The Essenes
The Essenes were a Jewish sect that flourished from the second century BCE to the first century CE in Palestine. They were a highly organized group that shared communal property, meals and worship. They were known for their strict discipline and isolation from those who did not practice their way of life. Although this sect is never mentioned in the Bible they were a part of the tapestry that was first century life for Jesus. For those interested in understanding who Jesus was during his earthly life it is necessary to understand who made up the world he lived in. The Essenes were a part of that world.
The Essenes have achieved considerable attention in modern times as a result of the 1947 through 1956 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls commonly believed to be their library. This extensive group of religious documents included multiple copies of the Hebrew Bible along with several other types of writings.
The Essenes were copyists. They produced copies of the Bible to preserve it. They also produced commentaries of the bible. These commentaries were the Essene interpretation of the Bible. This gives the modern day student insight into what the Essenes believed.
Another type of material found among the Dead Sea Scrolls gives us even more insight into who the Essenes were. The writings found were unique to these people and outlined their rules of life and activities of their community. One is often referred to as their prayer book and is called “The Manual of Discipline”. Among other things it includes how an individual joins the community. Another set of writings is referred to as “The War Scroll”. It appears to be a battle plan for a war they believed will occur at the end of the present evil age.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by herdsmen in an area known as Qumran at the northwest corner of the Dead Sea close to Jericho. Excavations have determined Qumran was occupied from the mid-second century BCE until the First Jewish Revolt in 66 CE. The
The Essenes have achieved considerable attention in modern times as a result of the 1947 through 1956 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls commonly believed to be their library. This extensive group of religious documents included multiple copies of the Hebrew Bible along with several other types of writings.
The Essenes were copyists. They produced copies of the Bible to preserve it. They also produced commentaries of the bible. These commentaries were the Essene interpretation of the Bible. This gives the modern day student insight into what the Essenes believed.
Another type of material found among the Dead Sea Scrolls gives us even more insight into who the Essenes were. The writings found were unique to these people and outlined their rules of life and activities of their community. One is often referred to as their prayer book and is called “The Manual of Discipline”. Among other things it includes how an individual joins the community. Another set of writings is referred to as “The War Scroll”. It appears to be a battle plan for a war they believed will occur at the end of the present evil age.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by herdsmen in an area known as Qumran at the northwest corner of the Dead Sea close to Jericho. Excavations have determined Qumran was occupied from the mid-second century BCE until the First Jewish Revolt in 66 CE. The
References: Josephus, Flavius. The Complete Works of Josephus Trans. William Whistom. (Grand Rapids, MI, Kregel Publications 2000) James C VanderKam Herbert Lockyer, Sr. Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville, Tn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers 1986) Bruce M Paul J. Achtemeier, Editor Harper Collins Bible Dictionary (San Francisco, Harper Collins Publishers 1996) Vermes, Geza An Introduction to the Complete Dead Sea Scrolls (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press 1999)