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Subscribe to RSSSome of the oldest-known surviving biblical texts are headed for the Internet in a new collaboration between Google and the Israeli antiquities authorities.
The initiative is using space-age technology to create the clearest-ever renderings of the ancient scrolls, which are available free of charge online.
Abir Sultan / EPA
Visitors look at a copy of the Isaiah Scroll inside the "Shrine of the Book" at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel, on Monday, Sept. 26. The scrolls available online were purchased by Israeli researchers between 1947 and 1967. The scrolls were originally found by Bedouin shepherds in the Judean Desert.
The ancient manuscripts were written roughly two thousand years ago, and found several decades ago in desert caves, according to the Associated Press.
Abir Sultan / EPA
Dr. Adolfo Roitman points at the original Isaiah scroll at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel, on Monday, Sept. 26.
So far, five complete scrolls from the Israel Museum have been digitized for the project at this stage and are accessible online, where users can search the scrolls for specific passages and translate them into English.
Baz Ratner / Reuters
A visitor takes a close look at the Isaiah Scroll inside the "Shrine of the Book" at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel, on Monday, Sept. 26.
Google is also working with Israel to make the first comprehensive and searchable database of the broader collection of scrolls.
Abir Sultan / EPA
Dr. Adolfo Roitman analyzes the original Isaiah scroll at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel, on Monday, Sept. 26.
You can see the project online here. A full story is also available here.
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is israel trying to tell us that the 3bils in aid we give them is well spent? israel must not spend american taxpayers' public money on religion as our constitution mandates separation of state and religion.
First it is a historical document. Second the money Israel receives is to be spent on military equipment that has to be purchased from the United States and built in the United States. I have been to the museum and there is no US government money spent there.
I agree and that's why people need to make sure when they get they own e-copy of the scrolls, it needs to come directly from go0gle. I was hoping this would happen though (public release of the scrolls) because i've been wanting to read them for a good while, but i haven't been able to go to Israel - so this is a happy day for me :)
Wasn't long ago these scrolls were first let out for inspection after being denied to worldly scholarship for decades. The Vatican had control of the translation although they were in Israeli control. The story behind it is a mystery novel waiting to be told. But wait!!! That has already been done with Holy Blood, Holy Grail {Baigent, Leigh, Lincoln... Dell Books}. And because there has been this worldly scholarship the whole original theory about this 'Essene sect' of Christian history is now in question.
But let's focus on another set of scrolls, dug up in 1945 in Upper Egypt and dated almost as early as the Dead Sea Scrolls. The 'Gnostic Gospels', named after another heretic Christian sect, is what the 'inward' looking practitioners {like myself} see as truly spiritual documents. Jesus saying Buddhist things. Look inward, go inward and not the outward ego centered self controlled/overwhelmed by emotions people we are becoming {an evolving narcissism}. For the West the 'Gnostics' were probably the first practicing psychologists, all things are psychological, their inward looking approach pretty much an outline of Jung'spiritual philosophy in his 'Individuation Process" www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/individuation.html. In the East we can say the same for Buddhism. Buddhism is not a religion, it is a psychology. These concepts are where many of the 'inward' crowd form their spiritual philosophy. Think psychologically, think spiritually {Jean Raffa}. Gnosis www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/gnosishead.html
...Thank you for your comment and link reference. The millennial momentum of institutionalized dogma will not be a comfortable paradigm shift for many. God is not a `man' nor is heaven a `place'. As a conversational generalization of keyboarding, most of the people making comments on this news site do not even know what you are talking about. Any concept which includes an `Absolute' is intrinsically and ironically flawed as a mere convenience of human thought. Truth is a process not a point. As it has been, so it is now....Truth for the few is heresy to the many.
Baigeint, Lincoln and Leigh's books were great reads.
Pointing out that "scholars" tend to think the Bibilcal text more important than the secular text.
From a lot of the comments posted one can clearly why God's word includes the passage, Few will inheirt the Kingdom of GOD(heaven). Many can rave on all they want,but I for one will not take the chance and have accepted JESUS as my salvation and pray the rest of you do the same. Believe it or not EVERYONE at their death,will stand before GOD for judgement to how they lived the life he gave them. Have a great day.
