With only precious seasonal water, the Essenes reputedly made the barren landscape into a fertile garden, including the rarest herbs for healing.

Recently scholars have questioned whether the famous baths at Qumran were used for a baptism ritual or simply ritual purification, like ‘Jewish practice generally.’  Did Jews generally use walk-in baths ritually ?

Many experts have believed John the Baptist, undoubtedly an historical figure, was connected with the Essenes. This passage from the Essenes’ Community Rule suggests an early version of Christian baptism in general and John’s baptism of Christ in particular :

‘he shall .. be cleansed by purifying waters, … sanctified by rivers and seas, … washed clean by ablution … He shall be cleansed of all his sins by the spirit of holiness … And when his flesh is sprinkled by purifying water, and sanctified by cleansing water, it shall be made clean by the humble submission of his soul to all the precepts of God.’


More extensive Notes on the Dead Sea Scrolls