Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Judean desert between 1947 and 1956 was one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time. Hidden in the caves at Qumran by the Essenes, a Jewish sect in existence before and during the time of Jesus, the Scrolls have transformed our understanding of the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism, and the origins of Christianity. This fully revised edition of the classic English translation by Geza Vermes, the world's leading scholar on the subject, offers an astonishing look into the organization, customs, and beliefs of the community at Qumran. Enhanced by much previously unpublished material and a new preface, this will remain the authoritative translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls for years to come.

• First time in Penguin Classics
• Fully revised edition including previously unpublished material and a new preface

I Introduction

A Bird's-Eye View of Fifty Years of Dead Sea Scrolls Research
The Present State of Dead Sea Scrolls Studies
Qumran and the New Testament
Qumran's Greatest Novelty

II The Community

App.: The Essenes and the Qumran Community

III The History of the Community
IV The Religious Ideas of the Community

List of Abbreviations
Note on This Translation
A The Rules
B Hymns and Poems
C Calendars, Liturgies and Prayers
D Apocalyptic Works
E Wisdom Literature
F Bible Interpretation
G Biblically Based Apocryphal Works
Scroll Catalogue
Index of Qumran Texts
Major Editions of Qumran Manuscripts
General Bibliography
General Index