The Impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls

by Joseph A. Fitzmyer SJ

Overview

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are texts not discovered in the Dead Sea itself, but in caves and holes along the northwest shore of the Dead Sea between 1947 and 1963, has had an enormous impact on human intellectual life, in particular the fields of biblical studies and archaeology. The Dead Sea Scrolls have influenced not only the study of the Old Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures, but also the history of Judaism in Judea, the study of the ancient languages of Aramaic and Hebrew, and the interpretation of many New Testament writings. Since 1957, Joseph Fitzmyer has done considerable study and research on the Dead Sea Scrolls along with having published extensively on this topic. The result is informative, interesting, and insightful reading that will appeal expecially to students of the Bible and those interested in ancient archaeology.

Highlights:

• Succinct description of the Dead Sea Scrolls along with their significance and importance both for biblical studies and ancient archaeology.
• Author’s expertise. He has done extensive research, study, and scholarly writing on the Dead Sea Scrolls since 1957.
• Helpful reading resource for students of the Bible and those interested in history and ancient archaeology.
• Accompanying photos and illustrations that complement the presentation.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809146154
Publisher:	Paulist Press
Publication date:	11/02/2009
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.37(d)

Table of Contents

Preface v

Abbreviations

1 General vii

2 Dead Sea Scrolls viii

I The Dead Sea Scrolls: Terminology, Discovery, and Dating 1

II The Dead Sea Scrolls: Archaeology, the Excavation of Khirbet Qumran 15

III The Palestinian Jewish Sect of the Essenes: History and Organization 23

IV The Languages of the Scrolls 44

V The Scriptures in the Scrolls: Old Testament, Targums, Canon 47

VI The Use and Interpretation of Scripture in the Sect 56

VII Apocryphal, Sapiential, Liturgical, and Eschatological Literature 67

VIII Beliefs and Practices of the Sect: Dualism, Eschatology, Messianism, Calender 74

IX The Scrolls and Christianity: John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth, New Testament 90

X The Scrolls and the Writings of Paul of Tarsus 97

XI The Scrolls and Johannine Writings 109

XII The Scrolls and Other Christian Writings 118

XIII The Cooper Scroll 129

XIV The End of the Qumran Community 133

Notex 135

Index of Modern Authors 147