Key Bible Manuscripts: Dates, Contents and Why They Matter

Some of the most important biblical manuscripts help scholars trace how the Hebrew Bible and New Testament were copied and preserved over time. The Dead Sea Scrolls, dated from about 250 BCE to 68 CE, contain texts from nearly every book of the Hebrew Bible except Esther, alongside apocryphal and sectarian writings. They are the oldest known manuscripts of many Hebrew biblical texts. The Nash Papyrus, dated around 150–100 BCE, preserves portions of the Ten Commandments and the Shema. Later Greek manuscripts include Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus from the fourth century CE, both among the oldest and most significant near-complete copies of the Greek Bible. Other major witnesses include Codex Alexandrinus, Codex Bezae and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus, which are valuable for comparing textual variants in the Septuagint, Gospels, Acts and other biblical books. Papyrus P52 is usually discussed separately because it is a small New Testament fragment, often dated to the early second century CE, rather than a complete manuscript or codex.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.