Study Tools

Accordance Bible Software

Accordance Bible Software offers a wide variety of user friendly and dynamic tools for Dead Sea Scrolls studies. Accordance runs on Mac platforms but can also be operated in PC environments by downloading a free emulator available through the Accordance website. Accordance offers users several primary and secondary source modules that put the Scrolls at their fingertips:

  1. Qumran Sectarian Manuscripts: Hebrew and Aramaic texts from Qumran complete with grammatical and lexical tags
  2. Qumran Sectarian Manuscripts New English Translation: English translation to above module
  3. An Index of Qumran Manuscripts: Catalogue of many Dead Sea texts with information on paleography, dating and bibliographic references
  4. The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible: Electronic version of translation by Martin Abegg Jr., Peter Flint and Eugene Ulrich (available with footnotes)
  5. Dead Sea Scrolls Biblical manuscripts: The entire corpus of Biblical texts in their original languages complete with lexical tags
  6. Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls Series (Flint, Abegg, Martinez eds.)

Logos Bible Software

Logos Bible Software allows users to access not only the non-biblical texts of the Dead Sea Scrolls but also offers a wide variety of secondary literature that may be of interest to students of the Scrolls. The following resources can be purchased in various Logos software products:

  1. Qumran Sectarian manuscripts: Hebrew and Aramaic texts from Qumran complete with grammatical and lexical tags
  2. The Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition (Edited by Florentino García Martínez and Eibert J.C. Tigchelaar)
  3. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Modern Translations of the Old Testament (Harold Scanlin)
  4. The Dead Sea Scrolls Today (James C. VanderKam)
  5. Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls (12 volumes)

BibleWorks Software

BibleWorks Software enables users to investigate the sectarian literature of the Scrolls through a morphologically tagged resource called Qumran Sectarian Manuscripts. The BibleWorks platform also contains numerous other exegetical tools for research in the biblical texts.


 

The Dead Sea Scrolls Electronic Library

Edited by Emanuel Tov, produced by Noel B. Reynolds and Kristian Heal (Leiden: Brill, 2007) (CD-ROM; 3rd Edition)

A new comprehensive reference resource on the Scrolls. Volume contains texts, images and resources on all of the published non-biblical Scrolls. Built in image manipulating software and search engines enable contact and investigation with the Scrolls in ways never before possible.


The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible

Translated and with commentary by Martin Abegg Jr., Peter Flint and Eugene Ulrich 
(San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1999)

The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible is the oldest known Bible translated for the first time into English. Prior to the discovery of the scrolls, the oldest complete Hebrew Bible was dated to the eleventh century CE. But now The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible translates texts up to 1200 years older and allows us to read the same Hebrew Bible that Jesus used. Now three Dead Sea Scrolls experts (Martin Abegg, an expert in the Hebrew language), Eugene Ulrich (one of the three chief editors of the Dead Sea Scrolls) and Peter Flint (an expert on the biblical scrolls) to translate for the first time the previously unpublished biblical manuscripts.


Discoveries in the Judaean Desert

The official critical edition complete with photographic plates published by Oxford University Press.
Complete bibliographic information on all current volumes


The Dead Sea Scrolls: A New Translation

Translated with commentary by Martin Abegg Jr., Peter Flint and Eugene Ulrich
(San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1999)

This landmark work from three of the most-noted Dead Sea Scrolls scholars brings the ancient scrolls of Qumran vividly to life. Translating and deciphering virtually every legible portion of the fragmented scrolls, Michael Wise, Martin Abegg Jr., and Edward Cook provide pointed commentary throughout the text that places the scrolls in their true historical context. In their compelling, insightful introduction, they not only present an overview of the often surprising contents of the scrolls, but also discuss what is perhaps their greatest mystery: who authored them and why.


The Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition (Paperback, 2 vols.)

Translation and original language transcriptions by Florentino Garcia Martinez and Eibert J.C.Tigchelaar
(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999)

This indispensable two-volume compendium of the Dead Sea Scrolls contains newly edited English translations and summaries of all biblical and nonbiblical scrolls found at Qumran. Designed as a practical reference tool to facilitate fruitful study of the Scrolls, these volumes, compiled by expert Dead Sea Scrolls researchers, will be an essential addition to the library of anyone interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls -- from serious scholars to general readers seeking reliable translations of these invaluable ancient texts.


The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English

Translations by Geza Vermes
(Penguin Classic, 2004)

Vermes has left out the copies of Hebrew scriptures that are available elsewhere, instead focusing on the sectarian writings of the Essene community at Qumran and the intertestemental texts, and these are indeed complete translations. Vermes has also included an overview of five decades of research on the scrolls and a thumbnail sketch of the Qumran community's history and religion. For anyone interested in biblical history, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English is a worthwhile read.


The Dead Sea Scrolls Reader (6 Vols., texts classified by genre)

Edited by Donald W. Parry and Emmanuel Tov
(Leiden: Brill, 2004-05)

This edition presents for the first time all the non-biblical Qumran texts classified according to their genres, together with English translations. Of these texts, some twenty were not previously published. The Hebrew-Aramaic texts in this edition are mainly based on the FARMS database of Brigham Young University, which, in its turn, reflects the text editions of the ancient scrolls (mainly DJD) with great precision, including modern diacritical signs. The Reader consists of six individual parts. The purpose of the classification is to enhance the research facilities of the individual texts within their respective genres, especially in courses at Universities and Colleges.


Masada Excavation Reports: The Yigael Yadin Excavations, 1963-1965 (8 Vols.)

(Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 1989-2007)

No other archaeological endeavor in Israel has attracted such widespread attention as the excavations at Masada carried out under the direction of Yigael Yadin in 1963-1965. Interest may have been precipitated by Josephus Flavius' detailed account of the dramatic fate of Masada at the end of the Jewish War against the Romans (66-73/74 CE). Masada includes remains of an impressive architectural complex built by Herod the Great and vivid evidence of Jewish resistance to Rome's might.


Helpful Links


Archeology and Science


Archaeology on Masada Skeletons (James Tabor)

Biblical Archaeology Review

Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts

Handbook of Biblical Numismatics

Orion Center for the Study of the DSS & Associated Lit

Qumran Science


Greek Study Tools


Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts

Codex Sinaiticus

Greek Epigraphic Remains Database (PHI)

Perseus Digital Library

The Septuagint

Society of Biblical Literature - Biblical Fonts

Thesaurus Lingua Graecae
 


Hebrew Study Tools


Accordance Bible software

BibleWorks Software

Logos Bible Software

Society of Biblical Literature - Biblical Fonts


Scholars' Websites


Codex: Resources for Biblical Studies (Tyler F. Williams)

Craig A. Evans

PaleoJudaica (James R. Davila)
 


Online Journals


The Bible and Interpretation

TC: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism


Biblical Studies


Bible Study Magazine

Biblical Archaeology Review

Gospel of Judas

New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS)

New Testament Gateway

Pseudepigrapha, Apocrypha and Other Sacred Writings

Society of Biblical Literature - Biblical Fonts

Torreys Biblical Studies Resources Page
 


Universities and Museums


Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago