Adventistische Schriften über: "Why does Jude 1:14–15 quote Enoch even though Enoch did not write the Book of Enoch himself?"

No relevant passages were found in the writings of Ellen G. White on this question. What follows, therefore, is a direct biblical explanation, consistent with her understanding of the authority of Scripture.

What does Jude quote?

Jude 14–15 introduces a declaration of judgment by saying that Enoch, “the seventh from Adam,” prophesied. A very similar statement appears in 1 Enoch 1:9. The so-called First Book of Enoch, however, is a collection of Jewish writings that, according to the prevailing historical assessment, originated many centuries after the biblical Enoch. Its present form therefore does not come from Enoch himself.

A prophecy is not the same as authorship of a book

The key distinction is this: Jude attributes a prophecy to Enoch; he does not claim that Enoch wrote the entire Book of Enoch. Therefore, there is not necessarily a contradiction between his statement and the book’s later composition.

We cannot determine with certainty exactly how Jude knew this tradition. He may have used the written Enochic tradition. From a perspective faithful to the Bible, it is also possible that an older, accurate tradition was preserved in it. Historically, however, it cannot be demonstrated that the words in question were actually passed down from Enoch over thousands of years. This uncertainty should be acknowledged openly.

Does the quotation make the entire Book of Enoch Scripture?

No. The use of a particular statement does not automatically validate the entire work in which it appears. Paul, too, draws on the words of poets outside the Bible without thereby adopting all their ideas (Acts 17:28).

In keeping with Ellen White’s understanding of Scripture, the Bible remains the authoritative standard by which all things are tested. In his letter, Jude affirms the declaration of judgment he cites; this does not imply a blanket endorsement of all the narratives and teachings of the Book of Enoch. At the same time, the wording of Jude’s letter should be taken seriously: Jude presents the statement as a prophecy of Enoch, not merely as a nonbinding literary example.

What is Jude’s main concern?

His concern is not the history of the composition of the Book of Enoch, but a solemn spiritual truth: God will not overlook ungodliness and evil words. This message agrees with other biblical statements about judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10). It calls us to repentance and to a life of trust in Christ.

In short: Jude can cite a prophecy attributed to Enoch without claiming that Enoch wrote the Book of Enoch, which was compiled later. The Bible does not explain the exact way the prophecy was transmitted.

Note: This answer is based on general knowledge of the Bible, its historical setting, and Adventist principles, not on Ellen White documents found on this subject. This distinction is especially important when dealing with specific Adventist or biblical questions of detail.