The Israel Museum Celebrates 60 Years: A Historic Display of the Great Isaiah Scroll

November 2025: To mark its 60th anniversary, the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, will open an extraordinary exhibition showcasing the Great Isaiah Scroll —the world’s most complete biblical manuscript —in its entirety. Running from December 12, 2025, to April 12, 2026, this once-in-a-lifetime display offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness one of humanity’s most significant archaeological and spiritual treasures.

A Global Cultural Moment

For history lovers, scholars, and spiritual travelers alike, this exhibition promises to be a monumental experience. The Great Isaiah Scroll, discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls, is the oldest and most complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible ever found, a direct link to the Second Temple period, dating back nearly 2,000 years. At 7.17 metres long, it contains all 66 chapters of the Book of Isaiah and is more than a thousand years older than any previously known biblical text.

A Milestone Celebration at the Israel Museum

The exhibition also celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Shrine of the Book, the specially designed wing of the Israel Museum that houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Originally inaugurated in 1965, this striking architectural landmark was conceived to preserve the first seven scrolls discovered near Qumran. Due to preservation concerns, the Great Isaiah Scroll has been largely kept in storage since 1968, with only a

small section typically on view. This special exhibition, therefore, marks a historic public unveiling of the scroll in its entirety, an event of immense cultural, religious, and academic significance. The Scroll will be displayed in the Bella and Harry Wexner Gallery, the Museum’s main exhibition space, ensuring that every visitor passes through this once-in-a-generation showcase.

A Journey Through Time

The exhibition will take visitors on a visual and emotional journey, from the sunlit cliffs of Qumran, where the scrolls were discovered, into the caves where they lay hidden for millennia. Through immersive storytelling and interactive displays, visitors will trace the Scroll’s journey, from its creation by ancient scribes to its discovery and preservation at the Israel Museum.

Revealing the Scroll’s Secrets

Groundbreaking new research, conducted especially for this exhibition, will unveil fascinating insights into the scroll’s creation, materials, and usage in ancient times. Visitors will discover how this ancient manuscript was written, handled, and preserved, offering a unique perspective into the spiritual and cultural life of its time. The exhibition will also delve into the profound spiritual resonance of the Book of Isaiah, a cornerstone of both Jewish and Christian traditions.

For Jewish visitors, it represents a profound connection to Hebrew prophecy, language, and faith. For Christians, it bridges the Old and New Testaments, with prophecies that echo through centuries of theology and art.

Perhaps most powerful of all is the scroll’s timeless message of peace: “And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks: Nation shall not take up sword against nation; neither shall they know war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Curated for a Global Audience

The exhibition, curated by Hagit Maoz, Head of the Shrine of the Book, has been designed to appeal to audiences of all faiths, ages, and backgrounds, combining history, spirituality, and innovation. It stands as a symbol of cultural unity and enduring heritage, resonating deeply with global travelers, including the growing number of Indian visitors exploring Israel’s historical and religious landscape.

Exhibition Details

Dates: December 12, 2025 – April 12, 2026

Venue: Bella and Harry Wexner Gallery, Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Curator: Hagit Maoz, Curator of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Head of the Shrine of the Book

Scientific Advisors: Prof. Marcello Fidanzio, Prof. Noam Mizrahi, Dr. Charlotte Obeid