Bobby: That's called 'spin,' additions to blunt any arguement or debate against a subject with a generalization and statement saying those who don't believe won't get into the club. It's complete idiocy, we still do it today, and it makes your religion look even more ludicrous. But the weak-minded and those who fear the eternity of nothingness that awaits us all will grasp at any straw to delude themselves. Congratulations, you're insane.
More bronze-age jibber jabber just like the bible.
Tony: You are too harsh.
At least Tony didn't mince words :D
Tony,
"More bronze-age jibber jabber just like the bible."
Well, at least it's a relief from the modern day jibber jabber we read so avidly every day in the newspapers and listen to on television and radio. You only have to choose your jibber jabber: bronze age or modern.
all you so called good christians give me a laugh...mention anything about jesus and you get on a roll...mention anything not about jesus and your still on a roll...you all preach the good stuff on sunday but lie and cheat all week long like anyone else for the almighty buck...look up at the sky on a clear night and try to imagine where it begins and where it ends and then ask yourself...could it really be possible for some spirit that comes from nowhere or nothing create the vastness of space and all of infinity..? c'mon people..enough is enough..get real and just accept the fact that it always was and always will be...no beginning and no end....you believe in your god because it makes you feel secure within yourself....the problem I have with it is that you keep forcing it on those of us who choose not to believe...and for those who use the word ATHIEST...I suggest that you look it up in the dictionary before you go slinging it around...dead sea scrolls..holy grail..crucifix...crown of thorns...robe...tablets of stone....on and on and still today none of it has ever been found....hmmm...I wonder about that...why would your god not leave something to prove his son was even here....us "ATHIESTS" neither believe nor disbelieve...we are simply searching for some eveidence to prove or disprove the GOD theory....it would be a better world if you bible thumpers would mind your own business and leave everyone to their own choices in life...personally I believe all this nonsense about dead sea scrolls is and has always been a hoax...but hey...thats just my personal belief....
Yes, it is you who are denying the existance of something you can go look at with your own eyes in real life, and now thanks to modern technology see images of down to the fibers and tears in the fabric, calling it a hoax, that is the sane one in the room.
Old Dog,
Aren't you insulting those who do not believe the same as you and actually telling them what they believe is not true. On the Dead Sea Scrolls science has proven when they were written, science has done the translation, so what part would be a hoax.
you are why we are here, you need us. shhh, be still, we love you too.
old dog: the problem is, the religious cannot seperate religion (a totally man-made construct of control) and faith (a belief in something greater than ones self).
I can shred ANY religion to pieces, because the creators of said religions were idiots. But faith is another issue. It's the great unanswerable. There's no way to prove or disprove the idea of a great entity that created all this. So if someone wants to believe in such a creature, and that whatever is left of us after we croak it gets to go somewhere else and continue on...who's to say it can't happen?
So I never deny someone faith. But I'll rip their religion to shreds.
Even though I don't believe in religion, here's something someone sent along to me I find humorous and very relevant.
Religion is like a penis: It's nice to have one. It's okay to be proud of it. But I don't want it shoved down my throat or my kids exposed to it. :D
Old dog,
"and for those who use the word ATHIEST...I suggest that you look it up in the dictionary"
I suggest you look it up in the dictionary, too! The proper spelling is "atheist"; not "athiest".
To those who dont believe in a creator , ok , thats fine , but all you have to look forward to is struggle thru what is now , suffer then die . Dont you think you are wasting your time . Get with it , have fun, party , then DIE . You will not remember a thing . Oh , ya, and you are not going to burn forever in hell , because that is a LIE . I found that in the BIBLE .
Have they made the Secular text available?
You can keep the "Biblical" text.
.
Dead Sea Scrolls are a hoax.
Can you please explain why they are a hoax as they are historical documents written 2000 years ago. Are you saying they were not written at that time?
some sanity please,
"Dead Sea Scrolls are a hoax."
The Dead Sea scrolls are not a hoax. They have been examined by numerous scientists and studied by many Biblical scholars since their discovery. They are the "real McCoy", as they say.
