What are the Dead Sea Scrolls
The rolls are composed of some 40,000 fragments attached. Of these fragments have been found more than 500 books. It found many books and extra-biblical fragments shed light on the religious community of Qumran. Several of the caves are comments from the Scriptures that are helpful. How were the Dead Sea Scrolls The story of this discovery is one of the most fascinating stories of modern times.In February or March 1947 a Bedouin shepherd whose name was Mohammed was bent on finding a lost goat. He threw a stone into a cave on a hill in the western part of the Dead Sea, about 12 miles south of Jericho. To his surprise, he heard the sound of pottery that are shattered. Upon investigation, he discovered a startling picture. On the floor of the cave were several large jars containing leather scrolls wrapped in linen. Because the vessels were carefully sealed, the scrolls had been preserved in excellent condition for nearly 1,900 years. (They were obviously placed there in 68 AD). Five of the scrolls found in the cave of the Dead Sea, were purchased by the Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Monastery in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, three other scrolls were purchased by Professor Sukenit of the Hebrew University of place. When first discovered the scrolls, they are not publicized.In November 1947, two days after Professor Sukenit purchased three rolls and two vessels from the cave, noted in his diary: “It could be that this was one of the greatest discoveries made in Palestine, a discovery that neither dreamed of. ” But these important words were not published at that time. Fortunately, in February 1948, the archbishop, who could not read Hebrew, he telephoned the American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem and had regard to the rolls. Thanks to the good providence, the warden at that time a young scholar named John Trever, who was also an excellent amateur photographer. Through a hard and dedicated work photographing each column got great Isaiah scroll, which is eight meters long and 25 centimeters tall. He developed the negatives and a few copies sent by airmail to Dr. WFAlbright of Johns Hopkins, who was widely recognized as the dean of biblical archaeologists Americans. By return mail, Albright wrote: “My warmest congratulations on the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times! … What absolutely amazing discovery! And luckily there can be not the slightest doubt in the world about the genuineness of the manuscript. ” The date that he estimated was 100 BC Trever cites some other views of Albright: “There is no doubt in my mind that the writing is more archaic than the Nash Papyrus … I am of the opinion that the date is around 100 BC … ” The value of the Scrolls The oldest manuscripts we had were from 900 AD onwards. How do we ensure its accurate transmission from the time of Christ in the year 32 AD Now we know, thanks to archeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls.One of the scrolls were found was a complete manuscript of the Hebrew text of Isaiah.
