Oldest Preserved Biblical Texts

[Greg Stafford]

As I wrote in a recent Blog called "Tiny Silver Scrolls = Oldest Biblical Text" (link: elihubooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/tiny-silver-scrolls-or-amulets-oldest.html ), the late 7th/early 6th century BCE “Ketef Hinnom Scrolls” or “Amulets” contain the earliest dated biblical text from Numbers 6:24–26 and possibly other Old Testament texts. These scrolls predate the oldest of the Dead Sea Scrolls by about 400-500 years. You can see images of them here www.imj.org.il/imagine/collections/item.asp?itemNum=198069.

Greg Stafford

[Greg Stafford]

Nov 25, 2011 6:50:29 GMT -8 @jjrivera said:

... So specifically talking about the Ketef Hinnom silver scrolls, can we say that the historical evidence points to the knowledge(familarity) and usage of this passage around or even prior to a 6th century origin.

Yes. The content of the biblical texts which are reflected or quoted in these scrolls shows that the writings of Moses and perhaps other biblical writers were available even before the Second Temple period (late 6th century). This is not new in terms of what has been believed in relation to the historical content and claims of the biblical books. But having scrolls such as these which go back further than the Dead Sea documents provides further support for a long, accurate tradition of historical writing and reporting on the events involving Jah God and his ancient people.

Nov 25, 2011 6:50:29 GMT -8 @jjrivera said:

Which suggest its probable that this passage might it been copied from an actual ancient copy circling at that time of the book of Numbers, a bases to consider the book as historically reliable?

That is a reasonable conclusion based on the evidence found in these scrolls, and then as we compare them with the rest of the evidence for the history of the Jewish people, of their receipt of laws from Jah, and of their complete migration from Egypt to Israel under Moses and then under Joshua.

Nov 25, 2011 6:50:29 GMT -8 @jjrivera said:

Is the controversy over whether the scrolls support an oral tradition or early version of our book of Numbers?

I would not say there is any real controversy about these scrolls. Many simply do not use or speak of them like they do the Dead Sea Scrolls, so they are not as well known. But they speak for themselves in ways that are consistent with all of the rest of the evidence we have for the history and the beliefs of biblical Jews.

These scrolls also show use of the divine name by these same Jews in the pre-Second Temple period. Their provision of evidence earlier than the Dead Sea Scrolls for the text of the Bible is very important in terms of further establishing the credibility of biblical texts and the worship of Jaho(h)-ah throughout Israel's past.

Best regards,
Greg Stafford