Engedi 

Engedi is where a religious and highly honored order of the Nazarite brotherhood dwelled. Two members received their spiritual formation here, becoming indispensable leaders in the work of the kingdom. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, and Abner proclaimed Jesus’ message, always striving to stay true to Jesus' teachings.

Engedi (aka Ein Gedi) is referenced in the Old Testament along with the more ancient name of Hazazon-tamar.

Ein Gedi comprises two words from both Arabic and Hebrew: ‘ein’ means spring or a fountain, and ‘gedi’ means a goat-kid, hence “spring of the kid.” It refers to an oasis, an archeological site, and a nature reserve in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea near Masada and the Qumran Caves. Ein Gedi is a popular tourist attraction with about one million visitors annually. In 2016, it was listed as one of Israel's most popular nature sites.

A kibbutz or international community in Israel was founded in 1953, named Ein Gedi, and built beside the ancient Jewish city. Located on the edge of the Judean desert, it was isolated from the nearest Israeli village, several hours away via a dirt road. After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel paved a road from Jerusalem via Jericho and along the shore of the Dead Sea, which allowed for development. In 2022, the kibbutz had a population of 604.

Two early pioneers of the kingdom were John the Baptist and Abner, and both were associated with Engedi. John the Baptist had gone forth from this place, and Abner was the head of a religious sect whose members were regarded as almost equal to that accorded to the high priest.

Engedi was the southern headquarters of the Nazarite brotherhood, where John at age fourteen was inducted. When John turned twenty, he moved to Hebron with his mother, where he tended sheep. A brook led to a larger stream that entered the Dead Sea at Engedi, and he and many other herdsmen fraternized with the Nazarite faithful. As time passed, John spent considerably more time in Engedi. He became very fond of Abner, the acknowledged leader. John had ‘adopted’ Ezda, an orphan lad, who cared for the herds when John made trips to Hebron to see his mother and down to Engedi for Sabbath services.

When John was twenty-eight years of age, his mother passed away. John directed Ezda to drive his herds to Engedi. After the funeral, John went to Engedi and gave his herds to the brotherhood, and for a season went by himself to fast and pray. John remained at Engedi for two and a half years, where he studied sacred writings, influencing many with his teachings. John departed Engedi and began his career in proclaiming the kingdom of God.

Abner and others of the Nazarite community went to join John. Abner chose eleven other men as John’s apostles. After John’s death, Abner joined forces with Jesus. Near the beginning of Jesus’ public work, Jesus and Abner went to Engedi to visit the colony. Abner became the head of Jesus’ seventy disciples, ran the church in Philadelphia, and witnessed the risen Jesus.

John and Abner were faithful disciples of the Nazarites in Engedi and dedicated followers of Jesus. These two major players in the history of Jesus' life shared humble beginnings in this obscure desert place.