) · 51 of 141 · tr. R.H. Charles

Chapter XXXII

CHAPTER XXXII. E 1. And after these fragrant odours, as I looked towards the north over the mountains I saw seven mountains full of choice nard and fragrant trees and cinnamon and pepper. G g 1. To the north-east I beheld seven mountains full of choice nard and mastic and cinnamon and pepper. 2. And thence I went over the summits of ⌈ all ⌉ these mountains, far towards the east ⌈ of the earth ⌉ , and passed above the Erythraean sea and went far from it, and passed over ⌈⌈ the angel ⌉⌉ Zotîêl. p. 54 E 3. And I came to the Garden of Righteousness, and saw beyond those trees many large trees growing there and of goodly fragrance, large, very beautiful and glorious, and the tree of wisdom whereof they eat and know great wisdom. G g 3. And I came to the Garden of Righteousness, and from afar off trees more numerous than these trees and great--†two† trees there, very great, beautiful, and glorious, and magnificent, and the tree of knowledge, whose holy fruit they eat and know great wisdom. 4. ⌈ That tree is in height like the fir, and its leaves are ⌉ like (those of) the Carob tree: and its fruit is like the clusters of the vine, very beautiful: and the fragrance of the tree penetrates afar. 5. Then I said: ' ⌈ How ⌉ beautiful is the tree, and how attractive is its look!' 6. Then Raphael the holy angel, who was with me, answered me ⌈⌈ and said ⌉⌉ : 'This is the tree of wisdom, of which thy father old (in years) and thy aged mother, who were before thee, have eaten, and they learnt wisdom and their eyes were opened, and they knew that they were naked and they were driven out of the garden.'

Themes

◆Forbidden Knowledgesoteriology

Transgressive knowing acquired against divine prohibition — the Watchers' teaching of metallurgy, sorcery, and cosmetics in 1 Enoch, the Gnostic Eve narratives, the Promethean mytheme; explicitly contrasted with gnosis_direct_knowledge, which is salvific.

Raphael explains that Adam and Eve ate from the tree of wisdom/knowledge, gained knowledge, but were subsequently driven out of the garden.

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◆Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

Raphael reveals the history and meaning of the Tree of Wisdom to Enoch, providing esoteric knowledge not previously known.

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◆Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

The text specifies 'seven mountains' in the north and north-east, utilizing symbolic numbers common in apocalyptic literature.

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◆Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

The angel Raphael accompanies and guides Enoch through the cosmic geography, functioning as a guide through heavenly realms.

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◆Separation From Sourcesoteriology

The felt condition of exile from one's divine origin — Rumi's reed flute torn from its bed, Plotinus's 'we have forgotten,' the Gnostic forgetfulness; the affective wound that complements return_to_source and gives the return its motive.

The passage explicitly describes the expulsion of humanity from the Garden of Righteousness, representing exile from divine origin.

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◆Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

Enoch travels over mountains and seas to reach the Garden of Righteousness, depicting a staged journey upward through heavenly realms.

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Related passages · 3 parallels

◆egyptian|The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)|Chapter 9 (part 3)

“5. Lanzone, Domicile des Esprits , p. 1; Dizionario , p. 1292. 6. Maspero, La Mythologie Égyptienne ( Études , I. ii., p. 207); Jéquier, Le Livre , p. 3 The eastern mountain peak was called Bakhatet, and the western Manu. 7. I.e.…”

Both passages describe a journey to a divine or sacred realm where the protagonist encounters sacred trees or fields and gains knowledge or eternal life. The passages share themes of transformation and divine connection, reflecting a conceptual parallel in mystical traditions.

◆finnic|The Kalevala|Rune IIc

“Straightway to the oak-tree turning, Thither stalks the mighty giant, In his raiment long and roomy, Flapping in the winds of heaven; With his second step he totters On the land of darker color; With his third stop firmly planted, Reaches h…”

Both passages describe a significant tree that holds mystical or magical properties. In the Kalevala, the oak tree's fall brings about change and new growth, symbolizing transformation and the acquisition of magical knowledge. In the second passage, the tree of wisdom in the Garden of Righteousness provides knowledge and insight, leading to a change in the understanding of the characters. Both texts emphasize the transformative power of these trees and their role in imparting wisdom or magical abilities.

◆mandaean|Gnostic John the Baptizer — The Story of the Breach with Judaism|Section 3

“Thou hast won the victory, Gnosis of Life, and helped all thy friends to victory. And Life is victorious. p. 65 THE EXILED COMMUNITY SETTLE ON THE EUPHRATES (§ 35). In the Name of Great Life, may hallowed Light be glorified. MIRYAI am…”

Both passages describe a mystical tree with profound significance. In Passage A, the tree of wisdom in the Garden of Righteousness is central, while in Passage B, the tree of Life is a focal point. Both trees are associated with knowledge, life, and a sense of divine presence, reflecting a genuine conceptual parallel across different mystical traditions.