The Essenes: Manaemus and Herod

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The Essenes: Manaemus and Herod

From Josephus; "Antiquities of the Jews" 15, 371-9

Among those spared from being forced [to take a loyalty oath to Herod] were those we call Essenes . . . . It is worth saying what caused [Herod] to honor the Essenes. There was a certain Essene whose name was Manaemus . . . . This man once saw Herod when the latter, still a boy, was on the way to his teacher's house, and addressed him as 'King of the Jews.' Herod thought he was ignorant or joking and reminded him that he was a private citizen. But Manaemus smiled gently and tapped him with his hand on the rump, saying: 'But indeed you will be king and you will rule happily, for you have been found worthy by God.'

[Translation from "The Essenes According to Classical Sources" (1989)]

Another Source provided by E-mail to TOV Research

Antiques, Book 15, Chapter 10, Section 5:

Menahem the Essene, seeing Herod when he was a child going to school, saluted him as king of the Jews. He prophesies that Herod will reign thirty or more years and that he will "excel all men in happiness and obtain an everlasting reputation, but will forget piety and righteousness." Joseph concludes the section by writing, "...many of these Essenes have, by their excellent virtue, been thought worthy of this knowledge of divine revelation."

We thank TWVOLCK for providing the second source.

Another Source provided by E-mail to TOV Research

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