Guide
What Is the Temple Scroll?
Late 2nd Century BCE
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The Temple Scroll is the longest of the Dead Sea Scrolls. A number of copies have been found at Qumran, the best preserved of which is 11Q19 (11QTa). The text takes the form of a first-person address from God to Moses at Sinai. In addition to synthesizing many of the laws and traditions found in the Torah, it describes the architecture of the Temple, with notable departures from biblical and other ancient sources. The scroll is significant for understanding the development of halakhah and the distinctive views of the Qumran community.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
The Temple Scroll
Temple Scroll 17–59 (selections)
[And on the four]teenth day of the first month, [at twilight,] they [will celebrate] [the Passover of yhwh] and they will perform sacrifice; prior to the evening offering, they will…
Related Guide
What Are the Dead Sea Scrolls?
2nd Century BCE–1st Century CE
Found in caves in the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea Scrolls preserve the writings of an ancient Jewish sect.