The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 was a watershed moment in the history of biblical scholarship. These ancient texts, found near the Dead Sea in a series of caves at Wadi Qumran, have provided scholars with a unique glimpse into the history and transmission of the Old Testament Scriptures. As conservative Evangelical Christians, we hold the belief that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God in its original manuscripts. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which date back as early as the second century B.C.E., offer an invaluable resource for assessing how faithfully the Hebrew Scriptures have been transmitted over time.
The Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls
The first of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered was the Isaiah Scroll, known as 1QIsa, which is dated to around the end of the second century B.C.E. This was an extraordinary find because it represented a Hebrew manuscript that was about 1,000 years older than the oldest known Masoretic Text of Isaiah. The implications of this discovery were profound. It allowed scholars to compare the Masoretic Text, the standard Hebrew text of the Old Testament, with a much earlier Hebrew manuscript.
The scrolls found at Qumran consist of both biblical and non-biblical writings, including commentaries, sectarian texts, and other religious documents. Importantly, fragments of over 170 biblical scrolls were uncovered, representing portions of almost every book of the Hebrew Scriptures, with the notable exception of the Book of Esther.
The Significance of the Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa)
The first Isaiah Scroll, or 1QIsa, has been the subject of much study. Upon examination, scholars found that while there were some spelling and grammatical differences between 1QIsa and the Masoretic Text, the doctrinal content remained consistent. This is a key point in understanding the transmission of the Hebrew Scriptures. While variations in spelling and grammar can occur due to the process of copying, the essential theological truths of the Bible have been preserved.
The fact that 1QIsa is remarkably similar to the Masoretic Text, despite being separated by a millennium, demonstrates the care with which the scribes transmitted the text. Isaiah 40:8 states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” This verse captures the enduring nature of God’s Word, and the preservation of the Isaiah Scroll underscores that truth.
Variations in the Dead Sea Scrolls
Although many of the biblical texts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls align closely with the Masoretic Text, there are instances of significant variation. One of the most notable examples is the discovery of two different versions of the Book of Jeremiah. The version found in the Masoretic Text is longer than the version found in the Septuagint (LXX) and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The shorter version, represented in the Dead Sea Scrolls, has led scholars to reconsider the development and transmission of Jeremiah’s text.
These variations do not undermine the integrity of Scripture, but they do remind us that the transmission of the biblical text involved human scribes who, despite their best efforts, were not infallible. Deuteronomy 32:4 reminds us, “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” God’s character and revelation remain untainted, even though human processes of copying could introduce small discrepancies.
Psalm 119 in the Dead Sea Scrolls
One of the Dead Sea Scrolls, known as 11QPsa, contains a portion of Psalm 119. This lengthy psalm, which extols the virtues of God’s Law, is almost identical in the Dead Sea Scrolls to the version found in the Masoretic Text. Professor J.A. Sanders noted that the variants found in 11QPsa are largely orthographic—related to spelling and pronunciation—and are of little theological consequence. This high degree of agreement between the Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls in Psalm 119 reaffirms our confidence in the stability of the Hebrew text.
Psalm 119:160 says, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” The near-perfect correspondence between 11QPsa and the Masoretic Text demonstrates that the transmission of the text has preserved the truth of God’s Word across the centuries.
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint
One of the most valuable contributions of the Dead Sea Scrolls is their ability to shed light on the relationship between the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Septuagint (LXX). The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures completed between the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C.E., is often used in textual criticism as a secondary witness to the Hebrew text.
For example, in Isaiah 53:11, the Dead Sea Scrolls agree with the Septuagint against the Masoretic Text. The scrolls and the Septuagint both include the word “light,” which is missing in the Masoretic Text. The verse reads, “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see [light] and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” The addition of the word “light” enhances the meaning of the passage, emphasizing the servant’s victory and vindication.
In such cases, the Dead Sea Scrolls help clarify instances where the Masoretic Text may have suffered from scribal omission or alteration. By comparing the scrolls to the Septuagint and other ancient versions, scholars can make informed decisions about the most likely original reading of the text.
The Book of Psalms in the Dead Sea Scrolls
Among the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Psalms are represented more than any other biblical book. This is significant because the Psalms were central to the worship and devotional life of ancient Israel, just as they are for Christians today. The scrolls include traditional psalms as well as a few psalms not found in the canonical Masoretic Text.
