Michael Owen Wise Martin G Abegg Edward M Cook

The Dead Sea Scrolls, primarily found in caves near Qumran, are a collection of ancient Jewish manuscripts dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. These texts include the oldest known copies of biblical books, deuterocanonical works, and previously unknown sectarian documents. Their discovery sheds light on the development of Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity, as well as the religious landscape of the Second Temple period.

Discovered between 1946 and 1956, the scrolls are predominantly written in Hebrew, with some in Aramaic and Greek, on parchment, papyrus, and one on copper. The collection comprises around 981 manuscripts, with the majority being fragments. While most of the scrolls are held in the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem, their ownership is subject to territorial and legal disputes. The scrolls are broadly categorized into biblical texts, non-canonical Second Temple works, and sectarian documents detailing the beliefs and practices of specific Jewish groups.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed over a decade, from 1946 to 1956, in caves near the ancient settlement of Qumran on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. These manuscripts, dating between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, represent some of the earliest surviving biblical texts, alongside deuterocanonical and extrabiblical writings. The collection consists of approximately 981 distinct manuscripts, though the vast majority are fragmented. The original discoveries were made by Bedouin shepherds, followed by extensive archaeological excavations. The scrolls are primarily written in Hebrew, with some in Aramaic and a few in Greek, and are mostly composed of parchment, with some papyrus and a unique copper scroll.

The Dead Sea Scrolls have profoundly impacted the understanding of Second Temple Judaism and the origins of Christianity. They provide crucial context for the emergence of Rabbinic Judaism and illuminate the diversity of Jewish religious thought during that era. The identified texts are generally divided into three categories: copies of canonical Hebrew scriptures (about 40%), texts from the Second Temple period that were not canonized (about 30%), and previously unknown sectarian documents (about 30%) that reveal the specific rules and beliefs of various Jewish groups. While many scholars have historically associated the scrolls with the Essenes, alternative theories suggest they may have originated from priests in Jerusalem or other Jewish communities.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are largely preserved in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The extensive findings, including thousands of fragments, have been meticulously documented and published in the 40-volume series 'Discoveries in the Judaean Desert.' Despite the poor condition of many fragments, a small number of well-preserved manuscripts have survived. The process of identifying and assembling these texts has been a significant scholarly undertaking, with ongoing research continuing to reveal new insights into the ancient world.