As was mentioned at the outset, the purpose of this study has been to provide a commentary on Josephus' description of the Essenes wherein the relevant passages from the Dead Sea Scrolls are compared with Josephus' text. With the commentary now complete, it remains to summarize the parallels and discrepancies found between Josephus' description and the scrolls, and briefly to consider the reliability of Josephus' account. The parallels and discrepancies between Josephus and Qumran will be summarized in four categories: parallels between Josephus and Qumran; probable parallels between Josephus and Qumran (where some problems of correlation still remain); statements made by Josephus with no known Qumran parallel; and apparent discrepancies between Josephus and Qumran.

Parallels between Josephus and Qumran

The following sections in Josephus' description of the Essenes are closely paralleled in Qumran literature. For further discussion of the Qumran parallels, see the appropriate section in the commentary.

1. Jews by birth (J.W. 2 §119). 1QS 6:13–14.

2. More mutual affection (J. W. 2 §119); each one gives what he has to one in need (J.W. 2 §127). 1QS 1:9; 2:24–5; CD 6:20–7:1.

3. They turn aside from pleasures as an evil (J. W. 2 §120); self-control (J.W. 2 §120). 1QS 4:9–11.

4. They despise riches (J. W. 2 §122). 1QS 9:21–4; 10:18–19; 11:1–2.

5. They replace neither clothing nor sandals (J. W. 2 §126). 1QS 7:13–14.

6. Girding themselves with linen wraps, they bathe their bodies (J. W. 2 §129). (Both Josephus and Qumran speak of purificatory washings.) 1QS 3:4–5; 5:13–14.

7. […]