A member of an ancient Jewish sect that lived during the Second Temple period, known for communal living and strict religious practices.
From Greek Essaioi or Essenes, ultimate origin possibly from Hebrew hasidim (the pious) or Aramaic. The name came to English through classical and religious historical texts.
The Dead Sea Scrolls proved Essenes were real and not just Josephus's stories—and some scholars think they might have influenced early Christianity, making them historically crucial!
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