The ancient historian Josephus, in History of the Jewish Wars (ca 75 CE) defined three philosophical sects of contemporary Judaism:
Elxai was a prophet of the Essene Occaean sect. He was also accepted by the Nasaraeans and some Ebionites. He was later accepted by the Nazareans who came after him. While Ossaeans had been celibate up to this point in time, Elxai himself was married and, in fact, seems to have reversed this doctrine, since he successfully encouraged marriage within the sect, possibly even insisting on it.
He introduced the oaths to the substances of salt, water, earth, bread, heaven, aether, and wind; with seven “witnesses”: sky, water, holy spirits, angels of prayer, the olive, salt, and earth.
He further taught the rejection of the "false Law of Moses."