The Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit

Two days ago, the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit opened at Union Station in Kansas City, MO, just a couple miles from my house. Melissa and I have tickets for March 3, when we will attend with a group organized by our church. It is creating quite a buzz. If you are anywhere in the Kansas City area between now and May 13, be sure to check it out.

Descriptions of the scroll fragments on display in this exhibit:

Genesis-Exodus
— 1st century BCE, found in cave 4
Fourteen copies of Genesis and Exodus were found, but only this scroll contains both books. The fragment that will be displayed parallels chapters 35-39 of the Masoretic text and begins with the birth of Benjamin and ends with the story of Joseph at Potiphar’s house. (never before on display in the United States)

Joshua
— 2nd century BCE, found in cave 4
This is the earliest known copy of Joshua. This fragment describes the events that took place after the Israelites arrival in the land of Canaan. (never on display in public before)

Psalms
— 1st century CE, found in cave 11
Psalms is one of the longer texts found at Qumran. This fragment is parallel to Psalms 135-136, which are classified as Hymns of Praise. It extols the Lord for his greatness as creator of the world and deliverer and redeemer of his people. (never before on display in the United States)

Job
— 1st century CE, found in cave 11
This fragment corresponds to Chapter 36: 7-16 and 23-33 of the Masoretic text in which Elihu describes to Job how God watches the righteous. (never on display in public before)

Isaiah Commentary
— 1st century BCE, found in cave 4
It was a common practice among Qumran manuscripts to employ the “pesher” method of biblical commentary. This unique style was used by writers who quoted Biblical text and after each, attempted to interpret how the words had been realized in contemporary events according to the view of the sect. This is an example of just such an exercise interpreting Isaiah Chapter 11:1-2. (never on display in public before)

Community Rule
— 1st century BCE to 1st Century CE, found in cave 4
The Community Rule comprises a set of rules according to which members of the Qumran sect conducted their lives. This fragment describes the need and readiness of the sect members to worship and praise the Lord by praying at fixed intervals. (never before on display in United States)

Deuteronomy, Replica
— 1st century BCE, found in cave 4
One of the most popular books among the Qumran sect, this fragment of Deuteronomy is from Chapter 8 and Chapter 5, which includes the Ten Commandments.

Aramaic Apocalypse, Replica
— 1st century BCE, found in cave 4
This Aramaic text, also known as Apocrypha of Daniel, is similar to the apocalyptic section of the biblical book of Daniel. It refers to the “Son of God” and “Son of the Most High.” Scholars dispute the meaning of this phrase as to whether it is a reference to a historic ruling figure or an apocalyptic sovereign who will establish God’s reign on earth.

Damascus Document, Replica
— 1st century BCE, found in cave 4
Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Sectarian writings were practically unknown except for the Damascus Document. A copy was discovered in the Cairo genizah in 1890. This replica deals with scale disease and its purification.

Genesis, Replica
— first half of 1st century, BCE, found in cave 4
This scroll corresponds to Genesis 1:18–27. It was written in black ink on a thin sheet of reddish-brown parchment that was damaged over the years. The scroll describes the act of creation that took place on the fifth day and ends with the creation of man on the sixth day.

Copper Scroll, Replica
— found in cave 3
This scroll differs from the others in that it is written on copper, not papyrus or parchment. It is not literary in any way, but instead lists various locations where items of gold and silver are hidden or buried. So far, no one has been able to find these treasures. The original Copper Scroll is on display at the Archeological Museum in Amman, Jordan. It was found in 1952 by archeologists.