The Great Isaiah Scroll: A Historic Exhibition at the Israel Museum

The Great Isaiah Scroll, recognized as the oldest nearly complete book from the Hebrew Bible, is currently on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem for the first time since 1968. This significant exhibition was inaugurated on Monday in the presence of President Isaac Herzog. The scroll, measuring over seven meters (23 feet) in length, contains ancient text that has influenced the spiritual lives of millions for over 2,000 years. It is housed in a specially designed eight-meter-long (26-foot-long) glass case, allowing visitors to closely examine its vellum sheets, which exhibit signs of age, including stitches, stains, and fading letters.

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Experts date the Isaiah Scroll to around 125 BCE, noting that its text closely aligns with the accepted version of the Book of Isaiah in the Jewish biblical canon, albeit with minor variations in spelling and word choice. The scroll consists of 17 sheets stitched together and is believed to have originally been divided into two parts. It was discovered by Bedouin shepherds in a cave near Qumran in 1947, alongside the Dead Sea Scrolls, and has since undergone a complex journey before being acquired by Israel in 1954.

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Curator Hagit Maoz emphasized the importance of preserving the scroll for future generations, stating, “We respect [the scroll] and try as much as possible not to harm the object.” The exhibition also serves as a platform for collaboration among various communities, including representatives from Christian organizations and the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, which conducted early excavations in the Qumran Caves.

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The Book of Isaiah holds particular significance for both Jewish and Christian traditions. Maoz noted that Isaiah is quoted approximately 66 times in the New Testament, highlighting his role in heralding the coming of the Messiah. The exhibition features artifacts such as pottery and cloths used to wrap the scrolls, alongside photographs from the original excavations.

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President Herzog remarked on the scroll's profound historical significance, stating, “There is continuity, there is tradition, there are roots; a long chain of generations, a story written and passed down.” He further noted that many verses from Isaiah have become integral to modern Jewish and Israeli identity, including the phrase, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,” which is inscribed in his office.

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The exhibition, part of the Israel Museum's 60th anniversary celebrations, will run until June 6. Visitors are required to reserve a time to view the scroll in a climate-controlled room, which accommodates no more than 25 people at a time, ensuring an intimate experience with this ancient artifact.

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• “There are moments when we stand before an object, small or large, a fragment of parchment bearing ancient handwriting, and suddenly we understand that not everything begins with us,” — Isaac Herzog, President of Israel

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• “[The artifact] essentially describes the importance of the Book of Isaiah to the Christian world,” — Hagit Maoz, Curator

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• “A scroll tells two intertwined stories: the story written within it, and the story of its own journey, all that it went through so that we might be able to continue and read it,” — Isaac Herzog, President of Israel

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This exhibition not only showcases the Great Isaiah Scroll but also invites reflection on the enduring legacy of its text and the shared history it represents among diverse faith communities.

Times of Israel