Book SummaryThe Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar, by Ken Johnson

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar

The Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar by Ken Johnson explores the calendar system used by the Essenes, a Jewish sect that lived in Qumran near the Dead Sea. The Essenes believed their calendar was the original one given by God and used by the Jews until the Greeks tried to impose their own calendar. The Essenes' calendar is based on a solar year of 364 days, divided into 52 weeks, with each holiday falling on the same weekday every year. Johnson argues that the Essenes' calendar preserves the original biblical system and provides insight into the historical and theological context of biblical prophecies.

Johnson is a...

The Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar Summary Essene Timekeeping: Structure and Mechanics

In this section, we will examine the structure of the Essenes' calendar and its mechanics.

Core Structure of the Essene Calendar

Johnson explains that the Essene calendar has four seasons, each starting with an equinox or solstice. The Hebrew term "Tekufah" describes these divisions, referencing the solstices of winter and summer and the equinoxes of fall and spring. There are a total of four Tekufahs. The year starts in spring, followed by summer, autumn, and winter. The spring season is marked by the vernal equinox, Tekufah Nisan, which signifies New Year's Day.

(Shortform note: The Hebrew word “Tekufah” is a noun derived from a root meaning “to go around.” In classical Jewish usage, it refers to the completion of a fixed cycle of time. In the context of the Essene calendar, it specifically denotes the four seasonal divisions of the year, each marked by an equinox or solstice.)

Every month is thirty days long. After the spring months conclude, day 91 indicates the solstice of summer, known as Tekufah Tammuz. The following day is both the start of summer and the beginning of Tammuz, the fourth month. After another ninety days...

The Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar Summary Historical Context and Theological Significance

Johnson explains that the scrolls found at Qumran provide insight into the historical and theological context of biblical prophecies. These ancient Jewish texts were discovered in the mid-20th century near the Dead Sea and include biblical manuscripts, sectarian writings, and other documents from the Second Temple period. They contain references to the anointed one and the timing of his coming, which align with the prophecies in Daniel 9. The texts also mention the Melchizedekian priesthood, which is significant in understanding the role of Jesus as the Messiah.

(Shortform note: The Melchizedekian priesthood refers to a unique priestly office modeled after Melchizedek, a mysterious figure in the Hebrew Bible who was both king and priest. In The Scepter and the Star, John J. Collins explains that Second Temple Jewish writers saw Melchizedek as a heavenly high priest who would mediate between God and his people at the end of days.)

In the following sections, we will explore the origins and claims of the calendar of the Essenes, the controversies surrounding it, and the central thesis that it preserves the original biblical...

Shortform Exercise: Understanding the Essene Calendar and Tekufah

Explore the structure of the Essene calendar, focusing on the concept of "Tekufah" and its role in marking seasons and religious observances.

How do the Tekufah points structure the Essene year, and what is their significance?