Biblical Archaeology Society Publication Awards

The 2003 Biblical Archaeology Society Publication Awards recognize the best books on archaeology and the Bible published in 2001 and 2002.

The biennial awards are made possible by a generous grant from the Leopold and Clara M. Fellner Charitable Foundation through its trustee, Frederick L. Simmons.

Best Book Relating to the Hebrew Bible

The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls

James C. VanderKam and Peter Flint (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2002)

The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls by James C. VanderKam and Peter Flint deserves citation for several reasons: It is exemplary in its clarity and balance; it can inform both specialist and layman; it explains how the scrolls revolutionized our understanding of the Bible’s transmission; it refers the reader to further sources, including Web sites; and it chronicles the scrolls’ notoriety, from their initial discovery to the recent controversies and lawsuits over their publication. In short, the work is indispensable. Moreover, beyond aiding and abetting the work of Hebrew Bible scholars, the book is a boon to students of apocryphal and pseudepigraphical literature as well as to New Testament scholars. It is even physically attractive and can be proudly given as a gift.