The Priest at the Head of the Community

Damascus Document 14:3–8

2nd Century BCE–1st Century CE

3Rule of the assembly of all the camps. All of them shall be enlisted by their names: the priests first, 4the levites second, the children of Israel third, and the proselyte fourth; and they shall be inscribed by their [na]mes, 5each one after his brother; the priests first, the levites second, the children of Israel 6third and the proselyte fourth…

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This passage, from the Dead Sea Scrolls, illustrates the leading position of priests in the hierarchy of the Qumran community, here called the “Many.” One learned priest between thirty and sixty years old is to serve as the head of the community.

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