The Dead Sea Scrolls: Their Relevance to the Bible and Jesus

The Dead Sea Scrolls have long been a subject of intense scholarly interest, providing a valuable window into the ancient religious and cultural landscape of the Judean desert.

The Chronology of the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Bible, as we know it today, took shape in the late 300s AD. Prior to this period, individual books were written on scrolls, not in the format of modern books or codices. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 1940s and 1950s, offer a glimpse into the textual traditions that underpin the Bible. Most of these scrolls, written between the 1st and 3rd centuries BC, are copies of texts from the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament.

The Precedence of the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls predate Jesus by many years, making it impossible for them to mention him directly. However, they do contain significant information about other biblical figures such as Adam and Eve and provide insights into the beliefs and practices of the community that produced them.

Content of the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls primarily consist of copies of the Torah, with additional texts that provide a further context for understanding the Old Testament. These scrolls were written between 150 BCE and 66 CE, during the period between the last books of the Old Testament and the emergence of Christianity.

Relevance to the Bible and Parabiblical Texts

Among the Dead Sea Scrolls are manuscripts that explore themes and concepts found in the Bible. These texts, while not directly mentioning Jesus, contain information that predates the New Testament and provide insights into the religious practices and beliefs of the period.

The Book of Jubilees

The Book of Jubilees, also known as the Book of Division, is one of the most informative texts among the Dead Sea Scrolls. It presents a unique perspective on the creation narrative, Adam and Eve, and even mentions the 6000-year prophecy extending from the date of Adam's transgression.

This manuscript is particularly significant because it was the sixth most common scroll among the fragments and is believed to be the third most common among "scriptural" texts. The Qumran community considered it an essential part of their biblical canon, emphasizing its importance in the religious context of the time.

The Teacher of Righteousness

The Dead Sea Scrolls mention the concept of the "Teacher of Righteousness," a figure often seen as a precursor to Jesus. Scholars have begun to associate the Teacher of Righteousness with Jesus, although his name is not explicitly mentioned. Descriptions in the scrolls suggest that the community lamented his death and expected his return within 40 years, a timeline that aligns with Jesus' famous statement, "Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place" (Matthew 24:34).

The Books of Creation and Adam and Eve

The scrolls also contain references to the creation narrative, including Adam and Eve. They provide specific details about the events of their sin and the date of the first day of Creation. This information aligns with the biblical account but offers additional context and detail that is not found in the canonical texts.

The Role of Enoch and the Son of Man

Various copies of the Book of Enoch contain descriptions of the "Word" or "Logos," who created all things, and the "Son of Man," the Anointed One, the Elect One, who will judge the people of the earth. The high priest's reaction to Jesus' claims to be the Son of Man can be understood in the context of these ancient texts, as he and the leaders saw these claims as a direct challenge to their authority.

Understanding the role of these ancient texts in the context of biblical scholarship provides a richer understanding of the development of religious thought and the influence of early manuscripts on later scripture.

Conclusion and Further Reading

The Dead Sea Scrolls offer a unique and invaluable perspective on the history and development of the Bible. For those interested in delving deeper into these texts, there are numerous resources available. Free PDF versions of the above-mentioned books and other biblical texts can be accessed through the website BiblePlus. A link to the "End of time messages" page is provided on the homepage, offering a comprehensive resource for exploring these fascinating ancient manuscripts.