Evidence · Case 03 · Reliability of Scripture
Isaiah
One exhibit from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
About 21 to 22 copies of Isaiah were found. The famous one is the Great Isaiah Scroll, 1QIsaiah-a, dated about 125 BC, which is the oldest complete copy of any biblical book, holding all 66 chapters.
Sources
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, with Google; the scroll is dated about 125 BC
Objections & responses
- The Great Isaiah Scroll isn’t the only Isaiah at Qumran. 1QIsa-b is much closer to the Masoretic Text, which shows 1QIsa-a is a freer, more popular copy. Isn’t using the freer one as the showcase misleading?
A fair refinement, and it strengthens the case. 1QIsa-b’s closeness to the Masoretic Text is the better evidence for stability, while 1QIsa-a’s fuller spelling and popular features show the range of copying practice. Together they show two scribes, a century apart and working in different registers, transmitting the same Isaiah. The Great Isaiah Scroll’s showcase status comes from its completeness, not from being the best textual witness, and both things are true at once.