MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE: An Inside Look at the Dead Sea Scrolls
(4:02 VIEWING) — It is difficult to imagine a discovery of ancient manuscripts of greater archeological, historic and theological significance than the Dead Sea Scrolls, hundreds of which are on display now at the Museum of the Bible (MOTB) just a few blocks from the Capitol campus.
The scrolls were discovered in 1947 in caves in cliffs on the northwest corner of the Dead Sea near Qumran, Israel. After the first cave was found, 10 more were discovered in the following months.
Dead Sea Scrolls discovered includes both complete manuscripts and scraps.
A total of more than 900 manuscripts and thousands of scraps, including complete texts of the Old Testament books of Genesis and Isaiah, among much else were included in the discovery.
Also found among the scrolls were works of sectarian Jewish theology, as articulated by the Essenes, including many which provide countless insights into community life of the period.
The MOTB is displaying a large selection of the scrolls through September 7. The current display marks the fourth time parts of the scrolls have been displayed in the nation’s capitol.
The current display is presented by the museum in conjunction with the Israel Antiquities Authority and, in addition to the scrolls, includes multiple artifacts from the third century B.C.
Among the artifacts is the Magdala Stone that features reliefs of the Jerusalem Temple and fragments from a first century fishing vessel known as the “Jesus Boat.” The latter is 27 feet long and is thought to be characteristic of those used on the Sea of Galilee during His lifetime on Earth.
For more information, go here.
And enjoy the following MOTB video about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the exhibition of them now at the museum: https://youtu.be/GnIc27N_d80?si=sHvCWr3N42uXnZML