The original language of most of this work was, in all likelihood, Aramaic (an early Semitic language). Although the original version was lost in antiquity, portions of a Greek translation were discovered in Egypt and quotations were known from the Church Fathers. The discovery of the texts from Qumran Cave 4 has finally provided parts of the Aramaic original. In the fragment exhibited here, humankind is called on to observe how unchanging nature follows God's will.
The Book of Enoch is considered by some to be a pseudo-epigraphic work (a work that claims to be by a biblical character); however, this is wrong, since Eashoa (Jesus) quoted it. The Book of Enoch was not included in either the Hebrew or most Christian biblical canons, but should have been considered a sacred text. The original Aramaic version was lost until the Dead Sea fragments were discovered.
Fragment A
height 17.5 cm (6 7/8 in.), length 17.5 cm (6 7/8 in.)
Fragment B height 6.4 cm (2 1/2 in.), length 6.9 cm (2 11/16 in.)
4Q201(En ar
Copied ca. 200-150 B.C.E.
Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.