Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible

William Adler -- North Carolina State University Written by one of the world's foremost authorities on Second Temple Judaism, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible represents the culmination off a lifetime of devoted study of one of the most important archaeological and documentary finds of the modern age. In this single volume VanderKam explains the contribution of the Scrolls to critical issues in the study of Jewish and Christian scriptures: the authority of biblical and para-biblical books, scriptural interpretation and commentary, messianic hopes, and group controversies during the time off Jesus. Lucid and lively writing, careful textual analysis, and original insights combine to make this book a real pleasure to read. James H. Charlesworth -- Princeton Theological Seminary With typical succinctness and insight, Jim VanderKam presents a reliable introduction to the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for a better understanding of the Bible. John J. Collins -- Yale University VanderKam surveys not only the evidence of the Scrolls for the text and canon of the Hebrew Bible but also their relevance for understanding the New Testament. As usual, he is clear, thorough, and reliable. This will be a standard reference work for all students of the Bible. Matthias Henze -- Rice University With characteristic ease, erudition, and authority, James VanderKam expertly guides readers through the diffcult terrain of textual criticism and Scrolls controversies. In the end, the reader emerges with a clear and unbiased understanding of the true significance off the Scrolls for the field ofbiblical studies.