My idea of heaven is for all serious , God-loving people(who , by the way, should also be brother-loving)to meet together in a study forum to learn from each other and God's word. Yes, maybe even search to find out what is and is not His Word. But, the study of religion should be the same as "living" the religion-as any of his prophets(regardless of "beliefs")-done with love and kindness. Just think what could be accomplished if done in this manner. If we stopped trying to find fault, blame, and let love fill our hearts instead of hatred for past wrongs(and there have been MANY). Act upon HIS Word and our little light shine!
So many non-believers, may the blessings of Our Lord shower you all and your families. Thank You Jesus for this discovery. God Bless us ALL.
I'm fascinated by the fact that so many are so willing to criticize what they have never truly studied. This is true of people criticizing not only the Jewish Torah, but the Catholic Bible, as well. As a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, I have come to understand it is wiser not to criticize before studying thoroughly lest we eat our words. Anyway, Jew or Catholic or Protestant, we do not worship the book itself, but rather God whom it represents. It is understandable that a person who does not have faith would question how it was possible for books that are thousands of years old to be relevant in this day and age. You can only ask that question because you have not studied it and have not sought the truth. It is obvious you are as happy to wallow in ignorance as a pig wallowing in slop. God loves everyone and offers His truth to everyone. Such a shame so many reject even the possibility of it. I pray for you that God will bring you to know Him.
A Psalm of Life - Henry Longfellow - 1807-1882
TELL me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!— For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest! 5 And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; 10But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating 15 Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! 20
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,—act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us 25 We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, 30A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, 35 Learn to labor and to wait.
This story is an example of what digital technology can really accomplish, and gives new meaning to the term conservation.
How many of the book that you quote as truth are written by dead men?
Ad'M Before Jesus ascended HE spoke of the Trinity. And I don't know what 3rd century theologians that you are refering to, but be careful that they aren't the ones owned by Satan claiming to belong to Jesus. Among other thing, Satan is the great deceiver.
You idiot. Satan is Lucifer, first amongst angels and the most beautiful who managed to fool the all-knowing, life-path setter, subvert a host under his/her/its nose and the great creator was unable to just smite him, you know, like all those innocent babies and children in Egypt? ...ya, rather than get rid of one Pharoh (which you can't do because, well, history and all that...so...kids, ya!), he/she/it slaughters a bunch of innocents.
Do you know you're insane? The morons that came up with this plagerized religion screwed up and forgot a bad guy...so nobody was giving them money...but they couldn't just create another god, because that's going right back to what they had...so they, in their stupidity, picked an angel, something easily destroyed by its creator that somehow...wait for it...EVOLVED into an entity able to war against the one true god. Seriously, you don't realize how f-ing nuts you are? Interesting.
Pride is the wisdom of fools.
One of the first written versions of story tales as old as humanity. Would be interesting to see if it were not so gloriously held and enshrined by such an intolerant and inhumane Israeli society.
Religion must die for the species to continue. These are nothing more than the rantings of a bunch of guys that wanted to be in charge over the 'new' religion on the block.
Nearly everything is stolen from prior belief systems, much word for word. When the pantheon mythologies started to fall apart and monotheism was birthed, the SAME power-hungry idiots that were the priesthood for those jumped on board for the ride.
The idiocy of these documents, having NOTHING to do with modern times and equalled easily by many modern purveyors of colloquialisms as far a 'wise' sayings and advice go, prove that's all they are: man-made rantings made to maintain control over a new segment of fearful and superstitious people.
Religion is MAN-MADE. End of story. If we were meant to be subservient to a god, we'd be born with that knowledge. Of course, within these deeply flawed manuscripts are all sorts of 'spin' against common sense that can be dredged up to mask their inequities and contradictions. Even in that they didn't do a very good job.
Religion is the bastion of the weak, fearful and the power-mongers who know what a fantastic tool for control religion is. These documents are just the continuation of corruption and abuse that is the religious power structure.
Problem is, so weak and intellectually bereft are the believers, so afraid of death, that they'll grasp onto anything to save themselves from having to come face to face with the knowledge that NOTHING they do while alive means dick...because after they're dead, two generations later and all knowledge and memory of them is gone.
