Bible Strands
Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The anonymous author of Hebrews, writing to Jewish believers tempted to abandon Christ for the temple system, lists Enoch as the second faith-example (after Abel) to build toward the general principle in verse 6.
The words — μετετράπη (metetethē), "was translated," is a compound of meta- ("across") and tithēmi ("to place"); it is the same LXX verb used for Enoch in Genesis 5:24, marking a consistent Greek rendering of the concept rather than a new theological coinage.
The thread — Genesis 5:24 is the direct source; 2 Kings 2:11 supplies the parallel for Elijah; Jude 1:14 later quotes Enoch as a prophetic voice, confirming the author's assumption that Enoch's testimony outlasts his physical disappearance.
Why it lands — The verse is placed immediately before Hebrews 11:6's definition of faith, so Enoch functions not as a miracle story but as proof that sustained, daily trust ("he walked with God," Gen 5:22) is what God commends and preserves.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Cross-references
- Genesis 5:21 When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah.
- Jude 1:14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones
- 2 Kings 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
- Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
- Revelation 11:9 For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb.
- 2 Kings 2:16 “Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied.
- Psalms 89:48 What man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
- 1 John 3:22 and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
- John 8:51 Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”