Dead Sea Scrolls

In 1947 a Bedouin shepherd who was chasing one of his goats discovered in a cave in the desert from Qumran some clay pots. This first find took place in the south of the city of Jericho in the present West Bank. In the vessels were found some strange scrolls of parchment and papyrus written in three languages: Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.

More than 900 documents were found in which information of great value is found for the knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures. Those who have investigated this gem of palaeography affirm that the scrolls were written between the third century BC. C and 1st century AD. C. Most experts argue that its authors were the scribes of the sect of the Essenes. We are talking about the Dead Sea Scrolls.

In the present The Dead Sea Scrolls are housed in the Israel Museum and have recently been digitized by Google. From discovery Researchers have had to overcome all kinds of technical difficulties to decipher the enigmas of these scrolls or scrolls. The last of the deciphered texts is related to the calendar used by the Essenes.

A key discovery for the knowledge of Judaism and Christianity

The Manuscripts of the Dead contain extensive information. Some apocryphal books stand out, that is, the books not included in the canonical version of the Jewish Bible. Some texts and interpretations of the Bible and documents related to daily life and community organization in the time of Jesus Christ were also found.

Prior to this discovery, the biblical texts used came from the Middle Ages, but thanks to the appearance of the manuscripts it was possible to better understand the historical context closer to the time in which Jesus Christ lived.

Who were the Essenes?

Before the appearance of the Dead Sea Scrolls or Scrolls, very little was known about the Essenes. While we now know a little more about them, they remain a mystery to researchers.

The scientific community considers that the Essenes were a Jewish sect that lived in community. Some biblical scholars maintain that they were the true promoters of Christianity. Its members lived in a community of goods and led a simple life dedicated to the spirituality.

Among the experts there is a great controversy about the relationship that Jesus had with the members of this sect. It has been said that Jesus maintained close relations with them and that his training spiritual was led by an Essene teacher.

Photos: Fotolia - Vadiml / Robert Hoetink