An undiscovered book of the Bible? Dead Sea Scroll fragment hints at missing manuscript

Have researchers found a hidden book of the Bible? While this is a tantalizing possibility, it is unlikely. But what has been discovered is nonetheless remarkable and worthy of further study. 

Most of the scrolls are in fragments, damaged by fire, the elements, and time itself.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
5/2/2018 (7 years ago)

Published in Middle East

Keywords: Dead Sea Scrolls, fragments, manuscript, Bible

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Researchers are studying the Dead Sea Scrolls, using NASA imaging technology. Recently, they discovered lettering on fragments of parchment that otherwise appear to be blank to the naked eye. 

It is impossible to tell what the fragments say, except on at least one fragment, the words don't appear to match any known manuscript. The words are old Hebrew and probably belong to an undiscovered manuscript. 

Researchers also noted that the handwriting appeared to be unique, and did not match any other handwriting found on the other scrolls. 

Researchers are in a race against time and the elements to record everything contained in the scrolls, which have been in a state of decay since they were first discovered in 1946. After the initial discovery in 1946, many more scrolls have been found with nearly 1,000 manuscripts among them. The manuscripts date back to at least three to four hundred years B.C. The newest manuscripts date to around the early 4th century A.D. 

Several books of the Bible, as well as other manuscripts including histories, rules and laws, and non-canonical books that were not included in the Bible, have been discovered among the scrolls. 

None of the discoveries in the scrolls are particularly dramatic, if anything, they reinforce our traditional understanding of the Biblical world. Still, they provide detailed insight into communities of people who lived within their own sects of Judaism. 

They also provide a new reference for Biblical translations. The Catholic New American Bible is one such translation.

These fragments are not the only ones found amid the scrolls. Other fragments have been found previously, but most have been connected to existing works. 

Work to preserve the scrolls and to make their contents publically available is ongoing, but is also a painstaking process given the delicate physical nature of the material scientists are working with.