The Essenes Flashcards
What two lifestyles did the Essenes reject?
- The temple and the sacrifices that went on there
- Living in the pagan world, among the Gentiles, and trying to remain ritually pure by sticking to Pharisaical laws
How did the Essenes live?
They withdrew from the world to live in separate communities
Who were the Essenes extremely similar to in effect?
Monks
When was the Essene movement founded?
The second century BCE, after the Maccabean revolt
Who did Essene writings refer to?
A ‘teacher of righteousness’ who opposes a ‘wicked priest’ that had led mainstream Jews astray. This reflects the Essene belief that the temple cult led by the Sadducees had become corrupt
Where were the Essene communities located?
The main ones were out in the Judean desert, far away from corrupt civilisation. However, some lived in cities, presumably in ‘monasteries’ where they could live away from everyone else
The Essenes were ascetics. What does this mean?
They gave up worldly pleasure and held all of their possessions in common
The Essenes were celibate. What does this mean?
They gave up sex; although some Essene groups allowed marraige
What was the Essenes’ view on conflict?
They seem to have been pacifists, but carried weapons to defend themselves from bandits when travelling
What was the Essene practise of baptism?
A ritual of washing away sins; the Essenes seem to have done this daily and preferred to be fully immersed in water
List the reasons why John the Baptist may have been an Essene
- He performed baptisms
- Some think he may have been a rogue Essene leader who started his own cult
- All for gospels describe him as living an ascetic lifestyle out in the desert
Give some reasons for why it is unlikely that John the Baptist was an Essene
He didn’t expect his followers to join a monastery or share in his ascetic lifestyle
What did the Essenes look forward to?
Two messiahs (or perhaps one with two functions). A priestly messiah who would restore pure worship to the Jews; a kingly messiah who would lead a war against the pagans to free the Jews from oppression
What was particularly ironic about Essene beliefs?
They probably viewed themselves as getting back to a ‘pure’ form of Judaism, but their beliefs and practises were probably influenced by Hellenism; as ancient Judaism didn’t believe in celibacy or withdrawal from the world - this instead resembles the cynic philosophy of the Greeks
What happened to the Essenes after the destruction of the temple?
They faded from history; as without the temple cult to oppose, they were no longer relevant. The Romans also seem to have hunted down and destroyed their societies for fear that they were supporting the Zealots
