The Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient manuscripts discovered between 1947 and 1956 near the Dead Sea in Israel. Dating from the third century BCE to the first century CE, they include biblical texts, Jewish writings, and community rules from a Jewish sect, possibly the Essenes. These scrolls are significant for biblical scholarship and provide insight into the religious and social context of Judaism during the time of Jesus. They offer valuable information about the development of the Hebrew Bible and highlight the diversity of beliefs and practices in ancient Jewish communities.