The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls" in the Judaean desert between 1947 & 1956 transformed our understanding of the Hebrew Bible early Judaism & the origins of Christianity. These extraordinary manuscripts appear to have been hidden in the caves at Quumran by members of the Essene community a Jewish sect in existence before & during the time of Jesus. Some sixty years after the Scrolls first discovery this revised & much expanded edition of " The Dead Sea Scrolls in English" crowns a lifetime of research by the great Qumran scholar Geza Vermes. As well as superb translations of all non-biblical texts sufficiently well preserved to be rendered into English there are also a number of previously unpublished texts & a new preface. Since its first publication in 1962 " The Dead Sea Scrolls in English" has established itself as the standard English translation of the non-Biblical " Qumran Scrolls" & as giving an astonishing insight to the organization customs history & beliefs of the community responsible for them. This seventh edition will contain new material together with extensive new introductory material & notes."