---
title: "The absence from the Dead Sea Scrolls of historical texts proper shou… — Geza Vermes Quote #3 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "The absence from the Dead Sea Scrolls of historical texts proper should not surprise us. Neither in the inter-Testamental period, nor in earlier bibl… — a quote by Geza Vermes."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # The absence from the Dead Sea Scrolls of historical texts proper should not surprise us. Neither in the inter-Testamental period, nor in earlier biblical times, was the recording of history as we understand it a strong point among the Jews.

[Geza Vermes](https://quotesby.net/Geza-Vermes)\#3

[History](https://quotesby.net/Geza-Vermes/history/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?The lack of historical texts in the Dead Sea Scrolls reflects a broader trend in Jewish history where recording events was not a primary focus.In plain termsJews in ancient times did not prioritize writing down history like we do now.What can you take from it?Historical absence can reflect cultural priorities rather than ignorance.

### Where it applies

- studying ancient texts
- analyzing religious history
- interpreting archaeological finds

### Putting it to work

- researching textual gaps
- contextualizing historical records

### Questions to consider

- What counts as history in different cultures?
- How do we interpret missing records?

### Another view

This view might overlook oral traditions that served the same purpose.

## More from Geza Vermes

1. > If one had to single out the most revolutionary novelty furnished by Qumran, its contribution to our understanding of the genesis of Jewish literary compositio…

[Permalink to quote \#2](https://quotesby.net/Geza-Vermes/2/ "Permalink to quote 2")
2. > The account of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as the manuscripts are inaccurately designated, and of the half a century of intense research that follow…

[Permalink to quote \#1](https://quotesby.net/Geza-Vermes/1/ "Permalink to quote 1")

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