Endnote 18 – Was It an Essene Settlement?

“From [his] youth they shall instruct him in the Book of Meditation and shall teach him according to his age … for ten years.” Messianic Rule (1QSa) 1.6–8. See also Temple Scroll (11QT) 62.9–10: “[When an enemy city is captured] … you shall put all males to the sword, but the women, the children … you may take as spoil for yourself.”