How the Dead Sea Scrolls 'Bible' Differs from the Traditional Hebrew Text

Of course, we know there is no "DSS Bible" per se, but 40% of the scrolls are from Hebrew Bible texts--but they have significantly different readings, some of which agree with the Greek Septuagint (LXX) and the Samaritan Pentateuch. In this recent on-line presentation Dr. Tabor offers an overview of the topic and introduces resources for further study.

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[moshemorgenstern]

On Purim we read the Megillah of Esther. We also drink wine to the point we cannot distinguish between "blessed is Mordechai" and "cursed is Hamman." Thus it is fitting that the fragment from the book of Esther had wine spilled all over it. Evidently the Essenes really got into the spirit of Purim.

[stephenafromowitz]

I, accidentally, found you on Utube and have been fascinated with your knowledge and presentations.
I’m a 73 year old Jewish man who is probably defined as almost agnostic but the feelings of the Judeo Christian are so strong in my life.
I find you to be very moving and inspiring. You have rekindled in me something that I have been looking for, for many years.

[shayalynn]

As a Christian, I find it refreshing to come across a truly non-biased conversation about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Excellent information!!Thank you for your work and your time. I appreciate the recommendations of the books too.

[Remkay]

Dr. Tabor has such a gentle and wise energy, I could pick this man’s brain for hours and enjoy every minute

[mysticwanderer]

Thank you for this scholarly presentation. The stimulus for getting my Bachelor's degree in Comparative Religion from a secular university was because of my quest to learn as much as I could about the Bible, Christianity, and Judaism from an academic perspective rather than simply push the "I believe" button to accommodate a certain theology. I questioned how so many clergies from different denominations and even different churches within those denominations could have such a widely divergent theology when all claim to have the Bible as the foundation of their belief system. My answer came of course in seeing the Bible as a collection of texts written by ancient Jews for ancient Jews and not for modern Christians with little or no critical understanding of the Bible's origins, linguistics, and social and historical context. Professor Tabor, you do a great service to us all with your excellent presentation. I only regret that I did not find your channel sooner.

[joeluda]

I have just found your channel and am utterly fascinated. Thank you for your scholarly research and explanations. I read VanderKam and Flint's Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls over a decade ago and became absolutely rapt with desire to learn about this subject. I find all biblical scholarship fascinating, but the fact we are reading scripture written about 3000-3200 years ago is incredible. Thank you to all of you who put these great works into the lay persons hands and a special Thank You to this channel for explaining the scrolls in lay terms. You are awesome sir, keep up the great work!

[drphosferrous]

Dead sea scrolls give us a window on qumranian essenes, and we might be able to extrapolate something about the galillean essenes. It's not crazy to think they had plenty influence on the formation of early christianity. Many people will be surprised at how fluid the theology has been over time though. The more we learn about history, the weirder religion gets.🕯

[oxipied]

Interpreting the Dead Sea Scrolls is a fascinating problem. I try to imagine how well we’d understand American culture if it were based on a single torn up newspaper.

[pedenmk]

Ahh the 90s. What a great decade. Only I wasn't in the classroom. Great presentation. Thank you Mr

[pjh]

Was very nice to hear from a member of the church speak to us about the Dead Sea Scowls. Thank you.

[douglasturner]

Interesting confirmations here when comparing the Scrolls and other Texts. Language translation changes and biases account for most of the differences we have.

[therighteousrighthand]

I am so glad Christian's are open to research and analysis of the Word of God. In the end God will ensure His Word will prevail. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."Mat 24:35

[RobertJones-etgh]

Thank you so much for this religiously unbiased video presentation. I like how you presented the textual variations, without dogmatically imposing (forcing) your opinion, as to which textual reading is the original. You let the listener see the big picture and this draw their own conclusions.

At some point I want to purchase the English translations of the Dead Sea Scrolls. I only wish I could read directly from the original Hebrew text of the Dead Sea Scrolls, or Masoretic Text.

And... of course, being able to read the NT Greek would be nice too.

[timothytremblay]

I was enthralled when I discovered at about age 18 the scrolls were found, and I latched on to them as soon as they were successfully translated. Now at 75 years of age I'm still excited about all archaeological discoveries, and I honestly believe the Essenes were sent by Almighty God to be there for the Advent of Jesus of Nazareth, and they mysteriously "Disappeared" after His Divine Holy Appointment. Jesus Yeshua is Lord and King there is NO other.
❤️✝️❤️

[helorumtheknightsofmambrin]

Finally, an unbiased-Dead-Sea-Scrolls scholar. I wish, sometime earlier, I would have found your work.

[sorenaleksander]

The people I know talking about the DSS online right now are Dr Tabor, Dr John J Collins, and Dr Kipp Davis. It would be wonderful for a channel like MythVision or Digital Hammurrabi to host all of you at once for a discussion!

[tmcge]

This is one of the best videos I've seen in awhile, not that I agree or disagree, just good information....food for thought with outstandibg references. Thank You!

[christo-chaney]

Thank you Dr. Tabor. I always like comparing the similarities & seeing the differences between the DSS & my Hebrew Tanakh.

[garlandjones]

I wouldve never guessed that the Dead Sea Isaiah Scroll read differently than both the Greek Text AND the Samaritan Pentateuch. Im curious as to what the discrepancies are between it and the Samaritan text.

[JukeBoxDestroyer]

not 2 messiah's, but 2 figures in 1 messiah, like father/son
ie. John 14:10
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.