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What two messiahs did the Qumran community expect at the end of time?
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Aaron
Aaron, detail of a 3rd-century fresco from the synagogue at Doura-Europus, Syria; in the National Museum, Damascus
The Qumran community, which flourished in the era surrounding the birth of Christianity, held an eschatological expectation of two distinct messiahs who would preside over a divinely willed order at the end of time. These figures were not viewed as saviors in the later Christian sense, but rather as ideal leaders.12
The two expected messiahs were:
- The Messiah of Aaron: A priestly messiah from the house of Aaron, the brother of Moses. This figure held the highest position, as evidenced by fragments indicating he would take the first seat at messianic banquets and bless the bread before the other messiah.12
- The Messiah of Israel: A royal messiah from the house of David.2
The community placed significant emphasis on the "sons of Aaron," viewing them as a select group set apart to "administer judgment and wealth" in the final days. This expectation reflected the sect's deep commitment to a strong, purified priesthood and their rejection of the contemporary Temple leadership in Jerusalem.13