Early Babylonian Astronomy and the Duration of the Nychthemeron in 1 En. 72:8-32

The article studies the changing length of the nychthemeron (24h) throughout the schematic year, composed of 12 months, in 1 En. 72:8-32. In previous studies, the division of the combined length of day and night into 18 'parts' was linked with Babylonian schematic astronomy, exemplified by the MUL.APIN compendium. However, scholars did not succeed in demonstrating and explaining the data in 1 Enoch 72, either in relation to cuneiform literature or any other astronomical tradition. The present study argues for early Babylonian astronomy as the proper background for the numerical values in 1 Enoch 72. The discussion entails previous approaches to chapter 72, followed by some notes on tablet BM 17175+17284 and Table C, the latter being part of Tablet XIV of the Enūma Anu Enlil astrological series. The third section of the study sketches literary and thematic links between the two examples of Babylonian schematic astronomy and 1 En. 72:8-32. Thus, the interpretive perspective on the explanation of the Enochic text cannot be limited to the 18 'parts' over against 6 minas in Babylonian sources, but it has to be extended to a larger field of study to be scrutinized in further research.