Dictionaries :: Essenes

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Essenes:

a Jewish mystical sect somewhat resembling the Pharisees. They affected great purity. They originated about B.C. 100, and disappeared from history after the destruction of Jerusalem. They are not directly mentioned in Scripture, although they may be referred to in Mat 19:11, 12, Col 2:8, 18, 23.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Essenes:

a Jewish sect, who, according to the description of Josephus, combined the ascetic virtues of the Pythagoreans and Stoics with a spiritual knowledge of the divine law. It seems probable that the name signifies seer, or the silent, the mysterious. As a sect the Essenes were distinguished by an aspiration after ideal purity rather than by any special code of doctrines. There were isolated communities of Essenes, which were regulated by strict rules, analogous to those of the monastic institutions of a later date. All things were held in common, without distinction of property; and special provision was made for the relief of the poor. Self‐denial, temperance and labor-especially agriculture- were the marks of the outward life of the Essenes; purity and divine communion the objects of their aspiration. Slavery, war and commerce were alike forbidden. Their best‐known settlements were on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea.