“Ḥanokh walked with God, and he was no longer, as God took him” (Genesis 5:24). “Ḥanokh walked with God, and he was no longer, as God took him,” Rabbi Ḥama bar Hoshaya said: He is not written in the ledger of the righteous, but rather, in the ledger of the wicked.1Rabbi Ḥama interprets the verse to be saying that initially, Ḥanokh walked with God, but did so no longer. Rabbi Aivu said: Ḥanokh was capricious; sometimes righteous, sometimes wicked.
The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘While he is still in his righteousness, I will take him away.’ Rabbi Aivu said: On Rosh Hashanah he judged him, when he judges all mankind. Heretics once asked Rabbi Abahu, saying to him: ‘We do not find death mentioned in regard to Ḥanokh.’ He said to them: ‘Why?’2Does not “God took him” mean that he died?
They said: ‘Taking is stated here, and taking is stated elsewhere: “That today the Lord is taking your master3Elijah. from upon your head”’ (II Kings 2:5).4Just as Elijah did not die, so, too, Ḥanokh did not die. He said to them: ‘If it is [the word] taking that you are expounding, taking is stated here, and taking is stated elsewhere: “Behold, I am taking from you the delight of your eyes”’ (Ezekiel 24:16).5Referring to Ezekiel’s wife, who subsequently died.
Rabbi Tanḥuma said: Rabbi Abahu answered them well. A noblewoman once asked Rabbi Yosei, saying to him: ‘We do not find death mentioned in regard to Ḥanokh.’ He said to her: ‘Had it said: “Ḥanokh walked with God” and then remained silent, I would have said as you said. When it says: “And he was no longer, as God took him,” he was no longer in this world, as God took him.’