The Publication History of the Discoveries in the Judaean Desert Series: A Book Historical Investigation

Abstract

The Discoveries in the Judaean Desert series (DJD) consists of 40 volumes published between 1955 and 2010. It is recognized as the official publication series of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Besides manuscript editions, the series includes publications of other artifacts. The DJD series has provided the scholarly community with extensive knowledge and insights into the Dead Sea Scrolls. It has significantly contributed to our understanding of Second Temple Judaism and offered new insights for biblical studies regarding the pluriform text tradition. As the official publication series of the Dead Sea Scrolls, DJD has been, and remains, an important tool for Scrolls research. It is in many cases the main resource for scholars who study the Scrolls. Even those who primarily consult other resources before, or instead of, DJD normally build to some extent upon the work presented in DJD, because elements like identifications, sigla, names, paleographical dating, and transcriptions are often adopted in later editions and other resources.

This thesis, informed especially by book history explores DJD and its publication history. Drawing on archival sources and publications, the thesis first examines the roles of contextual factors, individuals, and their practices. This involves analyzing the organization of research, contributors, developed practices, resource limitations, political circumstances, technological advances, and other relevant contexts and agents. Secondly, the thesis investigates how these factors have influenced the knowledge produced in DJD. This includes examining both the content and physical form of the series, as well as the practices and approaches reflected in both.

The 55-year publication period saw several contextual changes. For example, the publication continued under different national authorities due to changing borders and political instability, transitioning from Jordanian to Israeli control. The series also experienced leadership changes, with four editors-in-chief overseeing its publication: Roland de Vaux (1952–1971), Pierre Benoit (1971–1986), John Strugnell (1984–1990), and Emanuel Tov (1990–2010). Initially, the group of DJD editors was small, with the choice of editors-in-chief and other editors being partly contextually determined. Organic growth occurred throughout the publication period. The most significant expansion in the number of editors happened during a major reorganization initiated by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the early 1990s, led by Tov. Demographics among DJD editors remained relatively consistent. However, more female scholars became involved from 1979 onward, and Jewish scholars were invited to publish in DJD after being formally banned under Jordanian leadership. Infrastructural factors such as varying funding, technological advancements, and the available tools and facilities shaped both the publication process and the final product. Two key infrastructural elements especially accelerated the publication pace of the series: advancements in computer technology and the initiation of renewed and more organized funding efforts.

The publication project was largely organized ad hoc, especially until the reorganization in the early 1990s. When the project began, the scope of the material, the number of scholars that would be needed, and the duration of the publication process were all unknown. Practices developed over time, shaped by circumstances that sometimes presented limitations and other times opportunities. The individuals involved made decisions they considered best or necessary under the given conditions. This pragmatism is an inherent part of DJD’s publication history and has shaped the series. The presentation of DJD manuscript editions and the knowledge produced were influenced by many factors, including the nature of the material being published, such as its preservation state and whether the text on the fragments represented a known composition. The content of each edition also depended on the often implicit theoretical and methodological approach of the scholar who prepared it, as well as the resources and tools available to them. In addition to editors being afforded a significant degree of scholarly freedom, there were implicit expectations regarding what a DJD edition should be. DJD editors have explored materiality in different ways and to varying degrees, but the primary focus of the manuscript editions is generally textual. This differs from the focus in the series’ publications of non-inscribed artifacts that devote more attention to materiality and use. The main reason for the textual focus in the manuscript editions is that the text is the most accessible and obvious way to learn about the past from the relevant manuscripts. Additionally, most editors were textual scholars.

Through investigating the book history of the DJD series, this thesis seeks to contribute to an appreciation of earlier Scrolls research. The thesis also considers what future directions the field could benefit from taking. Recognizing that manuscript editions in the series are provisional and subjective not only in their reconstructions or commentary, but also in the very foundational work of piecing together the fragmentary manuscripts, this thesis urges scholars to engage critically with DJD.