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are still called Hagiographa.? Of these apocryphal works one species is embraced under the term apocalyptic. This latter class is of a prophetic character, and under the assumption of a super human source of information seeks to unravel the mysteries of the present and the future. The contents are generally of a strictly religious character, and contain revelations concerning the kingdom of God and its development, but also discussions of theological questions, such as the relation existing between man’s sin and God's justice, and explanations of the wonderful workings of God in nature and its laws. The incitement to the composition of such pseudo-prophecies must not be sought for so much in a morbid curiosity and a fanciful imagination as in an anxious desire to understand the workings of Providence, or even in a doubt concerning the promises given of old. They frequently owe their existence to the birth-throes of the persecuted and despairing children of God. Consequently the object is generally an apologetic and exhortative one. Both in contents and form they differ from the prophetic books of the old covenant. While these latter form a 1 Cf. Schiirer, l.c., and the different Introductions to the Old and New Testament. 2 Cf. Kitto, Cyclopaedia of Bibl Lit. (3d ed.), I. 168. 13 collection of prophecies, or anthology of different prophecies uttered at different times, and are often unchronologically arranged, the apocalyptic writings generally contain a chain of such prophecies closely connected with each other. In form the enigmatical method of presentation is followed. Symbolical representations and figurative speech in general are employed, names and dates that could disclose the true author and his time are studiously avoided, and to give the whole the impress of antiquity and authority the most notable and pious! in the history of Israel are made the bearers of these revelations. All these works, to a greater or less extent, connect with the book of Daniel as the first and typical apocalyptical writing, and, like it, direct the suffering faithful from the afflictions of their own times to the speedy inauguration of the Messianic times, as the period when their hopes shall be realized and the promises of God redeemed. That one specimen of this peculiar literature is ascribed to Enoch can certainly be no surprise, as the enigmatical words in which his history is recorded Gen. v. 21-24 was a valuable possession in the hands of an apocalyptic writer. The statements there left ample room for a vivid imagination to supply unwritten history, while antiquity and piety made Enoch a welcome name to give force and authority to a book, and the “walking with God” of Enoch and his translation to heaven, which correct exegesis has always read in this passage,” founded his claim of having enjoyed close of Enoch. 2 Enoch is not again mentioned in the canonical books of the Old Testament, but twice in the Son of Sirach, xliv. 16 and xlix. 4, and in both passages the “and he was not” is regarded as synonymous with 14 communion with God and having possessed superhuman knowledge. That the HTR is conceived by our author as a retirement from the earth to the region of higher angelic beings, and the acquisition of superhuman knowledge there, is clear from En. 12:2,! and the method of receiving revelation is shaped accordingly, Enoch receiving his information not so much by dreams and visions as the prophets of old, but rather on a tour in company with the angels made to the ends of the earth and the heavens. In the Parables, 37-71, however, this does not so much exert an influence on the manner of acquiring heavenly wisdom, although the close communication with the angels is there too a prominent characteristic. The number of years in Enoch’s life being three hundred and sixty-five, corresponding to the number of days in a solar year, this fact suggested the idea of making him the bearer of all kinds of secrets concerning nature and its ! Thus we have the Apocalypse of Baruch, the Assumptio Mosis, the Ascensio Isaiae, Fourth Ezra, and here the book