The complexity of ancient Jewish civilization demands multiple analytical lenses, as revealed through three distinct scholarly approaches to Jews and Judaism in antiquity. Lawrence H. Schiffman's analysis of Qumran halakhah demonstrates how sectarian communities interpreted biblical law, particularly Sabbath regulations, through direct scriptural exegesis rather than oral tradition—illuminating the Torah-centered nature of pre-rabbinic Judaism and its legal processes. In contrast, S. Safrai and M. Stern attempt a comprehensive historical synthesis of the "Jewish people" in the first century, integrating political, social, and religious dimensions, though their approach sometimes imposes anachronistic uniformity and privileges rabbinic sources over sectarian diversity. E. Mary Smallwood's political history charts the evolution of Jewish-Roman relations, arguing that the transition from national to religious identity enabled Jewish survival under imperial rule, effectively situating Jewish developments within broader Roman policy. While each methodological approach—whether focusing on religious law, peoplehood, or political relations—contributes valuable scholarly perspectives, researchers must resist methodological tunnel vision. The comparative analysis underscores the necessity of methodological pluralism in understanding the multifaceted nature of ancient Jewish historical experience.