The Book of Enoch is one of the most mysterious and intriguing ancient texts preserved outside the traditional Bible. It contains vivid imagery of the heavens, the stars, the sun and moon, and even speaks of the “ends of the earth,” “portals,” and “foundations.” Because of this language, some claim the Book of Enoch teaches a flat earth cosmology.
But is that really the case?
Let’s examine the key passages and ideas to see whether Enoch is promoting a flat earth, or if these descriptions can also be interpreted symbolically or even understood in the context of a globe. It is important to note that Enoch never states that the Earth is flat.
📖 Key Enoch Passages and What They Say
Here are some of the most cited texts used in the debate:
| Enoch Passage | Description | Flat Earth View | Globe-Compatible View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enoch 18:2–5 | Winds, firm foundations, corners of the earth | Literal "corners" and supports | Symbolic of God’s order and directionality |
| Enoch 33:1–2 | Stars emerge from portals | Physical gates in firmament | Describing the observable rising/setting of stars |
| Enoch 34:1 | "Ends of the earth" | The earth must have an edge | Poetic language—used in Psalms and other Scriptures too |
| Enoch 77–78 | Four winds and directions | Flat map orientation | Cardinal directions used on spheres too |
| Enoch 72–82 | 364-day solar calendar, celestial motion through gates | Fixed, flat world with dome | Geocentric view based on visible motion from Earth |
🧠 What Are We Looking At—Science or Symbolism?
🗝️ Symbolic or Poetic Language
The Book of Enoch is full of visionary and apocalyptic language. It’s important to remember:
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It was not written as a scientific manual.
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Like the Psalms, it uses expressions like “foundations,” “pillars,” and “ends” to describe God’s creative order, not engineering specs.
🔭 Phenomenological Observation
Many ancient texts describe the world as it appears from Earth. The sun rising and setting through “portals” may reflect the visible horizon and the regular motion of heavenly bodies, not a belief in a literal wall or edge.
⚖️ Should We Read Enoch Literally?
Not necessarily. In fact, even within Enoch, much is clearly symbolic:
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Mountains of fire, stars imprisoned in pits, and gates in the sky are all consistent with visionary language found in other prophetic books like Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation.
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Just because these things are described vividly doesn't mean they are meant to be taken as physical geography.
🧭 Final Thoughts
While many ancient cultures did believe in a flat earth, it’s not certain that the author(s) of Enoch did. The language used in 1 Enoch can certainly be interpreted symbolically, and much of it is compatible with a geocentric but spherical earth model.
So does the Book of Enoch teach a flat earth?
👉 Not definitively. And depending on how you read the text, possibly not at all.
It’s a reminder that ancient sacred texts often speak in layers—and we must be careful not to impose our own assumptions on them.
📖 Scripture Tie-Ins: Does the Bible Speak of a Flat Earth?
To better understand the language in 1 Enoch, it's helpful to compare it with similar expressions found in canonical Scripture. These verses use poetic or symbolic language—just like Enoch—when describing the world and God’s creation:
🌎 Psalm 104:5
“Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.”
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Describes stability, not structure.
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Symbolic of God's sustaining power—not a literal architectural foundation.
“Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.”
Describes stability, not structure.
Symbolic of God's sustaining power—not a literal architectural foundation.
🌬️ Daniel 7:2
“I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.”
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“Four winds” reflects cardinal directions or spiritual forces—not flatness.
“I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.”
“Four winds” reflects cardinal directions or spiritual forces—not flatness.
🗺️ Isaiah 11:12
“And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel... from the four corners of the earth.”
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Commonly used phrase to describe the whole world.
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A globe also has north, south, east, and west—this is not proof of a flat earth.
“And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel... from the four corners of the earth.”
Commonly used phrase to describe the whole world.
A globe also has north, south, east, and west—this is not proof of a flat earth.
🌌 Job 26:7
“He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.”
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One of the most profound cosmological statements in Scripture.
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Shows that God suspends the earth without physical support, contrary to ancient flat-earth cosmologies.
“He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.”
One of the most profound cosmological statements in Scripture.
Shows that God suspends the earth without physical support, contrary to ancient flat-earth cosmologies.
🙏 Final Reflection
The Book of Enoch, like many ancient writings, speaks in the language of vision and mystery. Its descriptions of the earth, stars, and heavens don’t have to be read as literal geography. Instead, they can be seen as symbolic truths wrapped in ancient cultural understanding.
As with all things, we must weigh them in light of the inspired Word of God, and test the spirits to see what is true (1 John 4:1).