Enoch

In the canonical Genesis genealogy (Genesis 5) Enoch is the seventh antediluvian patriarch, son of Jared and father of Methuselah. Genesis reports that Enoch 'walked with God' and, at age 365, 'was no more; for God took him,' situating him among the antediluvian figures who precede the Flood. Later apocryphal compositions attributed to or about Enoch (the Books of Enoch) and rabbinic/mystical texts narrate his ascent into heaven, his reception of secret knowledge, and his appointment to offices within a celestial administration; some mystical works (notably 3 Enoch in the tradition summarized by the provided sources) go so far as to identify the transformed Enoch with the elevated angelic being Metatron.

The canonical account in Genesis gives no physical description beyond lifespan and the fact that he was 'taken' by God. Apocryphal and mystical writings emphasize transformation and exaltation rather than a single consistent corporeal portrait: summaries of later traditions attribute to the heavenly Enoch (especially where identified with Metatron) an enormous, transfigured state appropriate to an exalted celestial attendant. The provided sources note that apocryphal and rabbinic texts focus on roles and offices in heaven rather than supplying a uniform, detailed physical portrait; where extravagant physical imagery appears in esoteric literature (e.g., descriptions associated with Metatron in 3 Enoch), those details are part of specific apocryphal/mystical corpora rather than the Genesis account.

In Genesis Enoch's defining behavior is that he 'walked with God' and was uniquely 'taken' by God instead of experiencing ordinary death. Apocryphal traditions (as summarized in the sources) expand his functions: he is taught 'all secrets and mysteries' of heaven; appointed guardian of celestial treasures; described as chief among archangels and immediate attendant on God's throne; serves as a heavenly scribe of judgment and executor of divine decrees; and, in some esoteric works (e.g., 3 Enoch), is identified with Metatron, an angelic mediator who communicates God's word. Rabbinic and Sefer Hekalot materials place him in high heavens (Seventh Heaven) where he testifies about terrestrial corruption and demonic activity. Some traditions link him to roles connected with repentance and revelation to nations.