In 11QPsa, several psalms appear in a different order than in the Masoretic Text, and some additional psalms are included. This demonstrates that the Psalter, like other portions of the Hebrew Bible, was still in the process of being shaped during the Second Temple period. However, the core content of the Psalms remains intact, and the variants found in the Dead Sea Scrolls do not challenge the theological or devotional value of the Psalms.
Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” This verse encapsulates the role of the Psalms in guiding the people of God, and the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm that this guidance has been faithfully preserved across the centuries.
The Influence of the Qumran Community
The Qumran community, which is believed to have produced and preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls, was a sectarian Jewish group that held to a rigorous interpretation of the Law. Their writings, including the Community Rule and the War Scroll, provide insight into their beliefs and practices. The community saw itself as the faithful remnant of Israel, awaiting the coming of the Messiah and the final judgment.
Their strict adherence to the Law is reflected in their careful preservation of the Scriptures. They viewed themselves as custodians of God’s Word, and their commitment to textual fidelity is evident in the scrolls they left behind. This dedication aligns with passages like Deuteronomy 4:2, which commands, “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God that I command you.”
While the Qumran community’s theological views diverge from mainstream Judaism and Christianity, their role in preserving the Hebrew Scriptures is invaluable. The Dead Sea Scrolls they left behind have provided a wealth of information about the textual history of the Old Testament.
Doctrinal Stability in the Dead Sea Scrolls
One of the most significant findings from the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls is the remarkable doctrinal stability of the biblical texts. Despite the presence of some textual variants, the fundamental theological teachings of the Hebrew Bible remain unchanged. The differences that do exist are often related to spelling, grammar, or word choice, rather than substantive doctrinal matters.
For instance, the scrolls found at Qumran affirm the core monotheistic belief found in Deuteronomy 6:4, known as the Shema: “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God, Jehovah is one.” This central tenet of Israel’s faith is consistent across the scrolls and the Masoretic Text, demonstrating the continuity of the biblical witness to the nature of God.
Similarly, the covenantal relationship between God and His people, as expressed in passages like Exodus 19:5-6, is upheld in the Dead Sea Scrolls. “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine.” The scrolls affirm the enduring significance of the covenant and Israel’s role as God’s chosen people.
The Contribution of the Dead Sea Scrolls to Old Testament Studies
The Dead Sea Scrolls have greatly contributed to our understanding of the Old Testament and its textual history. They provide a window into the transmission of the Hebrew Bible during the Second Temple period and offer valuable comparisons with the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint.
These scrolls have confirmed the general reliability of the Masoretic Text while also highlighting areas where further study and comparison are necessary. The discovery of textual variants, such as those in Isaiah and Jeremiah, reminds us that the process of transmitting the biblical text was not immune to human error. Yet, through the diligent work of scholars and the availability of ancient manuscripts, we can recover the original words of Scripture.
Jeremiah 1:12 reminds us, “Then Jehovah said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.’” This assurance from God is not a promise that the process of transmission would be flawless, but rather that His Word would ultimately fulfill its purpose. Through the discoveries at Qumran and ongoing textual study, we can approach the biblical text with confidence, knowing that God’s truth endures.
The Role of Textual Criticism in Studying the Dead Sea Scrolls
Textual criticism is the scholarly discipline of comparing ancient manuscripts to determine the most accurate reading of a text. In the case of the Dead Sea Scrolls, textual criticism plays a crucial role in evaluating the Hebrew Scriptures. By comparing the scrolls with the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, and other ancient witnesses, scholars can identify scribal errors, intentional changes, and other variants that may have occurred over time.
One example of the value of textual criticism is the study of Isaiah 53, the famous “Suffering Servant” passage. In Isaiah 53:11, the Masoretic Text reads, “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied.” However, the Dead Sea Scrolls include the word “light,” which emphasizes the Servant’s vindication and resurrection. The passage reads, “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see light and be satisfied.” This variant aligns with the Septuagint and offers a richer understanding of the text.
Textual criticism allows us to approach the Scriptures with humility and precision, recognizing that while the biblical text has been transmitted through human hands, the inspired message of God remains accessible and authoritative.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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