The Shrine of the Book: Discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Roots of the Bible

The Shrine of the Book is one of the top attractions in Jerusalem. Its story stretches back more than 2,000 years, but it only came to light with a random chance discovery in the winter of 1947. A group of Bedouin shepherds were searching for a lost goat on the rocky terrain along the western coast of the Dead Sea. And when they entered one of the area’s many caves to look for the animal, they found dozens of ceramic jars filled with scrolls.

Realizing they were likely ancient and valuable artifacts, the shepherds sold them to an antiquities dealer in Bethlehem. The scrolls then later made their way into the hands of Israeli archaeologist E.L. Sukenik, a local Syrian Orthodox priest and others. When scholars realized the scrolls were 2,000-year-old versions of familiar Biblical texts, and news of the discovery spread, more local Bedouin as well as a joint expedition by the French École Biblique et Archéologique Française and the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem set out to further explore the area of Qumran. Over the next decade, more than 950 other similar scrolls were discovered. 

A Glimpse into an Ancient World

• Preserved by the dry desert climate, most of the scrolls were preserved in pieces that could be stitched together. 
• Among them were every Biblical book, except Nehemiah and Esther, giving crucial insight into the development of Biblical texts that were the foundation of Judaism, and later deeply influenced Chiristianity and Islam. 
• There were also scrolls, mainly in Hebrew and Aramaic, interpreting these texts, and a collection of documents about the community that lived at Qumran, revealing their religious rituals, rules and routine of life.

Although scholars continue to debate the details, the community likely broke away from mainstream Israelite practice around the Temple in Jerusalem, and settled in the desert. Many of their writings reveal that they saw themselves as living in the end of days, on the cusp of a messianic era. Archaeologists have also uncovered structures used by the community in Qumran, including assembly halls and a water system. 

The Story of the Shrine of the Book

These scrolls now live on in the dedicated Shrine of the Book complex at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The building itself is a large white dome, designed to look like one of the lids to the jars that held the scrolls in the caves. Opened in 1965, the facility keeps the scrolls safe and secure in climate-controlled conditions while letting visitors view them through protective glass. The hallway leading to the display area was designed to look and feel like a cave, allowing visitors to experience the environment of the scrolls’ amazing discovery. 

In addition to displaying and telling the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Shrine of the Book examines how Biblical texts made the journey from scrolls to book-form. This is mainly highlighted through the story of the Aleppo Codex, a one-thousand year-old Bible also on display. Many of the scrolls and parts of exhibits are available online as well in the digital library of the Shrine of the Book.

FAQs About Visiting the Shrine of the Book

Where is the Shrine of the Book?

The Shrine of the Book is part of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, located near the Knesset and government quarter. The museum can be reached by a short taxi ride from the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem, or via public bus number 7 or 97. 

How can you visit the Shrine of the Book?

The Dead Sea scrolls in the Shrine of the Book can be visited when the Israel Museum is open, on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Thursday through Saturday. 

How much is admission to the Shrine of the Book?

Entrance to the Dead Sea scrolls exhibit is included in the museum’s general admission price. For adults, admission is 62 shekels. There are discounts for students, and senior citizens with an Israeli ID card. Children under the age of 18 are free on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and during the month of August.

What can you see in the Shrine of the Book? 

The museum includes the Dead Sea scrolls, 2,000-year-old versions of Biblical texts. The Isaiah Scroll, found intact, is among the most famous. The display also contains the Aleppo Codex and a large model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period. For upcoming special exhibitions involving the Dead Sea scrolls and the Shrine of the Book, please consult the museum’s website.