Qumran

Hardly an archaeological discovery has so revolutionized our understanding of ancient Judaism and the emergence of the Hebrew Bible as the Dead Sea Scrolls. In this textbook, Daniel Stökl Ben Ezra discusses clearly the most important theories on the Qumran scrolls in their archaeological context. Who were the owners of the scrolls, how did they live and think? What can we learn from the scrolls about the Hebrew Bible's text, editorial and canon history? Particular attention is paid to the meaning of the scrolls for the understanding of ancient Judaism beyond the circle of their once owners. Qumran scroll themes such as interpretation, Halacha, prayers, mysticism, and eschatology are systematically brought into discussion with other ancient Judaism sources, including Hellenistic and rabbinical texts, the New Testament, and archaeology.