Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds: Rediscovering the Dead Sea Scrolls
Unearthing the unfamiliar world behind the Bible
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a window into an unfamiliar ancient culture and a mirror that reflects our own strange world back to ourselves. The scrolls simultaneously challenge and confirm what we thought we knew about the Bible, both its worlds and its very words. Though the scrolls were first recovered in 1947, their story continues to unfurl.
In Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds: Rediscovering the Dead Sea Scrolls, Andrew B. Perrin reintroduces readers to the scrolls while correcting common misunderstandings and highlighting overlooked issues. Perrin’s tour spans the traditions of ancient Judaism and extends to the big business of modern antiquities trading—and the surprising number of forgeries on display in our museums. Along the way, he debunks popular myths and conspiracies.
Praise for Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds
This is a lively and engaging introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls for the non-specialist. It is noteworthy for its discussion of forgeries and of the Aramaic texts, issues that are often overlooked in standard introductions.
—John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament Emeritus, Yale Divinity School
This lively presentation of the Dead Sea Scrolls highlights in many fresh ways both their significance for the better understanding of the past and also their implications for the present. Every alliterative subheading resonates with intriguing insight. The whole is easy-access illumination of a truly fascinating subject.
—George J. Brooke, Rylands Professor Emeritus of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, University of Manchester
Andrew Perrin’s book is more than a mere introduction and survey of the Dead Sea Scrolls; it is an insightful and up-to-date revelation of the real meaning of the scrolls and the various controversies surrounding their discovery and—in some cases—their authenticity. It’s also a fun read!
—Craig A. Evans, John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins, Houston Christian University
If you’ve ever wondered about those strange books called the Dead Sea Scrolls, Perrin’s new book is for you! Perrin’s book is full of Indiana Jones-esque stories of the DSS discovery, tales of clever forgeries, and depictions of different Jewish groups in Jesus’s day. Grounded in excellent scholarship, Perrin uses engaging stories and his welcoming tone to make the Dead Sea Scrolls feel friendly, rather than remote.
—Beth Stovell, professor of Old Testament, Ambrose University
- Preface: How to Read a Dead Sea Scroll
- Introduction: Tattered Scrolls and a Tissue Paper Time Machine
- First Impressions from Qumran Cave 1
- (Re)Discoveries in the Judean Desert: Fact, Fable, and Finding the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Eight-Figure Souvenirs? Modern Forgeries of Ancient Scripture
- Essene-ish: Classical and Qumran Sources on Ancient Jewish Identities and Movements
- Tour de Qumran: Death, Toilets, and Other Archaeological Highlights
- The Vitality of Ancient Scriptures and the Making of Modern Bibles
- The Orbits of Traditions: Patriarchs and Matriarchs Before the Bible
- The Aramaic Imagination: Extending Ancestral Traditions in Imperial Language
- Conspiracy and Opportunity at the Intersection of Qumran and Christian Origins
- Closing Thoughts from the Unfolding History of the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Title: Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds: Rediscovering the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Author: Andrew B. Perrin
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2025
- Pages: 352
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683597957
Andrew B. Perrin is associate vice president of research at Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada. Previously, he was director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute at Trinity Western University and Canada Research Chair in Religious Identities of Ancient Judaism. He is the author and editor of several books, including The Dynamics of Dream-Vision Revelation in the Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls, and his research has been recognized with several academic awards.
Reviews
2 ratings
RH
4/22/2025
In Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds, Andrew B. Perrin writes with an ease that makes the history and teachings of the Dead Sea Scrolls accessible to the average reader. His sense of humor adds a light and enjoyable tone to what could otherwise be a difficult subject matter. Perrin offers a thought-provoking interpretation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, taking into account factors like time, economic shifts, and modern-day culture—elements that influence how we understand the ancient world. Although my own experience and knowledge of the subject are limited, Perrin does a wonderful job educating the reader through a relaxed, engaging style. His personal touch—especially the story of discovering a map that predated the Dead Sea Scrolls' discovery, along with his references to the Essenes—captured my interest and kept me turning the pages. The discussion of inkwells and a possible scriptorium near the caves sparked my imagination, inviting me to ponder the "what ifs" surrounding it all. This book was passed on to me, and while I wasn’t obligated to leave a positive review, I genuinely enjoyed Perrin’s tone and insights. I believe both scholars and curious readers alike will find this book thoroughly rewarding.Anthony Delgado
4/15/2025
Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds, by Andrew B. Perrin is designed to help readers rediscover the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) by clarifying misconceptions, exposing forgeries, and highlighting the scrolls’ ongoing significance for biblical interpretation. The DSS are not mere historical artifacts but help us to understand Second Temple Judaism, crucial context for our understanding of the origins of Christianity. The book challenges simplistic assumptions, stressing that authentic scholarship demands confronting complex and sometimes uncomfortable truths about textual variations, ancient scribal practices, and modern antiquities markets. Yet Perrin presents these difficult ideas in a very comfortable format for all types of readers. I particularly appreciated Perrin’s discussions of supernatural elements in the DSS, ideas that contribute to a Divine Council worldview (DCW) and of course, discussion of the Book of Enoch. The DSS texts present an enriched supernatural cosmology, as seen in the Genesis Apocryphon and the Enochic Book of Giants, both of which explore and expand upon mysterious passages like Genesis 6:1–4 and other narratives involving angelic beings, giants, and apocalyptic themes. Perrin encourages readers to approach Scripture with a deeper appreciation for this supernatural context in which it was originally understood. Ultimately, Perrin’s work points readers to consider the ongoing DSS research driven by technological advancements, the digitization of scrolls, and the necessity of discerning genuine texts from modern forgeries. While the book revisits foundational DSS insights, it remains uniquely valuable by integrating recent scholarly developments in accessible language. Although I think it is primarily beneficial for readers interested in textual criticism and Second Temple Judaism, Perrin’s engaging style, thoughtful humor, and emphasis on the scrolls' contemporary relevance make this book rewarding for any audience.