Jude 1:14

KJV

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Enoch {G1802} also {G2532}, the seventh {G1442} from {G575} Adam {G76}, prophesied {G4395} of these {G5125}, saying {G3004}, Behold {G2400}, the Lord {G2962} cometh {G2064} with {G1722} ten thousands {G3461} of his {G846} saints {G40},

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, Hanokh, in the seventh generation starting with Adam, also prophesied about these men, saying, “Look! Adonai came with his myriads of holy ones

Berean Standard Bible

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones

American Standard Version

And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jude 1:14 presents a profound and ancient prophecy attributed to Enoch, the seventh patriarch in the lineage from Adam, foretelling the glorious and terrifying return of the Lord. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of divine judgment, powerfully reinforcing Jude's urgent warnings against the ungodly false teachers who had surreptitiously infiltrated the early Christian communities, challenging their doctrines and corrupting their morals.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The Epistle of Jude is a short, urgent letter primarily concerned with defending the purity of the Christian faith against internal threats. Immediately preceding this verse, Jude has been cataloging various historical examples of divine judgment, drawing parallels between the ungodly individuals in his audience and those who suffered God's wrath in the past (e.g., the Israelites in the wilderness, fallen angels, Sodom and Gomorrah). By introducing Enoch's prophecy in [Jude 1:14-15](/jude/1-14-15 "Jude 1:14-15 - Enoch's Prophecy"), Jude shifts from historical precedent to ancient prophecy, demonstrating that the judgment of such impious behavior is not merely a historical pattern but a divinely revealed certainty, foretold from the very dawn of human history. This prophecy provides a climactic and authoritative basis for Jude's denunciations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The first-century Jewish and Christian worlds were familiar with the figure of Enoch, particularly through the widely circulated Book of Enoch (1 Enoch), an apocalyptic text from which Jude directly quotes. While not part of the Hebrew canon, this book was highly influential and respected among many Jewish and early Christian communities, particularly for its insights into eschatology, angels, and divine judgment. Jude's decision to cite this extra-biblical source indicates its recognized authority among his readers, lending significant weight to his argument. The specific mention of Enoch as "the seventh from Adam" highlights his antiquity and connection to the primordial history of humanity, emphasizing the timeless nature of God's righteous judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jude's epistle and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing the absolute certainty and severity of God's wrath against ungodliness and rebellion, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament, such as in [2 Peter 3:7](/2_peter/3-7 "2 Peter 3:7 - The Day of Judgment"). Closely related is the theme of the **Second Coming of Christ**, depicted here as a majestic and overwhelming event where the Lord returns not only for salvation but also for the execution of righteous judgment, a concept foundational to Christian eschatology. Furthermore, the verse highlights **Prophetic Authority**, validating Jude's warnings by grounding them in an ancient, divinely inspired utterance. Finally, the mention of "ten thousands of his saints" introduces the theme of the **Company of the Redeemed/Angelic Hosts** accompanying Christ in His final triumph, underscoring the glorious and powerful nature of His return, as seen in passages like [Matthew 25:31](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31 - The Son of Man's Glory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Enoch (Greek, _Enṓch'_):** This refers to the antediluvian patriarch, son of Jared and father of Methuselah, famously known for walking with God and being taken by Him without experiencing death (as recorded in [Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Genesis 5:24 - Enoch's Walk with God")). Jude's specific mention of him as "the seventh from Adam" underscores his ancient lineage and unique position in early human history, lending significant weight and antiquity to his prophecy.
* **prophesied (Greek, _prophēteúō'_):** Derived from the word for "prophet," this verb signifies speaking under divine inspiration, foretelling future events, or exercising the prophetic office. By stating that Enoch "prophesied," Jude affirms the divine origin and authoritative nature of Enoch's utterance, establishing it as a genuine word from God concerning future judgment, despite its origin in an extra-biblical text.
* **saints (Greek, _hágios'_):** This term denotes those who are sacred, consecrated, or set apart for God. It can refer to holy ones, whether angels or redeemed human beings. In the context of the Lord's return, "saints" encompasses the vast multitude of heavenly beings and/or glorified believers who will accompany Christ in His glorious advent, signifying the purity, power, and righteousness of His entourage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam,"**: This clause identifies the prophet, Enoch, and establishes his ancient lineage. The phrase "the seventh from Adam" is significant, not merely as a genealogical marker, but as an indicator of his unique position in early human history, implying a direct connection to the origins of humanity and the earliest divine revelations. It emphasizes the antiquity and therefore the enduring relevance of his prophecy.
* **"prophesied of these, saying,"**: This segment asserts Enoch's prophetic activity and introduces the content of his divine utterance. "Of these" refers to the ungodly individuals Jude has been condemning throughout the epistle, indicating that Enoch's ancient prophecy directly addresses the very behaviors and judgments relevant to Jude's contemporary audience. The phrase "saying" introduces the direct quotation that follows.
* **"Behold, the Lord cometh"**: This is the core of Enoch's prophecy, a dramatic declaration of the Lord's imminent arrival. "Behold" (Greek: _idoú_) is an imperative, drawing immediate attention to a momentous event. "The Lord" (Greek: _kýrios_) refers to God, specifically Jesus Christ in the New Testament context, whose return is depicted as a powerful, undeniable advent. The present tense "cometh" (Greek: _érchomai_) emphasizes the certainty and nearness of this future event, as if it is already unfolding.
* **"with ten thousands of his saints,"**: This final clause describes the glorious and awe-inspiring retinue accompanying the Lord. "Ten thousands" (Greek: _myriás_) literally means "myriads," signifying an innumerable, vast multitude. These "saints" (Greek: _hágios_) are the holy ones, whether referring to the angelic hosts or the resurrected and glorified believers who will accompany Christ in His triumphant return, underscoring the overwhelming power and majesty of His coming.

