The Israel Museum in Jerusalem put the Great Isaiah Scroll on display in
honour of Israel's 60th anniversary. The ancient scroll, exhibited for the
first time in over 40 years contains the prophet Isaiah's well known verse,
"They shall beat their swords into plowshares" (Isaiah 2:4). U.S
President George W. Bush is expected to view the exhibit during his upcoming
visit to Jerusalem.

ISRAEL MUSEUM, JERUSALEM (MAY 13, 2008) REUTERS -

Rare sections from one of the Dead Sea Scrolls went on public
display for the first time in over 40 years Tuesday (May 13) at the Israel
Museum in Jerusalem.
    Two sections of the "Great Isaiah Scroll", the most complete
biblical Dead Sea Scroll document ever found, features the famous section from
the book of Isaiah, "They shall beat their swords into plowshares"
(Isaiah 2:4).
    The exhibition opened in honour of Israel's 60th anniversary
celebrations, one day before the arrival of U.S. President George W. Bush's
visit to the Jewish state. Bush is expected to attend a reception at  the
Israel Museum and visit the Great Isaiah Scroll exhibition.
    James Snyder, Director of The Israel Museum said the museum was happy
to display a message of peace during the time of Israel's anniversary
celebrations.
    "We have put on display for the first time in 41 years five meters
of the Isaiah scroll, including the important verses of Isaiah's message of
peace, about turning swords into plowshares, and about nations not lifting up
swords against other nations. We felt that for the 60th anniversary of the
State of Israel, this was an important and meaningful message to come from the
Israel Museum to a broad public. We are very pleased that President and Mrs.
Bush are hosting a 60th anniversary celebration reception at the Israel Museum
and that they will have an opportunity to see the Great Isaiah scroll and to
receive this message from us," Snyder said.
   The Isaiah Scroll is one of the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls discovered
in 1947 in a cave near Qumran, on the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea. Of
the 220 biblical scrolls found in the area, the complete "Great Isaiah
Scroll" is one of the best preserved, and the only one containing an
entire biblical book. Tradition says the prophet Isaiah lived in the Holy Land
over 2,800 years ago.
    Dating from 120 BC, it is also one of the oldest Dead Sea Scrolls.
    "The Great Isaiah Scroll is the most important cultural treasure
of the Jewish nation and one of the most important archaeological discoveries
in the 20th century,"     Dr. Adolpho Roitman, Curator Of The Dead Sea
Scrolls said.
    The special exhibit at the Israel Museum will be open to the public
from May 19 through August 30, 2008.