Bible Word of the Day
Enoch (Grandson of Cain, Father of Methuselah)
Meaning
Enoch is a very interesting historical figure from the Bible. We find him in the Old Testament book of Genesis. Enoch is one of two people in the Bible who are taken up to heaven without dying (the other being Elijah). In other words, Enoch like Elijah never experienced death. Enoch was the grandson of Cain and the son of Jared. Enoch walked closely with God and Enoch had a son, which he named Methuselah. Methuselah was the oldest living person on the face of the earth. Methuselah lived 969 years on earth. Here’s the really interesting part. Methuselah name can be translated “when he dies, it will come” or “when he dies, it will be sent forth.” Methuselah died in the year of the flood. In other words, Noah’s flood came shortly after the death of Methuselah. Many Bible scholars believe because of Enoch’s close walk with God, he knew the flood was coming and named his son Methuselah as a prophetic warning to the people of what was to come.
In addition, because of Enoch’s close walk with God, the Lord took him. In other words the Lord “translated” him from his mortal body to his heavenly body, when God took him to heaven. The only other person who did not die was Elijah who was an Old Testament prophet whom God also took to heaven. These two men cause many Bible scholars to wonder if they will return. The book of Revelation speaks of two witnesses of God who will return and preach during the Tribulation Period for three and half years. After which they will be killed by the Anti-Christ and after three days God will raise them from the dead and take them into heaven. Because of the activities of these two witnesses most Bible scholars are sure one is Elijah, however the second many feel could be Enoch. This is because Enoch like Elijah never experienced death.
“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.” (Book of Genesis 5:21-24)
“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.” (Book of Hebrews 11:5)