Guide
Essenes and Qumran
By Carol Bakhos
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Lifestyle and Beliefs
The Essenes, who are native Jews, are particularly known for their high-minded discipline, and they are a closer-knit community than the others. They…
Primary Source
The Essene Settlement West of the Dead Sea
On the west side of the Dead Sea, but out of range of the noxious exhalations of the coast, is the solitary tribe of the Essenes, which is remarkable beyond all the other tribes in the whole world, as…
Primary Source
Simplicity, Pacifism, and Virtue
Palestinian Syria, too, has not failed to produce high moral excellence. In this country live a considerable part of the very populous nation of the Jews, including as it is said, certain persons…
Primary Source
The Rule of the Community
[ . . . ] All those who submit freely to his truth will convey all their knowledge, their strength, and their property to the Community of…
Primary Source
The Damascus Document
And now, listen, all those who know justice, and understand the actions of God; for he has a dispute with all flesh and will carry out…
Primary Source
The Temple Scroll
[And on the four]teenth day of the first month, [at twilight,] they [will celebrate] [the Passover of yhwh] and they will perform sacrifice…