INTRODUCTION TO QUMRAN MANUSCRIPTS
The Institute for Hebrew Language and Literature offers a specialized course titled Introduction to Qumran Manuscripts, designed for students who wish to gain a structured and academically grounded understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls and their significance for biblical studies.
This course provides a systematic introduction to one of the most important discoveries in the history of religion, language, and textual transmission.
The course lasts three months and is held once a week via Zoom.
The program begins on May 27, 2026.
Course Content
The course is designed as a comprehensive introduction to the Qumran manuscripts, combining historical, linguistic, and textual perspectives.
The program includes:
- historical background of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls
- geographical and archaeological context of Qumran
- overview of the manuscript collections
- classification and division of Qumran texts
- Biblical manuscripts found at Qumran
- apocryphal and pseudepigraphal literature
- sectarian texts and community writings
- introduction to the Essenes (theoretical and historical perspectives)
- linguistic characteristics of the manuscripts (Hebrew and Aramaic)
- significance of the Qumran texts for the study of the Old Testament
- introduction to textual transmission and preservation of Scripture
The course provides students with a clear and structured understanding of how the Qumran manuscripts relate to the Hebrew Bible and why they are crucial for modern biblical research.
Course Structure and Expectations
This is a serious academic course, intended for students who want to understand the foundations of Qumran studies.
Participants are expected to dedicate 30–45 minutes of weekly study at home, in addition to live sessions.
All participants receive course literature in PDF format free of charge, including selected texts, historical materials, and analytical resources.
Instructor
The course is led by Prof. Željko Stanojević, Hebrew linguist, biblical philologist, and independent researcher specializing in Hebrew language, Biblical Hebrew, and Qumran studies.
Prof. Stanojević is the author of multiple works on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Great Isaiah Scroll. His research focuses on orthographic and scribal features, textual analysis, and the relationship between Qumran manuscripts and the Masoretic Text. Through his work on the Great Isaiah Scroll, he has contributed to the study of textual transmission and the linguistic structure of one of the most important biblical manuscripts.
Progression to Advanced Courses
Completion of this course, together with:
- Hebrew for Beginners
- Biblical Hebrew Bet Level
is required for enrollment in the advanced specialist program:
Special Course on the Great Isaiah Scroll
This ensures that students possess the necessary linguistic, historical, and analytical foundation for advanced manuscript study.
Fees and Enrollment
Course fee:
- 200 EUR (full payment)
- 85 EUR per month (installments)
For additional information and enrollment, please contact:
Further specialized courses, including detailed manuscript analysis and advanced Qumran studies, will be presented on separate pages.