Enoch
The Translated Prophet
Enoch walked with God and was taken up without tasting death. His story appears across all Abrahamic traditions but receives its fullest treatment in Restoration scripture, where he builds a city of Zion.
Across Traditions
Judaism
Name
Hanoch
Role
Righteous man who walked with God
Summary
Enoch is briefly mentioned in Genesis as one who 'walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.' Jewish midrashic tradition expanded this into elaborate accounts of Enoch's heavenly journeys and angelic transformation (Metatron in 3 Enoch). The Book of Enoch was influential in Second Temple Judaism.
Source Text
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him
Genesis 5:24
Christianity
Name
Enoch
Role
Man of faith who was translated
Summary
Hebrews lists Enoch among the heroes of faith, saying he 'was translated that he should not see death.' Jude quotes the Book of Enoch directly. Early Christians considered 1 Enoch authoritative, though it later fell out of the biblical canon in most traditions.
Source Text
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him
Hebrews 11:5
Islam
Name
Idris
Role
Prophet raised to a high station
Summary
Idris is generally identified with Enoch and is described as a truthful prophet whom God raised to a high station. Islamic tradition credits him with being among the first to write with a pen and to study astronomy. He is mentioned twice in the Quran.
Source Text
And mention in the Book, Idris. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. And We raised him to a high station
Quran 19:56-57
LDS
Name
Enoch
Role
Prophet, seer, and builder of Zion
Summary
Enoch receives the most extensive treatment in Restoration scripture. Moses 6-7 describes his calling as a young man, his vision of God weeping, and his building of the city of Zion — an entire community so righteous that God took it to heaven. D&C 107 records his priesthood ordination at age 25.
Source Text
And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them
Moses 7:18
Connected Figures
Theme
Common Ground
Description
All traditions agree Enoch was uniquely righteous and was taken up by God without dying — an extraordinary distinction shared by very few figures in scripture.
Theme
Restoration Addition
Description
The Pearl of Great Price provides by far the most detailed account of Enoch's ministry, including God weeping over wickedness, the concept of Zion as a gathered community, and the promise of Zion's return in the last days.