Sectarianism in Qumran: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (Religion and Society 45) (Religion and Society)

The book examines the distinctively sectarian features of the sects represented in the Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran. It also compares their religious and social features with the early Anabaptists, Mennonites, Hutterites and Amish, Puritans, Quakers and Shakers.

Sectarianism in Qumran: A Cross-Cultural Perspective explores the sectarian characteristics of the system of beliefs and laws of the two major Qumran sects of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the yahad and the Damascus Covenant, using theories of sectarianism and related topics in sociology, anthropology and the study of religion. It discusses Qumranic moral and purity boundaries, cultic rituals, wealth, gender, atonement, revelation mysticism, structure and organization and compares them with those of seven sects of the same (introversionist) type: the early Anabaptists, Mennonites, Hutterites and Amish, Puritans, Quakers and Shakers.

The sociological and historical relationship between the Qumran sects and the related movements of 1 Enoch, Jubilees and the Essenes are analyzed in detail, in order to understand the socio-religious background of sectarianism in Qumran and its subsequent variations.

Throughout the chapters, differences between the yahad, the Damascus Covenant and the Essenes are observed in relation to social boundaries, social structure, gender relations, revelation and inclination towards mysticism. Points of resemblance and difference are traced between the Qumran sects and the early-modern Christian ones, and several different patterns of sectarian ideology and behaviour are noticed among all these sects.

Introduction: From Scrolls To Sects -- Sectarian Ideologies And Social Theory : From Separation To Revelation -- Abominated Temple And Moral Community : Purity, Morality And Sectarian Boundaries -- Dynamic Holiness And Pre-sectarianism In The Temple Scroll And Mmt -- Structure, Organization, And The Relationship Between The Yaḥad And The Damascus Covenant -- Enoch And The Origins Of Sectarian Tension -- Jubilees Reform Movement -- The Essenes : An Outgrowth Of The Qumran Movement? -- Comparing Sectarian Rituals And Organizational Patterns -- Gender And Sectarianism : Between Celibacy And Intimacy -- Eliminating The Power Of Wealth -- Mysticism And The Holy Spirit -- Conclusions. Eyal Regev. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [391]-425) And Index.