BYU NewsNet - Seven Striking Features of the Dead Sea Scrolls

There are a number of features about the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible that may be unknown to most readers, Donald W. Parry said Monday at an Education Week session.

The information contained in the Bible tells readers the core characteristics of who Jesus Christ is, Parry said.

In referencing Deuteronomy 8:6, Parry said different biblical documents use the word "love" rather than "fear" in saying we should love God.

"What's your motivation for keeping the commandments?" Perry asked. "Do you keep them out of fear of being judged, or do you keep them out of love?"

Parry's talk, titled "Seven Striking Features of the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible," expanded upon the history of how modern-day versions of the Bible have come into existence.

Of the seven striking features, the first is the Dead Sea Scrolls feature the world's oldest extant Hebrew Bible, which is more than 1,000 years older than the Masoretic text.

Second, the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible presents new readings that have been lost to man's knowledge for about 2,000 years. For example, ancient scrolls show the modern-day Old Testament is missing a verse from 1 Samuel 11, Parry said.

Third, the majority of the scrolls were written in Hebrew, the language of the ancient prophets.

This is one reason Joseph Smith and other early LDS Church leaders were inclined to study Hebrew, both at home and in a temple schoolroom, according to the prophet's journal accounts, Parry said.

Fourth, the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible includes scores of previously unknown parabiblical texts - those that are similar to the Bible in character and writing style, but are not currently found in the Bible.

Fifth, the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible reveals much about the transmission of the Bible during the period preceding the Christian Era.

Sixth, the English Bible translation committees employ the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible as they prepare new translations of the Bible.

Seventh, the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible reveals Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

The documents contain many types and shadows of the Lord's sacrifice, including the sacrificial lamb at the Passover, Parry said. The lamb's blood, symbolizing the blood of Christ, was put on the door side-frames of homes and above the panel at the top of the door. The lamb had to be free of defects, such as broken bones, just as the Savior had no imperfections.