The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Selection of Original Manuscripts (The Folio Society)

335 pp. Color frontispiece, black-and-white photographic plates, map by Reginald Piggott. Since its publication in 1962, esteemed biblical expert Geza Vermes's translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls has established itself as the authoritative standard. The original manuscripts, discovered in the Judean Desert between 1947 and 1956, completely transformed our understanding of the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism, and the origin of Christianity. This work provides an extensive historical introduction, and selections designed to 'enable the general reader to come into direct contact with the literary works found at Qumran... the aim has been to include all the more complete scrolls, especially those which describe the community that created them and throw light on its customs and beliefs. They include community rules and laws in peace and war, hymns, songs and psalms, and a number of fascinating biblical texts and commentaries.'