Speak His Word Only

When 1 Enoch 8 describes the forbidden teachings introduced by the Watchers, Armaros —whose name appears in different forms across manuscripts and translations—is associated with the resolving or undoing of enchantments . This is an important distinction: the surviving textual tradition is commonly understood as saying not simply that he “taught enchantments,” but that he taught how enchantments could be resolved or counteracted . Below is an original English exposition informed by the Ethiopic/Geʽez tradition, not copied from a modern translation. 1. Armaros belongs to the Watchers tradition In 1 Enoch, the Watchers do more than descend and take women. They introduce various forms of knowledge that the narrative presents as improperly revealed to humanity . Different Watchers become associated with different teachings. Azazel is associated with weapons and adornment. Others are associated with celestial observations, signs, sorcery, roots, and related secret knowledge. Armaros is ass...