1 Enoch, The Book of Watchers

New Translation

By: Pinchas Shir

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The First Book of Enoch (Ethiopian Enoch), or "The Book of Watchers," is a well-known Jewish composition from the Second Temple era. It’s a tale of a seer’s heavenly journey, fallen angels, giants, and visions of God’s throne, now in a new translation. But don’t read Enoch in the archaic language that mimics the most popular Bible of the bygone era. This new translation presents the ancient text in modern, easy-to-read English. The primary goal of this edition was to produce an English text of Enoch that is accessible to an average modern reader, intelligible, and aesthetically enjoyable. Since most Enoch scholars agree that the text was originally written in Aramaic or Hebrew, this new translation is culturally nuanced, aiming to create the sense that one is reading a Semitic book. At times, the translation will use the Hebrew vernacular alongside English to reinforce this feeling. So enjoy this rendition of Enoch, which can now be listened to as well as read, precisely the way most ancient audiences would have experienced it.

Ai narrator

There’s just something about hearing ai read that takes away from the book. It doesn’t sound bad but there’s no connection. Not to mention jobs lost.

Great Study

This book provided details that filled in spaces that were not included in the Bible stories.

The story was very interesting and the updated translation makes it easier to understand.

I can assume the AI generated narration was for cost-effectivness but it lacks the nuanced emotional depth storytelling people have. Although it being a free version, this is a nitpickrather than any serous critique.