With contributions from 100 distinguished scholars representing diverse traditions and fields of learning, this is the most comprehensive critical synthesis of current knowledge about the Dead Sea scrolls, and their historical, archaeological, linguistic and religious contexts. The Encyclopedia ranges widely to cover such topics as the political, social, and cultural backgrounds of the texts and their communities; methods of analysis and interpretation; the impact of the texts on the understanding of Judaism and Christianity; and much more - including balanced treatment of conflicts and controversies.

The Book of Jubilees, a Jewish retelling of Genesis and the first half of Exodus, was an important work for the community of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This Guide, following the format of this successful series, gives an introduction to Jubilees that covers its dating, its textual history and its purpose; a survey of its theological teachings and themes; and a section-by-section commentary that includes a comparison of its divergences from Genesis and the meaning and emphasis of each section. This volume, by the leading authority on Jubilees, provides the very best introduction for the student and scholar to one of the most important texts of Early Judaism.>

This volume contains a collection of prayers, hymns, psalms, and liturgies from Cave 4 at Qumran. Among them, 4Q Shirot Olat HaShabbat ("Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice") was preserved also in a copy from Cave 11. The other compositions include 4QNon-Canonical Psalms, 4Q Berakhot ("Blessings"), 4QApocryphal Psalm, and 4QPrayer for King Jonathan. This collection of texts greatly enhances our understanding of intertestamental poetry, adding a rich continuation to the biblical tradition of praise and worship of God in poetry. Among other things, these compositions reveal more fully the Qumran community's understanding of the link between heavenly and earthly worship and the interaction of men and angels in the praise and service of God.

The thirteen Qumran scholars present recent overviews and syntheses in various areas of scrolls study, making The Community of the Renewed Covenant the broadest, most authoritative, and up-to-date book available on the Dead Sea Scrolls. These essays provide descriptions of the major areas of research, as well as explore the implications for longstanding problems in the field.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in caves near the Dead Sea fifteen miles east of Jerusalem between 1947 and 1956, include the oldest existing biblical manuscripts and the remarkable texts of the purist Jewish community at Qumran. The discovery of the Scrolls has added dramatically to our understanding of the varieties of Judaism at the time of Jesus and the rise of Christianity, but has also prompted heated debate about the nature of these religions. As the monumental task of transcribing and translating the Dead Sea Scrolls is finally completed, people around the world are taking stock of the significance of these ancient documents.;In The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls, two of the world's leading experts reveal the complete and fascinating story in all its detail: the amazing discovery, the intense controversies, and the significant revelations. This comprehensive, up-to-date guide is the definitive introduction to all aspects of the scrolls, including their teachings, the community that created them, the world of Judaism, the origins of Christianity, our understanding of Jesus and the New Testament. Featuring photos of the original texts, the sites and the scholars who deciphered t

The thirteen Qumran scholars present recent overviews and syntheses in various areas of scrolls study, making The Community of the Renewed Covenant the broadest, most authoritative, and up-to-date book available on the Dead Sea Scrolls. These essays provide descriptions of the major areas of research, as well as explore the implications for longstanding problems in the field.