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T&T Clark Introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls

T&T Clark Introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls cover

Description

In 1947 a Bedouin shepherd discovered a cave in the Judean wilderness containing ancient scrolls which were older than 2,000 years. In the years to follow ten more caves and hundreds more scrolls were found. What are these scrolls and what significance and value do they have for understanding Judaism and Christianity?

This examination of the Dead Sea Scrolls takes as its primary focus the many perplexing issues and questions to have arisen since their initial discovery in 1947. Concentrating on those scrolls coming from 11 caves in the vicinity of Khirbet Qumran, it addresses their significance for our understanding of the social, cultural, political and religious diversity of the Second Temple period. In doing so, it sheds light upon such topics as: the discovery and publication of the scrolls; their historical and archaeological context; the content of the manuscripts; their relation to biblical texts and known apocryphal/pseudepigraphal literature; the community behind the texts; the relationship with early Christianity; and the modern impact and reception of the discovery within both academia and popular culture.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
1. Discovery and Publication
2. Dating and Context: The Scrolls and Second Temple Judaism
3. Teachers, Temples and Treasures
4. Archaeology, Burial and the Scrolls
5. Beliefs and Practices of the Sectarian Community
6. The History and Identity of the Community
7. Scripture and the Scrolls
8. The Scrolls and Early Christianity
9. Impact and Reception: The Scrolls in Popular Culture
Notes
Further Reading
Index

Product details

Published 22 Sep 2022
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 160
ISBN 9780567413123
Imprint T&T Clark
Dimensions 216 x 138 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Matthew A. Collins

Dr Matthew A. Collins is Senior Lecturer in Hebrew…

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