Christianity

Chapter22— The four hollow places of the dead

◆ About this chapter

Chapter 22 of the Book of the Watchers serves as a pivotal cosmological exposition within 1 Enoch, detailing the four hollow places prepared for the spirits of the dead. This section delineates the interim state of souls awaiting the final judgment, reflecting early Jewish apocalyptic concerns regarding the afterlife and divine justice. Situated within the larger narrative of the fallen angels and their consequences, the text offers a structured vision of spiritual geography that bridges the gap between earthly death and eschatological reckoning.

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

And thence I went to another place, and he showed me in the west another great and high mountain of hard rock. ²And there was in it four hollow places, deep and wide and very smooth. ³Then Raphael answered, one of the holy angels who was with me, and said unto me: 'These hollow places have been created for this very purpose, that the spirits of the souls of the dead should assemble therein, yea that all the souls of the children of men should assemble here. ⁴And these places have been made to receive them till the day of their judgement and till their appointed period, till the great judgement comes upon them. ⁵I saw the spirits of the children of men who were dead, and their voice went forth to heaven and made suit. ⁶Then I asked Raphael the angel who was with me, and I said unto him: 'This spirit — whose is it, whose voice goeth forth and maketh suit?' ⁷And he answered me saying: 'This is the spirit which went forth from Abel, whom his brother Cain slew, and he makes his suit against him till his seed is destroyed from the face of the earth.' ⁸Then I asked regarding it, and regarding all the hollow places: 'Why is one separated from the other?' ⁹And he answered me and said unto me: 'These three have been made that the spirits of the dead might be separated. ¹⁰And such has been made for sinners when they die and are buried in the earth and judgement has not been executed on them in their lifetime. ¹¹Here their spirits shall be set apart in this great pain till the great day of judgement and punishment and torment of those who curse for ever and retribution for their spirits. ¹²And such a division has been made for the spirits of those who make their suit, who make disclosures concerning their destruction. ¹³Such has been made for the spirits of men who were not righteous but sinners, who were complete in transgression. ¹⁴Then I blessed the Lord of glory and said: 'Blessed be my Lord, the Lord of righteousness, who ruleth for ever.'

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— 22 —sacredatlas.org