The ancient library of Qumran

Plot

The discovery of manuscripts and papyri in the Judaean desert has not ceased. Nor have all of the texts which have come to light been published; however, the history of their discovery and much of their content and significance can be described. This is done in this book. In place of the many unbridled speculations that have been spread abroad in certain publications, this volume gives a sober and objective account by a scholar who has taken a leading part in the editing and evaluation of the Qumran texts. The form of the book is shaped by its origin in the Haskell Lectures. Each lecture, after the first chapter recounting the history of the finds, deals with a single, but major area of scroll research. Each records an attempt to achieve in a given area a synthesis, or at least a systematic interepretation of the facts now available. Old and new, published and unpublished data are drawn upon. The text of the lectures has been expanded by very extensive footnoting. The notes are written at two levels: most contain technical discussion, especially at points where unpublished material or unpublished views are alluded to in the text; at the same time a number of explanatory notes are directed to the reader with less background in the field.