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oldest hebrew bible

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May 23 Blog

Errors in the Masoretes’ “Original” Hebrew Manuscripts of the Bible?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

The Hebrew Bible today differs from the Bible manuscripts of the first millennium B.C.E. How do we identify alterations? Learn why critical editions of the Bible are essential.

arad-ostraca

Nov 29 Blog

When Was the Hebrew Bible Written?

By: Robin Ngo

When was the Hebrew Bible written? Ostraca with Hebrew inscriptions excavated from the Iron Age fortress at Arad in Israel may provide clues, say researchers from Tel Aviv University.

ashkar-gilson-manuscript

Nov 1 Blog

What Is the Oldest Hebrew Bible?

By: Jennifer Drummond

The oldest Hebrew Bible texts are the Dead Sea Scrolls (c. 250 B.C.E.–115 C.E.), but the most nearly complete copies of the Hebrew Bible are codices from a thousand years ago. What happened in the period between these two discoveries? The Ashkar-Gilson Manuscript fills the gap in our knowledge of this interim period.

chagall-song-of-songs

Oct 8 Blog

The Song of Songs: Love Is Strong as Death

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) from the Hebrew Bible is a love song beyond compare—although it has been compared to everything. Some have deemed it lewd entertainment. Others have sung its praise.

Sep 30 Blog

Why Did Early Christians Prefer the Codex to the Bookroll?

By: Marek Dospěl

Evidence shows that preserved early Christian manuscripts are more often codices than the then-established bookrolls. Why?

aleppo-codex

Nov 27 Blog

The Aleppo Codex

By: Jennifer Drummond

The world’s oldest Hebrew Bible, the Aleppo Codex, is missing pages—and not just a couple leaves, but four of the Five Books of Moses! What happened to them?

ein-gedi-bible-scroll1

Apr 9 Blog

Book of Leviticus Verses Recovered from Burnt Hebrew Bible Scroll

By: Robin Ngo

A burnt ancient scroll found 45 years ago has finally been deciphered thanks to advanced digital technology. The scroll was revealed to contain verses from the Book of Leviticus.

temple-scroll

Sep 4 Blog

The Evolution of Biblical Hebrew

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Did the language of the Bible—Biblical Hebrew—evolve over time? Professor Avi Hurvitz argues there are three distinct forms of Biblical Hebrew, each one corresponding to certain parts of the Bible and other ancient texts.

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