The Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Who Were They?                                                                                                                                                                                  (from Wikipedia.com)

The Essenes  were a sect of Second Temple Judaism that flourished from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD, which some scholars proclaim seceded from the Zadokite priests (a priestly order descended from the first High Priest, Zadok, of the First Temple of Solomon). 

Being much fewer in number than the Pharisees and the Sadducees (the other two major sects at the time), the Essenes lived in various cities but congregated in communal life dedicated to asceticism, voluntary poverty, daily immersion, and abstinence from worldly pleasures, including (for some groups) celibacy. 

Many separate but related religious groups of that era shared similar mystic, eschatological, messianic, and ascetic beliefs. These groups are collectively referred to by various scholars as the "Essenes." Josephus the Historian records that Essenes existed in large numbers, and thousands lived throughout Roman Judæa.

The Essenes have gained fame in modern times as a result of the discovery of an extensive group of religious documents known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are commonly believed to be Essenes' library—although there is no proof that the Essenes wrote them. These documents include preserved multiple copies of the Hebrew Bible untouched from as early as 300 BC until their discovery in 1946 AD. Some scholars, however, dispute the notion that the Essenes wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls. Rachel Elior questions even the existence of the Essenes.   

Where Did They Come From?

According to Josephus, the Essenes had settled "not in one city" but "in large numbers in every town". Philo Judaeus of Alexandria speaks of "more than four thousand" Essaioi living in "Palestine and Syria", more precisely, "in many cities of Judaea and in many villages and grouped in great societies of many members".

Pliny the Elder locates them "on the west side of the Dead Sea, away from the coast… [above] the town of Engeda". Unlike Pliny, Philo did not mention any particular geographical location of the Essenes other than the whole land of Israel.

Ancient locations of Engeda, Qumran
& Jerusalem

Some modern scholars and archaeologists have argued that Essenes inhabited the settlement at Qumran, a plateau in the Judean Desert along the Dead Sea, citing Pliny the Elder in support, and giving credence that the Dead Sea Scrolls are the product of the Essenes. This view, though not yet conclusively proven, has come to dominate the scholarly discussion and public perception of the Essenes.

Josephus' reference to a "gate of the Essenes" in his description of the course of "the most ancient" of the three walls of Jerusalem, in the Mount Zion area, perhaps suggests an Essene community living in this quarter of the city or regularly gathering at this part of the Temple precincts.

What Was Their Purpose?

The accounts by Josephus and Philo show that the Essenes led a strictly communal life – often compared by scholars to later Christian monastic living. According to Josephus, they had customs and observances such as collective ownership, electing a leader to attend to the interests of the group, obedience to the orders from their leader. Also, they were forbidden from swearing oaths and from sacrificing animals. 

They controlled their tempers and served as channels of peace, carrying weapons only for protection against robbers. The Essenes chose not to possess slaves but served each other and, as a result of communal ownership, did not engage in trading. Josephus and Philo provide lengthy accounts of their communal meetings, meals and religious celebrations.

After a total of three years' probation, newly joining members would take an oath that included the commitment to practice piety towards "the Deity" (το θειον) and righteousness towards humanity, to maintain a pure lifestyle, to abstain from criminal and immoral activities, to transmit their rules and to preserve the books of the Essenes and the names of the Angels. Their theology included belief in the immortality of the soul and that they would receive their souls back after death. Part of their activities included purification by water rituals, which was supported by rainwater catchment and storage. Some scholars believe John the Baptist was associated with the Essenes.   

What Happened to the Essenes?

The mystical sect of the Essenes originated about 100 BC and disappeared from history after the destruction of the Second Temple of the Jews in 70 AD. Some theologians believed the entire sect was murdered during the Seige of Jerusalem, which was led by the future Roman emperor, Titus. While the Essenes are not directly mentioned in the holy scripture, some believe they are referred to in Matthew 19:11-12 and Colossians 2:8,18, 23. While some Christian sects believe that Jesus actually studied with the Essenes during his "missing years", there is only speculation as to what really happened to this group of ancient Jews.  

This information has been expanded and can be found at the following links: 

The Essenes and Dead Sea Scrolls - Part 2

The Essenes and Dead Sea Scrolls - Part 3

For more information about the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls, please visit: 

• http://unmyst3.blogspot.com/2008/08/dead-sea-scrolls.html
• http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/sadducees_pharisees_essenes.html
• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/portrait/essenes.html