Robert H Eisenman Michael Owen Wise

Discovered between 1946 and 1956 in caves near the Dead Sea, the Dead Sea Scrolls 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, along with deuterocanonical works and previously unknown sectarian documents. They provide crucial information for understanding the development of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity, as well as their connection to existing Jewish religious traditions.

Most of the approximately 15,000 scrolls and fragments are now housed in Jerusalem. The discovery process involved Bedouin shepherds and archaeologists, with significant finds made in 11 caves near the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran. The scrolls are primarily written in Hebrew, with some in Aramaic and a few in Greek, mostly on parchment, papyrus, and one on copper. The content falls into three main categories: canonical Hebrew scriptures, non-canonical Second Temple period texts, and sectarian documents detailing the beliefs and practices of specific Jewish groups.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, also known as the Qumran Caves Scrolls, were unearthed over a decade, from 1946 to 1956, in caves near the Dead Sea. These ancient Jewish manuscripts originate from the Second Temple period, with dates ranging from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. They represent some of the earliest surviving manuscripts of books that would later be included in Jewish and Christian biblical canons. The collection also contains deuterocanonical texts from late Second Temple Judaism and other extrabiblical writings. Their existence sheds significant light on the formative stages of Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity, as well as their intricate relationship with earlier Jewish religious traditions. In a broader sense, the term "Dead Sea Scrolls" can also encompass similar discoveries from the wider Judaean Desert, sometimes referred to as Judaean Desert scrolls, some of which date from later periods.

The Dead Sea Scrolls comprise approximately 981 distinct manuscripts, found in 11 caves near the Hellenistic Jewish settlement at Khirbet Qumran. The majority of these texts are written in Hebrew, with a portion in Aramaic and a few in Greek. Materials used include parchment, papyrus, and one notable scroll made of copper. The identified texts are categorized into three primary groups: around 40% are copies of canonical Hebrew scriptures, approximately 30% are texts from the Second Temple period not included in the Hebrew Bible (such as the Book of Enoch), and the remaining 30% are sectarian manuscripts detailing the rules and beliefs of specific Jewish groups, like the Community Rule and the War Scroll. These sectarian texts offer unique insights into the diversity of Jewish thought and practice during that era.

The initial discovery of seven scrolls in jars by Bedouin shepherds between 1946 and 1947 led to a complex series of transactions involving local dealers and eventually scholars from the American Schools of Oriental Research. The discovery of further scrolls continued through the 1950s, with archaeologists and Bedouins independently searching the area. The Israeli government currently holds custody of most of the scrolls, a situation disputed by Jordan and the Palestinian Authority on territorial, legal, and humanitarian grounds. Israel bases its claims on historical and religious significance. The vast majority of the scrolls and fragments, totaling around 15,000, are preserved in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.