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The Forgotten Books of Eden · 112 of 293

Secrets of Enoch: Chapter VII

Of how Enoch was taken on to the second heaven.

1.AND those men took me and led me up on to the second heaven, and showed me darkness, greater than earthly darkness, and there I saw prisoners hanging, watched, awaiting the great and boundless judgement, and these angels were dark-looking, more than earthly darkness, and incessantly making weeping through all hours.

2.And I said to the men who were with me: ‘Wherefore are these incessantly tortured?’ they answered me: ‘These are God’s apostates, who obeyed not God’s commands, but took counsel with their own will, and turned away with their prince, who also is fastened on the fifth heaven.’

3.And I felt great pity for them, and they saluted me, and said to me: ‘Man of God, pray for us to the Lord’; and I answered to them: ‘Who am I, a mortal man, that I should pray for angels? who knoweth whither I go, or what will befall me? or who will pray for me?’

Asked of Guide

Why does Enoch refuse to pray for the imprisoned angels?

Enoch refuses because he identifies himself as a mortal—a man of limited standing—and he doubts his right or power to intercede for angels. The chapter records his exact words: “Who am I, a mortal man, that I should pray for angels?” which frames his hesitation as humility and fear about overstepping cosmic roles.

The text also shows the angels asking him to pray, so their plea contrasts with his uncertainty about destiny and protection: “who knoweth whither I go, or what will befall me?” This scene echoes themes in Revelation where heavenly order and judgment are absolute, and humans are portrayed as vulnerable witnesses rather than officials of divine judgment.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.