Dead Sea Scrolls have been the focus of intense debate over their intended purpose since their discovery in the mid-20th century. Since their discovery, there has also been a growing body of scholarship that can help answer this question (Vermes, The Complete, p. 12). Drawing on the relevant historical evidence to this end, this paper provides a discussion concerning the best explanation for the function of the Dead Sea Scrolls, including an analysis concerning how the scrolls would have functioned during the life of the Dead Sea Scrolls community and how and why the scrolls were put in the caves. Finally, a summary of the research and important findings concerning the purpose of the Dead Sea Scrolls are presented in the conclusion.
Historical knowledge of the Dead Sea Scrolls community
It is reasonable to posit that some of the overarching purposes of the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) included providing the DSS community with a codified guide to everyday Qumran life, interpreting biblical texts, and to provide the framework in which hope for a better tomorrow (messianism, discussed further below) could be expressed. The historical knowledge of the Dead Sea Scrolls community has been based in large part on the first-century writings of Philo, Josephus and Pliny the Elder (Vermes, The Complete, p. 22). Josephus was a historian from the Second Temple period who provided substantial information about this time period, juxtaposed with the Rule of the Community (VanderKam and Flint, The Meaning, pp. 246-247). The historical evidence does in fact suggest that the Essenes were responsible for placing the scrolls in the Qumran caves. For example, some historians point out that there was historical evidence that indicated the DSS were deposited in the Qumran Caves by the Essenes, "The ancient sect of Jews . . . during a period of persecution, perhaps when the Romans attacked Jerusalem in A.D.70" (VanderKam and Flint, The Meaning, p. 8). Likewise, VanderKam and Flint cite the congruence of exegetical practices at Qumran with conventions in the late Second Temple period (The Meaning, p. 307).
Based on the historical knowledge of the Dead Sea Scrolls community, it is clear that the scrolls' function was to help guide the Essenes (most likely) in their way of life in general and with respect to their laws...
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