THERE’S NOTHING DEAD ABOUT THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in eleven caves near the Dead Sea between 1947 and 1956 was a major archeological event. Biblical and historical studies have been greatly enlivened by these remarkable scrolls and pieces of scrolls.

Written on papyrus, parchment and one on copper, these scrolls contain fragments or complete scrolls of every book of the Old Testament except Esther. All in all, perhaps as many a 931 scrolls are represented including non-biblical scrolls relating to the group that produced and preserved them.

Biblical scholars are excited by the scrolls because they contain some of the oldest known manuscripts of the Old Testament. One of the most treasured scrolls is the famous Great Isaiah Scroll. It is the only scroll to emerge virtually complete from the caves of Qumran on the northwestern side of the Dead Sea. The Prophet Isaiah was one of the three most popular books in the Jewish religious community of Qumran. Thirty-six copies of the Psalms were found, thirty copies of Deuteronomy were discovered, with twenty-one copies of Isaiah uncovered.

But the Great Isaiah Scroll, dating back to 200 – 150 B.C., contains all of its 66 chapters written on parchment (leather). This scroll, now on display in the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem, is remarkably similar to our current book of Isaiah. It stands as a testimony to the scribes and scholars of the centuries who have faithfully copied the Biblical texts for our benefit.

It is no wonder Biblical studies have been enlivened by these momentous discoveries. There is nothing dead about the Dead Sea Scrolls.