The Dead Sea Scrolls are again on exhibit, and thousands of people will journey to see them. But will these folks understand what they see? There are plenty of scholarly volumes on the Dead Sea Scrolls, full of indexes, footnotes, and jargon for those in the know. But what about the majority of the population -- nonspecialists who just want a basic understanding of what the Dead Sea Scrolls are and why they're so important? That's where this little book comes in. David Noel Freedman and Pam Fox Kuhlken here offer an informed, inside look at these significant ancient texts. Full of humor and behind-the-scenes glimpses into research on the Scrolls, What Are the Dead Sea Scrolls and Why Do They Matter? is a fascinating, accessible guidebook -- perfect for any reader seeking a brief, quality introduction to this inscrutable subject. Questions addressed run the gamut from general to paranoid to somewhat cynical. Here's a sampling: - What are the Dead Sea Scrolls all about? - Who wrote them, why, and in what languages? - How do scholars reconstruct a biblical text? - Have the Scrolls changed our understanding of any passages in the Bible? - Do the Scrolls tell us when the world will end? - How has technology improved our ability to study the Scrolls? -How much would a Scroll fragment sell for on eBay today?