You are hereHomeBARSeptember/October 1994Was It an Essene Settlement? Essenes show their love of God by rejection of oaths, Philo, Quod omnis probus liber sit 84; and see Josephus, War 2.135: Every word they speak is stronger than an oath and they refrain from swearing, considering it worse than perjury. Join the BAS Library! Already a library member? Log in here. Institution user? Log in with your IP address.