These documents just fuel their insanity and shore up their fragile psyches. Factual history and archeological research are 'the work of the devil' and blasphemy. They'll delude themselves with anything that's available to maintain the facade.
The Christian Bible is so ludicrous as to be totally beyond rationality. The all-powerful God can create a universe, slaughter innocent babies instead of a single Pharoh to prove a point...but can't murder something he created? A single angel was able to overcome the lack of free will, war against a GOD...and that God couldn't just slaughter him?
That's because when they started this insanity, they forgot that without something to be afraid of, nobody comes to church and gives them money. And they couldn't add another God, because that would blow the whole 'one-god' thing...so all they had was a renegade angel...who somehow...wait for it...EVOLVED into a being able to fight a...sorry, THE God...nearly defeat him and then survive and evolve into a being able to CREATE on its own. Hilarious. Insane. Unbelievable. ...wait...sorry, let me qualify that: unbelievable for anyone with a real intellect.
Oh, and to all the women responding to this and who believe in this idiocy...guess what?
There is only ONE thing in this universe NOT created with the power of God. He cared so much about creation, that he breathed his divine breath into single-celled amoeba...into their feces...and then created that most magnificent and mysterious of things; a black hole.
Spoiler alert: I'm going to pass onto you a bit of information that only I know...not the greatest of Biblical scholars knows this...so if you dont' want your degrees to be embarrassed...stop reading now.
But there was ONE thing NOT worthy of His divine breath...something so LOWLY and UNDESERVING of divinity that instead of creating it...which to Him would have been a waste of good creationism...instead, he...wait for it...
...CAUSED A GREAT SLEEP TO COME UPON ADAM...removed genetic material...AND CLONED ADAM.
He moved a bit of DNA around...removed a few bits...added a few new ones, gave the modified Adam back to Adam...and said... "Here, go f_ck yourself."
That's right women...you are CLONES...not beings created by God. You are the ONLY thing in the universe not so gifted. How's your love for Christianity now? Idiots.
Satan can trick almost anyone .
How come they dont spell or translate the whole word "God" or "Lord" ?? they instead use "G-d".
Greg12345,
"How come they dont spell or translate the whole word "God" or "Lord" ?? they instead use "G-d"."
There developed in ancient times the idea in Judaism that the name of God represented in the Old Testament by the letters "YHWH" (called the "tetragrammaton") and transliterated in some versions as "Yahweh" or sometimes transliterated as "Jehovah" was too sacred to be pronounced, so they substituted the vowels of the word "adonay", which means "lord" for it instead. This is why we do not know for sure how the original name was pronounced. It seems that in modern times this practice has continued in use, at least among Orthodox Jews, of leaving out the 'o' in God and substituting 'G-d' instead, although the word God is not, technically speaking, a name. It's just a Jewish tradition.
Beleiving them or not, finding them interesting or valuable or not is irrelevant; this is an excellent example of what digital technology can do.
If you are in the Los Angeles area and have this interest, the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center holds weekly classes to learn Hebrew, for a minimal cost - open to all. (Ref. #22.2 and others above.)
What does the BIBLE say ? You get free , so give free . There are people out there that will teach you for free ! Jesus taught for free , his disciples taught for free , and Witnesses teach for free also . Witnesses are all around the world . No mater where you go , you can find them on this planet . They have not gone to other planets yet because there are no beings out there , YET . The BIBLE says that the universe is a tent in which to dwell .
Wow! How Christian; so many people nipping at each other and so focused on being theologically and politically correct, they miss the whole point of this news!
A little something for those that believe only science, extraterrestrial life etc. and easily accept theories of those.
"Knowing" ~ Nicholas Cage stars in this movie. "Contact" also addressed science and faith to some extent.
Some will believe or have faith there are aliens and other sentient life bearing planets, but remain close minded to Creation. All I'm saying is don't dismiss things out of hand, especially things we don't fully understand. Don't close your minds.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:20
but rejoices with the truth bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Just in case no one remembers , Columbus was around those who thought the world was flat . If they had only read the BIBLE , it would have told them that the world is round and hangs on nothing . Do you see the problem ? Again , if only they would have read the BIBLE . Check the dates when the BIBLE was completed and when Columbus , as they say , discovered america .