Martin G Abegg James E Bowley Edward M Cook

The Dead Sea Scrolls, primarily consisting of ancient Jewish manuscripts found in caves near the Dead Sea, date from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. These texts include the oldest known copies of biblical books, as well as deuterocanonical and previously unknown extrabiblical writings. Their discovery sheds significant light on the development of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity, and their relationship to existing Jewish traditions.

The scrolls were unearthed between 1946 and 1956 in caves near Qumran. Most are written in Hebrew, with some in Aramaic and a few in Greek, primarily on parchment. The collection comprises nearly a thousand manuscripts, many of which are fragmented. The identified texts generally fall into three categories: canonical Hebrew scriptures, non-canonical Second Temple period works, and sectarian documents detailing the beliefs and practices of specific Jewish groups. The ownership and custody of the scrolls remain a subject of dispute.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, also known as the Qumran Caves Scrolls, are a collection of ancient Jewish manuscripts originating from the Second Temple period. They were discovered over a decade, from 1946 to 1956, in caves situated near Ein Feshkha on the northern shore of the Dead Sea. These texts, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, represent the earliest surviving manuscripts of books later incorporated into Jewish and Christian biblical canons. The collection also includes deuterocanonical works from late Second Temple Judaism and previously unknown extrabiblical texts. These findings provide crucial insights into the origins of Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity and their connections to earlier Jewish religious traditions. In a broader sense, the term 'Dead Sea Scrolls' can encompass similar findings from the wider Judaean Desert.

The approximately 981 manuscripts discovered are written predominantly in Hebrew, with significant portions in Aramaic and a few in Greek, primarily on parchment, though some are on papyrus and one on copper. Scholarly analysis categorizes the identified texts into three main groups: about 40% are copies of canonical Hebrew scriptures; roughly 30% are Second Temple period texts not included in the Hebrew Bible, such as the Book of Enoch; and the remaining 30% are sectarian manuscripts, offering details on the rules and beliefs of specific Jewish groups, like the Community Rule and the War Scroll. These documents are invaluable for understanding the diversity of Jewish thought and practice during the Second Temple era and the formative periods of Judaism and Christianity.

The initial discovery of seven scrolls in jars within a cave occurred between late 1946 and early 1947 by Bedouin shepherds. Subsequent searches, aided by archaeologists and facilitated by the Jordanian government, led to the identification of 11 caves near Qumran by 1956, yielding thousands of fragments and numerous manuscripts. While many scholars associate the scrolls with the Essenes, an ancient Jewish sect, alternative interpretations suggest they may have been written by priests in Jerusalem or other Jewish groups. The extensive publication of these findings in the 40-volume series 'Discoveries in the Judaean Desert' has been instrumental in their scholarly study and dissemination.