ESSENES (Gr. Essenoi or Essaioi). A sect of reportedly 4,000 Jews in Palestine during the time of Christ, but not mentioned in the NT.

The Essenes lived a simple life of sharing everything in common. They practiced strict rules of conduct and were mostly unmarried.

The majority of them lived together in settlements, but some resided in cities. Apparently they kept their ranks filled by the adoption of other people's children.

They did not participate in the temple worship but had their own purification rites.

They observed the Sabbath day very strictly and greatly venerated Moses.

They would take no oaths; but new members, after going through a three-year probationary period, were required to swear a series of strong oaths that they would cooperate in every way with the organization and would never reveal to outsiders any of the affairs or beliefs of the sect.

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