Essenes

Members of a group of ancient Jewish ascetic communities. These communities are called "ascetic" because their members practiced rigorous self-denial. They existed from the time of the Hasmonean revolt (167–164 B.C.E.) to the Jewish wars (66–74 C.E.). For centuries the only information on the Essenes came from ancient writers, such as Philo, Josephus, and Pliny the Elder. In the mid-20th century a library of scrolls was unearthed at Qumran. These scrolls are known colloquially as the DEAD SEA SCROLLS. Despite some differences in teaching, most scholars believe that these scrolls represent the library of an ancient Essene community. The Essenes formed ascetic communities to which only males could fully belong. On entering the community, an Essene gave up his private property and adopted a way of life that was strictly regulated. He gave much attention to maintaining purity. Sources differ on whether Essenes accepted a RESURRECTION of the body, but they clearly believed in the immortality of the soul (see SOUL, CONCEPTS OF). They were also famous for being able to predict the future. Some have tried to connect the Essenes with John the Baptist and JESUS. This seems unlikely. If the Essenes infl uenced rabbinic JUDAISM and emergent CHRISTIANITY, they probably did so indirectly.