The Israel Museum has activated its emergency protocols to safeguard the Great Isaiah Scroll, the world’s oldest nearly complete biblical manuscript, amidst escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. The 2,100-year-old document, part of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, has been temporarily removed from public display.
The scroll, composed of 17 parchment sheets, contains the 66 chapters of the Book of Isaiah in Hebrew and is considered one of the most valuable pieces in biblical history. The museum’s conservation team has implemented additional security measures, including a special shield, to protect the manuscript.
The Great Isaiah Scroll was displayed in its entirety for the first time in decades before being secured. The museum plans to reopen the exhibition once conditions improve. The scroll’s preservation is crucial, given its significance in understanding the development of the biblical canon.