Aggada -- Translations into English; Bible. Old Testament -- Legends; Jewish legends; Midrash -- Translations into English
Two hundred angels descended to the summit of Mount Hermon, which owes
its name to this very occurrence, because they bound themselves there
to fulfil their purpose, on the penalty of Herem, anathema. Under the
leadership of twenty captains they defiled themselves with the
daughters of men, unto whom they taught charms, conjuring formulas, how
to cut roots, and the efficacy of plants. The issue from these mixed
marriages was a race of giants, three thousand ells tall, who consumed
the possessions of men. When all had vanished, and they could obtain
nothing more from them, the giants turned against men and devoured many
of them, and the remnant of men began to trespass against the birds,
beasts, reptiles, and fishes, eating their flesh and drinking their
blood.
Then the earth complained about the impious evil-doers. But the fallen
angels continued to corrupt mankind. Azazel taught men how to make
slaughtering knives, arms, shields, and coats of mail. He showed them
metals and how to work them, and armlets and all sorts of trinkets, and
the use of rouge for the eyes, and how to beautify the eyelids, and how
to ornament themselves with the rarest and most precious jewels and all
sorts of paints. The chief of the fallen angels, Shemhazai, instructed
them in exorcisms and how to cut roots; Armaros taught them how to
raise spells; Barakel, divination from the stars; Kawkabel, astrology;
Ezekeel, augury from the clouds; Arakiel, the signs of the earth;
Samsaweel, the signs of the sun; and Seriel, the signs of the moon.[57]
While all these abominations defiled the earth, the pious Enoch lived
in a secret place. None among men knew his abode, or what had become of
him, for he was sojourning with the angel watchers and holy ones. Once
he heard the call addressed to him: "Enoch, thou scribe of justice, go
unto the watchers of the heavens, who have left the high heavens, the
eternal place of holiness, defiling themselves with women, doing as men
do, taking wives unto themselves, and casting themselves into the arms
of destruction upon earth. Go and proclaim unto them that they shall
find neither peace nor pardon. For every time they take joy in their
offspring, they shall see the violent death of their sons, and sigh
over the ruin of their children. They will pray and supplicate
evermore, but never shall they attain to mercy or peace."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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