How Should We Read the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the mid-20th century revolutionized biblical studies. These ancient manuscripts, dating from around 250 B.C. to A.D. 70, were found in caves near Qumran and include biblical texts, commentaries, and writings from a Jewish sect that lived during the Second Temple period.
Reading the Dead Sea Scrolls is not as simple as picking up a Bible translation. The scrolls are often fragmented, sometimes reduced to tiny scraps of parchment, and scholars have spent decades carefully reconstructing and interpreting them. To approach these texts well, readers must understand how they are referenced, how translations are presented, and how they fit into the larger biblical and theological story.
1. The Nature of the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls include more than 900 manuscripts. They represent a wide range of material:
Biblical manuscripts – Copies of books from the Hebrew Bible, including some of the oldest known manuscripts of Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and Psalms.
Apocryphal and pseudepigraphal writings – Books such as 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and the Testament of Levi, which were not included in the Hebrew canon but were influential in Jewish thought.
Sectarian texts – Unique writings from the Qumran community, including the Rule of the Community and the War Scroll.
At their best, the scrolls are nearly complete manuscripts. At their worst, they are deteriorated fragments. This variety requires careful reconstruction, much like piecing together an ancient puzzle.
2. Names and References in the Scrolls
Because the scrolls were discovered in multiple caves, scholars developed a system for referencing them.
Naming Conventions
Each scroll reference begins with the cave number, followed by the letter Q for Qumran, and then the manuscript number.
Example: 11Q19 refers to manuscript 19 from Cave 11, commonly called the Temple Scroll.
Superscript letters (a, b, c) mark multiple copies of the same text (e.g., 11QTa for Temple Scroll “a”).
Column and Line References
Like biblical verses, numbering systems were added later to help locate passages. For instance:
11Q19 52:1 – Column 52, line 1 of the Temple Scroll.
4Q542 1i:4–7 – Fragment 1, column i, lines 4–7 of manuscript 542 from Cave 4.
These references help scholars and readers identify where a particular text or fragment comes from.
3. Reading Transcriptions and Translations
The Dead Sea Scrolls often contain gaps, damage, or missing words. Translations and transcriptions use a system of symbols to make this clear.
Common Symbols in DSS Editions
Square brackets [ ] – Reconstructed text not preserved in the manuscript.
Ellipses (…) – Sections where the text is missing.
Vacat – Indicates a deliberate blank space left by the scribe.
Dots or circles above letters – Indicate probability or uncertainty of the reconstructed character.
This system can feel disjointed to modern readers, but it preserves scholarly honesty about what is certain and what is tentative.
Example
A line may read: [The Lord will…] establish his covenant forever. The brackets indicate that “The Lord will” is reconstructed but not preserved in the manuscript.
Understanding these notations helps readers approach the texts with appropriate caution and appreciation.
4. Theological Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Why are the Dead Sea Scrolls important for theology and biblical studies?
Confirmation of the Hebrew Bible
The scrolls contain portions of nearly every Old Testament book, confirming the reliability of the Hebrew Scriptures. For example, the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaᵃ) is nearly complete and closely matches the later Masoretic Text.
Jesus affirmed Scripture’s endurance: “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). The Dead Sea Scrolls bear witness to this truth.
Window into Second Temple Judaism
The scrolls illuminate Jewish thought in the period between the Old and New Testaments.
They show expectations of a coming Messiah, beliefs about angels and demons, and practices of purity and law.
Context for the New Testament
The Qumran community anticipated a teacher of righteousness and a final judgment, themes echoed in the New Testament.
The scrolls help us understand the cultural and theological world in which Jesus and the apostles lived.
5. Practical Guidelines for Reading the Scrolls
Approaching the Dead Sea Scrolls requires patience and perspective.
Key Guidelines
Recognize Their Fragmentary Nature – Many scrolls are damaged, and not every reconstruction is certain.
Pay Attention to Notations – Symbols matter; they show what is original and what is reconstructed.
Understand Their Context – The scrolls belong to Judaism of the Second Temple period, not Christianity, though they shed light on the biblical world.
Read with Scripture as the Anchor – While the DSS provide historical insight, the Bible itself is God’s inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16).
See Christ as Fulfillment – The scrolls highlight Jewish hopes that find their fulfillment in Jesus, who declared, “These are the Scriptures that testify about me” (John 5:39).
Conclusion: Reading the Dead Sea Scrolls with Care and Faith
So how should we read the Dead Sea Scrolls? With care, humility, and appreciation. These texts are ancient witnesses to the faith and struggles of God’s people during a pivotal period of history. They confirm the reliability of the Bible, shed light on the background of the New Testament, and remind us of the continuity of God’s covenant promises.
At the same time, they are fragile, incomplete, and complex. Understanding their naming conventions, notations, and historical context helps us read them responsibly. Most importantly, the scrolls point us back to Scripture, where God has revealed his salvation in Christ.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a treasure, but they are not the treasure itself. They help us see more clearly the riches of God’s word, which endures forever.
