QUMRAN: EXCAVATING HISTORY PRESENTED BY JONATHAN ESTERMAN MARCH 2012
Copyright 2012, Jonathan Esterman. All rights reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other - except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published by Scripted Genius. Visit us online at scriptedgenius.com.
Introduction! 4 Historical Background! 4 Significance! 6 Conclusion! 7 Bibliography! 8
Introduction Biblical archeology is classic archeology. While it is often persuaded to be considered separate, the mission is nevertheless the same: digging for historical evidence and insight. The Bible is one of the most enigmatic historical texts of our day. With diverse opinions on meaning, historicity, and translation, each individual s approach to reading the Bible will be different. While I personally take a maximalist approach to archeological revelation, and it may be evidenced in my personal inflection, this paper is not an attempt to influence one s interpretation of these sacred scriptures, but rather an brief examination at the excavational site of Qumran, which has the most impacting influence on Bible interpretation and meaning today. In this paper, we will examine this historical background of Qumran, including major archeological digs, any objectives of any present excavations, the progress completed at the site, and any significance of discoveries to biblical study. To conclude, I will reflect what I have learned in this research that I have shared with you. Enjoy! Historical Background What is Qumran? What is the significance of this oddly-spelled term? Randall Price, biblical archeologist, in his published work, The Stones Cry Out, discusses not just biblical archeology, but also addresses Qumran, and for good reason. Qumran is the most significant archeological site to date as far as biblical historicity and confirmation. According to Price, the Essenes, a lost community of religious and practiced Jews,
settled at Qumran and produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. 1 While it is not entirely agreed that the people that resided at Qumran were Essenes, the findings at Qumran have nevertheless verified a community of people lived there, and that the community identified itself with the biblical Israel living in the wilderness. 2 There is even evidence of this people group in the Bible. 3 This people group viewed themselves as the herald to the eschatological wars and messianic age to come. 4 Essentially, this people group were highly-trained theologically, and adhered to a strict lifestyle which reflected their belief system. Their location, combined with their lifestyle, made for an excellent method of preservation of historical documents and record keeping. Let s fast-forward to a more modern setting. The year is now 1946. Shepherds of the Ta amireh Bedouin tribe have settled in the desert between Bethlehem and the Dead Sea. One of the teenagers of the tribe, Muhammed edh-dhib, went in search of a stray goat, and stumbled across a cave with pottery in it. Inside what is now known as Cave 1, edh-dhib discovered storage jars filled with seven scrolls. 5 The Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran have been unearthed. It was not until 1952 that official digs took place, however, as the Bedouin tribe had dug several caves, finding over 15,000 records, and sold them to the highest bidder, lying about the location of these finds, so that there would be no competition. 6 1 Randall Price, The Stones Cry Out (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1997), 22-23. 2 Ibid., 283. 3 John 1:23 4 Ibid. 5 Randall Price, "The Dead Sea Scrolls," (Torrance: Rose Publishing, 2005). 6 James C. VanderKam, The Dead Sea Scrolls Today (London: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1994), 10-11.
Cave 1 was the initial discovery by the Bedouin. Cave 2 was discovered by them as well, February 1952. Cave 3 was actually discovered by a group of archeologists from the American School of Oriental Research, March 1952, being the first Qumran discovery by actual archeologists. Cave 4 was also discovered by the Bedouin August 1952. Cave 4 was actually two separate caves, but the Bedouin jumbled the discoveries together, so it is only attributed to one cave. 7 At this point the location of the caves had been determined, and a rush of archeologists digging took place. By April 1953, Caves 5 and 6 were discovered. Caves 7, 8, 9, and 10 were unearthed between February and April 1955. Digging ceased in 1958, with Cave 11 being discovered in January 1956. This was digging only the caves of Qumran - none of the nearby structures were examined at this point. 8 None of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the buildings. In fact, no manuscripts were located at all. During the building research craze, only jars, ostraca, and coins were found. 9 Since then, there have been no noted archeological digs of discovery. The most recent was Price in 2005 10, and there are no current plans for archeological investigation. 11 Significance The scrolls located, known popularly as the Dead Sea Scrolls, have had a significant impact on understand the Bible, as well as biblical times. In regards to biblical historicity, 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid., 11-12. 9 Ibid., 14. 10 Price, "The Dead Sea Scrolls." 11 Biblical Archeology Society, "Find a Dig" http://digs.bib-arch.org/digs/.
these texts, mostly extra-biblical in nature, confirm events recorded in the Bible. In regards to biblical authority, the Dead Sea Scrolls have contributed to areas that seemed lacking, such as an example for 1 Samuel 11: when compared to 4QSam a, where the DSC had an additional paragraph of explanation of events. While not necessary in the biblical account, it does provide insight and logical explanation as t Nahash s decisions. 12 Insights, such as the 1 Samuel 11, help not only verify the account of the Bible, but further the understanding of biblical times and the societies. Conclusion The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has been the single most important discovery in biblical archeology, not just furthering our understanding of Scriptures, but providing evidence that aligns with the old hymn, Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. As the Bible, a complete work, has been verified by over 15,000 scrolls and records, perhaps one will be more willing to take a leap of faith in trusting the words of Christ. From my own research of the Dead Sea Scrolls, my largest take-away, as of 2012, is my wonderment in why these verified documents have not yet been considered to be utilized in enhancing our current canon of Scripture. In all, I have learned that even in this century we are still discovery more to the word of G-d, and that we really don t have the puzzle pieced together. Perhaps we never will... 12 Frank Moore Cross, Light on the Bible from the Dead Sea Caves, ed. Hershel Shanks, Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls (New York: Vintage Books, 1992), 156-161.
Bibliography Cross, Frank Moore. Light on the Bible from the Dead Sea Caves. Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls, Edited by Hershel Shanks. New York: Vintage Books, 1992. Price, Randall. The Stones Cry Out. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1997. Price, Randall. "The Dead Sea Scrolls." Torrance: Rose Publishing, 2005. Society, Biblical Archeology, "Find a Dig" http://digs.bib-arch.org/digs/. VanderKam, James C. The Dead Sea Scrolls Today. London: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1994.