3 Enoch Chapter 2: Modernized English & Source Wording
The Hebrew Book · Lightly modernized English
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Rabbi Ishmael which are answered by Metatron Rabbi Ishmael said:
1 In that hour the eagles of the Merkaba, the flaming 'Ophannim and the Seraphim of consuming fire asked Metatron, saying to him:
2 "Youth! Why do you allow one born of woman to enter and see the Merkaba? From which nation, from which tribe is this one? What is his character?"
3 Metatron answered and said to them: "From the nation of Israel whom the Holy One, blessed be he, chose for his people from among seventy tongues (nations), from the tribe of Levi, whom he set aside as a contribution to his name and from the seed of Aaron whom the Holy One, blessed be he, did choose for his servant and put on him the crown of priesthood on Sinai".
4 Immediately they spoke and said: "Indeed, this one is worthy to see the Merkaba ". And they said: "Happy is the people that is in such a case!".
Compare This Chapter with Its English Source
Hugo Odeberg, 3 Enoch or the Hebrew Book of Enoch (1928). Translation-only transcription hosted by Cleartext Editions; checked against the 1928 scan. Includes 15B, 22B–C, and 48A–D. Scholarly footnotes are not reproduced. This reading edition lightly modernizes historical English; source wording remains available.