# 3 Enoch (Hebrew Enoch) 18:24

**Not Scripture.** Read [Why](https://apologetics.wiki/non-canonical/3-enoch#research-notice) and [the Issues With This Book](https://apologetics.wiki/non-canonical/3-enoch#issues-with-this-book).

Why is he called Sopheriel H’ who killeth (Sopheriel H’ the Killer)? Because he is appointed over the books of the dead: [so that] everyone, when the day of his death draws nigh, he writes him in the books of the dead. Why is he called Sopheriel H’ who maketh alive (Sopheriel H’ the Lifegiver)? Because he is appointed over the books of the living (of life), so that every one whom the Holy One, blessed be He, will bring into life, he writes him in the book of the living (of life), by authority of MAQOM. Thou might perhaps say: “Since the Holy One, blessed be He, is sitting on a throne, they also are sitting when writing”. (Answer): The Scripture teaches us (1 Kings xxii. 19, 2 Chron. xviii. 18): “And all the host of heaven are standing by him”. “The host of heaven” (it is said) in order to show us, that even the Great Princes, none like whom there is in the high heavens, do not fulfil the requests of the Shekina otherwise than standing. But how is it (possible that) they (are able to) write, when they are standing? It is like this:

Not received as Scripture by the Jewish canon or by the major Christian churches, apart from local exceptions such as the Ethiopian Orthodox canon, which includes 1 Enoch and Jubilees. This is not the Apocrypha.

- Edition: odeberg-1928
- Source: https://archive.org/details/3enochorhebrewbo00unse
- URL: https://apologetics.wiki/non-canonical/3-enoch/18/24
- Previous: https://apologetics.wiki/non-canonical/3-enoch/18/23
- Next: https://apologetics.wiki/non-canonical/3-enoch/18/25
