Bhayro, S; (2000) A Text-Critical and Literary Analysis of 1 Enoch 6-11. Doctoral thesis (PhD), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The Shemihazah and Asael Narrative of 1 Enoch 6-11 is the oldest example of the fallen angels story in Jewish tradition. It tells of the introduction of forbidden secrets into the earth, and the ensuing destruction this caused. The following thesis presents both a literary and textual hypothesis. Attested fully only in the classical Ethiopic version which was preserved by the Ethiopian Orthodox church, there are also two Greek sources (Codex Panopolitanus and the excerpts in Syncellus), a Syriac excerpt from the Chronicle of Michael the Syrian, a Karshuni translation made from the Syriac and, finally, the Aramaic fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The textual hypothesis suggests that the most reliable textual witness is the Greek version Codex Panopolitanus. To date, this source has been considered rather unreliable, but this view is challenged. To enable the construction of the textual hypothesis, the sources for each verse have been assembled and analysed. The evidence and the analysis are presented in a clear verse by verse format, with the overall analysis following at the end. In addition to the textual hypothesis, there is also a literary-critical hypothesis which analyses the narrative in its component parts. This literary hypothesis suggests that the narrative was originally an anti-divination polemic which was subsequently modified to attack other evils such as weaponry and make-up. Finally, the narrative was placed into the wider context of the Book of Watchers which, having a more positive attitude towards the mantic arts, countered the original purpose of the narrative.

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