THE MEANING OF THE QUMRAN SCROLLS FOR THE BIBLE

The aim of the author is to give a ""qualitative"" if not a quantitative impression of the importance of the Qumran Scrolls for Christianity. The first part of the book deals with the meaning of the Scrolls for the Old Testament -- its text and composition, canon, geography, and interpretation, and their meaning for the thought of the New Testament. The second part concentrates on the great Isaiah Scroll, devoting seven chapters to aspects of the relation of this scroll to the text and interpretation of Isaiah. Five appendices deal with certain passages of importance in the scrolls. The author intends the book to be ""popular"" but not ""light"" reading. His method, however, consists mainly in close textual scrutiny, comparisons, and collations, with discussion of the relevant hypotheses and positions taken in Biblical analysis, and would seem to require a considerable skill in technical competence. The book should be a useful document for serious students of the Scrolls and the issues raised by their appearance.