When Were the Dead Sea Scrolls Found?
1. Introduction: A Discovery that Changed History
The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. They are not simply old manuscripts tucked away in jars—they are a time machine to the past, illuminating the world of ancient Judaism and the formation of the Scriptures we still read today. But before exploring what they contain, it is worth asking: When were the Dead Sea Scrolls found, and how did this discovery unfold?
The story begins in 1947, when a Bedouin shepherd stumbled upon a cave in the Judean wilderness. What he found—seemingly ordinary jars filled with ancient scrolls—was nothing short of extraordinary. Over the next decade, between 1947 and 1956, eleven caves near Qumran were discovered, yielding hundreds of manuscripts that date back centuries before Christ. Later excavations at other sites in the Dead Sea region added to the collection, making the discovery not a single moment but an unfolding event.
2. The First Discovery in 1947
The first Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in early 1947 by a Bedouin goatherd named Muhammad adh-Dhib, whose nickname, “Muhammad the Wolf,” has become part of the scrolls’ lore. While searching for a stray goat, he threw a stone into a cave near Wadi Qumran. Instead of hearing the hollow echo of rock against stone, he heard the shattering of pottery. Investigating further, he found jars that contained ancient scrolls wrapped in linen.
Among these initial scrolls were copies of the book of Isaiah, a commentary on Habakkuk, and the Manual of Discipline, or Community Rule. Word of the discovery spread quickly, and soon scholars realized they were handling documents over two thousand years old. This moment in 1947 marks the beginning of modern Dead Sea Scrolls research.
3. Expansion of Discoveries (1947–1956)
The first cave at Qumran opened the floodgates. Between 1947 and 1956, archaeologists and Bedouins located eleven caves in the vicinity of Khirbet Qumran, each containing scrolls or fragments. The finds varied: some caves yielded entire scrolls, such as the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaiah), while others contained only scraps of parchment and papyrus.
The manuscripts, written mainly in Hebrew but also in Aramaic and Greek, included:
Biblical books from nearly every book of the Old Testament.
Sectarian texts describing the life and rules of a community.
Apocryphal and pseudepigraphal writings that expanded on biblical stories.
Each cave added new layers of understanding to the collection, showing not just one deposit but a library preserved in fragments.
4. Additional Sites Beyond Qumran
While the caves of Qumran are the most famous, discoveries of manuscripts did not end there. Other sites around the Dead Sea also yielded important scrolls.
Wadi Murabba‘at (1951–52): Here, scrolls dating to the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE) were found, including letters from the rebel leader himself.
Naḥal Ḥever (1951–52; 1960–61): This site produced the famous “Cave of Horrors,” containing biblical scrolls and evidence of Jewish refugees hiding from Roman soldiers.
Masada (1963–65): Excavations at Herod’s fortress produced biblical manuscripts, including a text of Psalms, underscoring the widespread use of Scripture in Jewish communities.
Together, these discoveries expanded the meaning of the term Dead Sea Scrolls, showing that the manuscripts belonged not only to Qumran but to the broader Judean wilderness.
5. The Historical Timeline of Their Burial
The scrolls themselves were written between 250 BCE and 68 CE, covering the last centuries before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. Their concealment in caves coincides with the Roman advance during the Jewish Revolt. Archaeological evidence—arrowheads, coins, and burned structures—confirms that Roman soldiers reached Qumran around 68 CE, forcing the community to hide its treasured texts in desert caves.
Thus, the discovery timeline of 1947–1956 corresponds directly to the concealment timeline of 68 CE. Scrolls hidden for nearly two millennia finally came to light in the modern age, preserved by the arid desert climate and sealed in clay jars.
6. Why the Discovery Matters for the Bible
The age and location of the discovery have significant implications for our understanding of the Bible. Before 1947, the earliest complete Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament dated to around 1000 CE (the Masoretic Text). With the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, scholars suddenly had access to biblical texts more than a thousand years older.
For example, the Great Isaiah Scroll from Cave 1, dating to about 125 BCE, is almost identical to the book of Isaiah we have today. This confirms that God’s word has been faithfully preserved through the centuries, in line with Jesus’ promise that “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).
7. The Spiritual Significance of the Scrolls’ Discovery
The timing of the scrolls’ discovery is also striking. Found in 1947, the very year leading to the establishment of the modern state of Israel, the scrolls reminded the world of Israel’s ancient roots and God’s covenant faithfulness. Just as the people of Qumran sought to preserve their Scriptures during a time of upheaval, God ensured that these manuscripts would reemerge in another era of Jewish upheaval and restoration.
For Christians, the discovery is equally significant. The scrolls illuminate the Jewish world of the Second Temple period—the same world into which Jesus was born. The scrolls’ emphasis on purity, messianic expectation, and apocalyptic hope echoes themes fulfilled in Christ and carried into the Gospel message.
8. Lessons from the Discovery Timeline
When we ask when were the Dead Sea Scrolls found, we are really asking about God’s timing. The caves were sealed before the Roman destruction in 68 CE. They lay hidden for nearly two millennia. Then, in 1947, they came to light at a pivotal moment in modern history.
The discovery timeline teaches us at least three lessons:
God preserves His word: The scrolls prove remarkable accuracy in the transmission of Scripture.
God acts in history: Their discovery at a key moment in Jewish and world history is no accident.
God reveals truth in His timing: What was hidden for centuries is revealed when He wills, pointing us again to His sovereignty.
Conclusion: Discovery as Divine Providence
The Dead Sea Scrolls were found between 1947 and 1956, beginning with a Bedouin shepherd’s chance discovery near Qumran. Yet their “chance” discovery reflects God’s providence. Hidden before the fall of Jerusalem, rediscovered as the modern world reevaluated its foundations, the scrolls remind us of the enduring truth of Scripture and the faithfulness of the God who speaks.
