The DSS fragments date from 250 or 200 BC to AD 60; some documents may predate the community.

So far, portions of about 800 documents have been found. Most of these are in fragments. They were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, on papyrus, and cow and sheep leather.

There are many types of manuscripts in the DSS, including:

1. Old Testament books.
2. Apocryphal writings.
3. Sectarian documents.
4. Misc. writings.
5. Testimonia (like tracts-- scripture compilations).
6. Commentaries on the Old Testament.
7. Targums (Aramaic paraphrases of the Old Testament).

The DSS have portions of every Old Testament book except Esther. The favorite (or most frequently found) books were Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and Psalms.

The importance of the DSS is multifaceted.

• They show that there was diversity within Judaism. (1) Another sect existed besides Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Christians. (2) Inter-Jewish controversies are seen.
• They demonstrate the languages of the Jewish people. (1) Hebrew. (2) Aramaic. (3) Greek.
• They help illuminate the history of the OT text and canon (i.e. collection of the Bible).
• They help us to better understand ancient Jewish methods of interpretation of Scripture.
• They show us literary forms and writing styles of the time.

4. THE QUMRAN COMMUNITY

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