Christianity

Chapter10— The binding of Azazel and the judgement

◆ About this chapter

Chapter 10 of the Book of the Watchers serves as a pivotal narrative hinge within the apocalyptic corpus, transitioning from the revelation of cosmic history to the execution of divine judgment. This section details the binding of the fallen angel Azazel by the archangel Raphael, a motif that underscores the text's central concern with the separation of the holy from the profane. Situated early in the work, it establishes the theological framework for the coming eschaton while reflecting Second Temple Jewish anxieties regarding demonic influence and human corruption.

Translation:

About this translation

King James Version (1611)

1611 · Public domain

The most influential English translation ever made. Sometimes archaic, but the standard PD English text.

Translators commissioned by King James I of England, 1604–1611

Then said the Most High, the Holy and Great One spake, and sent Uriel to the son of Lamech, and said to him: ²Go to Noah and tell him in my name 'Hide thyself!' and reveal to him the end that is approaching. ³And now instruct him that he may escape and his seed may be preserved for all the generations of the world. ⁴And again the Lord said to Raphael: 'Bind Azâzêl hand and foot, and cast him into the darkness. ⁵And place upon him rough and jagged rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there for ever. ⁶And on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire. ⁷And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth. ⁸And the whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azâzêl: to him ascribe all sin. ⁹And to Gabriel said the Lord: 'Proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication. ¹⁰And no request that they make of thee shall be granted unto their fathers on their behalf. ¹¹And the Lord said unto Michael: 'Go, bind Semjâzâ and his associates who have united themselves with women. ¹²And when their sons have slain one another, bind them fast for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth. ¹³In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: and to the torment and the prison. ¹⁴And whosoever shall be condemned and destroyed will from thenceforth be bound together with them to the end. ¹⁵And destroy all the spirits of the reprobate and the children of the Watchers, because they have wronged mankind. ¹⁶Destroy all wrong from the face of the earth and let every evil work come to an end. ¹⁷And then shall all the righteous escape, and shall live till they beget thousands of children. ¹⁸And then shall the whole earth be tilled in righteousness, and shall all be planted with trees. ¹⁹And all desirable trees shall be planted on it, and they shall plant vines on it. ²⁰And cleanse thou the earth from all oppression, and from all unrighteousness, and from all sin. ²¹And all the children of men shall become righteous, and all nations shall offer adoration. ²²And the earth shall be cleansed from all defilement, and from all sin, and from all punishment.

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— 10 —sacredatlas.org