Notes
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Judaean desert between 1947 and 1956 transformed our understanding of the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism and the origins of Christianity. These extraordinary manuscripts appear to have been hidden in the caves at Quumran by members of the Essene community, a Jewish sect in existence before and during the time of Jesus. Some sixty years after the Scrolls' first discovery, this revised and much expanded edition of The Dead Sea Scrolls in English crowns a lifetime of research by the great Qumran scholar Geza Vermes.
As well as superb translations of all non-biblical texts sufficiently well preserved to be rendered into English, there are also a number of previously unpublished texts, and a new preface.
Since its first publication in 1962, The Dead Sea Scrolls in English has established itself as the standard English translation of the non-Biblical Qumran Scrolls and as giving an astonishing insight to the organization, customs, history and beliefs of the community responsible for them. This seventh edition will contain new material, together with extensive new introductory material and notes.
The manuscripts found in the Qumran caves, dating from about 200 BC to AD 70, are associated with the Essene sect described by several classical authors. Yet despite their immense importance, Geza Vermes argues, scholarly restrictive practices were responsible for 'the academic scandal par excellence of the twentieth century', which until recently kept many key documents hidden from public view." "The Dead Sea Scrolls in English provides reliable, direct access to these fascinating documents. Established as the standard English version of the non-biblical material, is now in its fourth edition and has been extensively expanded and updated to include twenty-six newly translated scroll texts, a recent introduction discussing development in Qumran scholarship and, for the first time a full inventory of all the scrolls made available in 1991. Introductory chapters explain the background and outline the history, customs and beliefs of the sectarian community as well as the significance of their writings. The Dead Sea Scrolls in English acts as an authoritative guide for scholar students and all those interested in ancient Judaism and nascent Christianity.
