The Dead Sea Scrolls: Source, Authors, and Content



 The Dead Sea Scrolls: Source, Authors, and Content

By Almog Arad, April 2024

Introduction

The Dead Sea Scrolls, also known as the Qumran Scrolls, are among the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. This collection, consisting of about 900 documents found in caves near Qumran in the Judean Desert, includes biblical texts, other religious writings, and secular documents. The scrolls provide a rare glimpse into Jewish life during the Second Temple period and offer rich insights into the development of religious and social thought among the Jewish people during that era.

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When Were the Scrolls Written?

An example of one of the scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls were written between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE. Scholars estimate that the writing began around 250 BCE and continued until 68 CE, when the Qumran area was destroyed during the Great Revolt against the Romans (Schiffman, 1994; Collins, 2013).

 By Whom Were the Scrolls Written?

The prevailing scholarly consensus is that the scrolls were written by a sectarian Jewish community residing in Qumran, commonly identified with the Essenes. The Qumran-Essene theory, a leading hypothesis, posits that the Essenes were an isolated group that lived austere lives according to their own strict laws and regulations, separate from mainstream Jewish society (Vermes, 2012). However, alternative theories exist, such as those proposed by Gershom Scholem, suggesting that the authors might have been other Jewish groups, like the Sadducees or even the Pharisees (Schiffman, 1994).

Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Background to the Discovery


In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd named Muhammad edh-Dhib discovered the first scrolls in a cave near Khirbet Qumran in the Judean Desert. He stumbled upon the scrolls while searching for a stray goat. Initially, Muhammad and his friends did not realize the importance of their find and sold the scrolls to an antiquities dealer in Bethlehem (Flint & VanderKam, 2002).

Further Discovery and Research

After the initial discovery, an extensive search for additional caves in the Qumran area began. Between 1947 and 1956, eleven more caves were found, containing hundreds of scrolls and fragments. These scrolls were acquired by various research institutions, including the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem and Cairo University (Schiffman, 1994).

Academic Involvement

Inside cave number 1
Following the discovery, researchers from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East began deciphering and publishing the texts. The first group of scholars included archaeologists, philologists, and experts on ancient texts who collaborated to preserve, study, and publish the scrolls. Notable researchers included John C. Trever, an American archaeologist who photographed the first scrolls, and Eliezer L. Sukenik of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Trever, 1965).

What is Written in the Scrolls?

Biblical Texts

Many of the scrolls contain passages from the Bible, including the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. Almost all books of the Bible, except the Book of Esther, have been found, underscoring the Bible's centrality in community life (Tov, 2001).

Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphical Writings

The scrolls also include apocryphal and pseudepigraphical texts, which are religious writings not included in the biblical canon. Examples are the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees, which provide unique perspectives on creation, angels, and ancient human history (Collins, 2013).

Communitarian Texts

In addition, the scrolls feature writings detailing community life, laws, and regulations of the Qumran community. For instance, the Serech HaYahad (Community Rule) describes the lifestyles, obligations, and strict laws governing the members (VanderKam, 1995).

Prayers and Hymns

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There are also numerous texts containing prayers and hymns, reflecting the spiritual depth and religiosity of the community. These texts offer insight into the importance of prayer in the daily lives of the Qumran people (Vermes, 2012).

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Reading the Scrolls Today

The Dead Sea Scrolls present a unique linguistic challenge for scholars and researchers. Although most scrolls are written in Hebrew, significant texts are also in Aramaic and Greek. While modern Hebrew speakers (In fact, almost every Israeli living today) might feel confident in their ability to read the scrolls, the ancient Hebrew dialects and stylistic nuances require a specialized understanding of the language as it was used thousands of years ago. Linguists and historians have worked diligently to decode many of the scrolls, revealing invaluable information and insights contained within these ancient documents. The complexities involved in translating and interpreting the Dead Sea Scrolls highlight the necessity of employing rigorous academic expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration to fully uncover the treasures hidden in these remarkable historical artifacts.

One of the caves

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 Summary

The Dead Sea Scrolls are a remarkable treasure trove that sheds critical light on Judaism during the pivotal Second Temple period. These ancient documents provide invaluable insights into the religious writings, community dynamics, and spiritual worldviews of the Jewish people of that time. Ongoing research continues to uncover new discoveries and interpretations that significantly impact our understanding of this formative era in Jewish religious and cultural history. While the scrolls undoubtedly represent a transformative archaeological and scholarly find, their interpretation demands a cautious, evidence-based approach to avoid drawing premature or potentially misleading conclusions about this complex and multifaceted aspect of the Jewish past.


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Sources

1. Collins, J. J. (2013). *The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Biography*. Princeton University Press.

2. Schiffman, L. H. (1994). *Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scrolls: The History of Judaism, the Background of Christianity, the Lost Library of Qumran*. Doubleday.

3. Tov, E. (2001). *Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible*. Fortress Press.

4. VanderKam, J. C. (1995). *The Dead Sea Scrolls Today*. Eerdmans.

5. Vermes, G. (2012). *The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English*. Penguin Classics.

6. Flint, P. W., & VanderKam, J. C. (2002). *The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Their Significance For Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus, and Christianity*. HarperOne.

7. Trever, J. C. (1965). *The Untold Story of Qumran*. Westwood.

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