Author Description

As more and more information comes to hand about the Dead Sea Scrolls, earlier estimates of their significance have to be revised, thus the title of this book. Indeed, the word "second" must here be interpreted in a liberal sense. Some of the thoughts which find expression in this work are probably third, fourth or even fifth thoughts. But they are certainly not last thoughts. Yet the outlines of the situation out of which these documents emerged are becoming increasingly clear; and unless some quite incalculable factor is suddenly introduced into the picture, it seems likely that further information, as it continues to be published, will modify a number of points here and there but in general will help to fill the outlines in and make them clearer rather than necessitate a radical reinterpretation. [From the Preface]