Appendix - An Annotated Apocalypse of the Birds (1 Enoch 89.59–90.42)

Summary

Adapted from Michael Knibb's translation of MS Rylands 23, with suggested identifications

Introducing the Apocalypse of the Birds

(59) And he called seventy shepherds and cast off those sheep that they might pasture them; and he said to the shepherds and to their companions: “Each one of you from now on is to pasture the sheep, and do whatever I command you. (60) And I will hand (them) over to you duly numbered and will tell you which of them are to be destroyed, and destroy them.” And he handed those sheep over to them (61) And he called another and said to him: “Observe and see everything that the shepherds do against these sheep, for they will destroy from among them more than I have commanded them. (62) And write down all the excess and destruction which is wrought by the shepherds, how many they destroy at my command, and how many they destroy of their own volition; write down against each shepherd individually all that he destroys. (63) And read out before me exactly how many they destroy of their own volition, and how many are handed over to them for destruction, that this may be a testimony for me against them, that I may know all the deeds of the shepherds, in order to hand them over (for destruction), and may see what they do, whether they abide by my command which I have commanded them, or not. (64) But they must not know (this), and you must not show (this) to them, nor reprove them, but (only) write down against each individual in his time all that the shepherds destroy and bring it all up to me.”