#### Literary Devices
Jude 1:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Prophecy** is the overarching device, presenting Enoch's ancient utterance as a direct, divinely inspired foretelling of future events, lending an undeniable authority to Jude's warnings. The use of **Hyperbole** is evident in "ten thousands of his saints," which, while literally meaning "myriads," functions to convey an overwhelming, countless multitude, emphasizing the immense power and glory of the Lord's coming. The phrase "Behold" acts as an **Exclamatory Interjection**, immediately drawing the reader's attention and creating a sense of urgency and dramatic anticipation for the Lord's arrival. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Allusion** by referencing Enoch, a figure well-known in both biblical and intertestamental literature, thereby tapping into a shared cultural and religious understanding among Jude's audience to reinforce his message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jude 1:14 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering certainty of divine judgment and the glorious return of Christ. The prophecy from Enoch, delivered millennia before Christ's first advent, underscores the timeless nature of God's justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all creation. It reveals that the Lord's coming is not merely for salvation but also for righteous reckoning, bringing with Him an innumerable host to execute judgment upon all ungodliness. This ancient word serves as a profound warning to those who would pervert grace into license for immorality and deny the Lord, while simultaneously offering immense comfort and assurance to believers that justice will ultimately prevail and righteousness will be vindicated.

* [Deuteronomy 33:2](/deuteronomy/33-2 "The Lord came from Sinai")
* [Zechariah 14:5](/zechariah/14-5 "The Lord will come with all His saints")
* [Matthew 25:31](/matthew/25-31 "The Son of Man's Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jude 1:14 serves as a stark reminder that history is moving towards a definitive culmination, a day when the Lord will return in overwhelming power and glory, accompanied by His holy ones, to execute judgment. This truth should profoundly shape our lives. For those who are tempted to compromise their faith, indulge in ungodliness, or twist the grace of God into an excuse for sin, Enoch's prophecy is a solemn warning: there will be an inescapable day of reckoning where every deed, word, and motive will be laid bare before the righteous Judge. For believers, this prophecy is a source of immense hope and motivation. It assures us that despite the prevalence of evil and the challenges to our faith, God's justice will ultimately triumph. It calls us to live lives of holiness, to contend earnestly for the faith, and to eagerly anticipate the glorious appearing of our Lord, knowing that our vindication and eternal reward are secure in His coming. This prophecy compels us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we are living in a manner consistent with the expectation of His imminent return.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of Christ's return for judgment impact my daily choices and priorities?**
* **In what ways am I actively "contending for the faith" in my sphere of influence, in light of the warnings against ungodliness?**
* **What comfort and hope do I draw from the promise that the Lord will return with "ten thousands of his saints" to establish His righteous reign?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jude quote from the Book of Enoch, an extra-biblical text?**

Answer: Jude's quotation from the Book of Enoch (specifically 1 Enoch 1:9) highlights the common practice in the first century of drawing upon widely recognized and respected Jewish apocalyptic literature, even if not part of the Hebrew canon. While the Book of Enoch is not considered canonical Scripture, its prophecy concerning the Lord's coming in judgment was apparently accepted by Jude's audience as a true utterance, conveying divine truth. Jude's purpose in quoting it was not to canonize the entire book but to validate a specific prophecy that powerfully underscored his message about divine judgment against the ungodly, demonstrating that the certainty of such judgment was an ancient and well-established truth, foretold from the earliest days of humanity. This is similar to how Paul quotes pagan poets in [Acts 17:28](/acts/17-28 "Acts 17:28 - Paul's Areopagus Speech") to make a point, without endorsing their entire philosophy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jude 1:14, with its ancient prophecy of the Lord's coming with "ten thousands of his saints," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Enoch's prophecy spoke generally of "the Lord," the New Testament unequivocally identifies this coming Lord as Jesus, who will return in power and glory, not merely as a savior, but as a righteous judge. His first advent was in humility to redeem humanity from sin, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant"), but His second advent, as described here, will be in majestic authority to complete the work of salvation and execute final judgment. The "ten thousands of his saints" accompanying Him are understood to include the angelic hosts, as seen in [Matthew 25:31](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31 - The Son of Man's Glory"), and also the redeemed believers who will return with Him, as indicated in [1 Thessalonians 4:14](/1_thessalonians/4-14 "1 Thessalonians 4:14 - Believers Returning with Jesus"). Thus, Enoch's ancient vision of a coming divine reckoning culminates in the glorious return of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who became the Lion of Judah, to establish His eternal kingdom and bring perfect justice to the world, fulfilling every prophetic utterance concerning His sovereign reign, as described in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 33:2

And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

Psalms 50:3

Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Psalms 50:5

Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2 Thessalonians 1:7

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

2 Thessalonians 1:8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: