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The Great Isaiah Scroll. Photo: John C. Trevor, PhD. Digital Image: James E. Trevor

Jan 16 Blog

The “Original” Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls

More than 200 Biblical texts written in Hebrew were discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls. How do these ancient Biblical texts compare with the Masoretic Text and the Greek Septuagint in scholars’ search for the most authoritative text of the Hebrew Bible?

Oct 3 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.

Apr 9 Blog

The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls

By: BAS Staff

Do insights from the Dead Sea Scrolls add to the Masoretic text, and if so, should the original Hebrew Bible text be modified based this information? Scholars from both sides of the divide weigh in on this issue.

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?

Jun 11 Blog

First Person: The American Bible Society’s Electronic Inquisition

By: Robert Cargill

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers decided to expand the list of domain extensions. According to BAR Editor Robert Cargill, the one that has created the most problems for Bible-related academic societies is the new .BIBLE domain.

Oct 6 Blog

The Cities That Built the Bible

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Cynthia Shafer-Elliott reviews "The Cities That Built the Bible" by Robert R. Cargill.

Jun 30 Blog

Jesus’ Birthplace Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage List

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

June 29, 2012 update: Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity was confirmed as as the first Palestinian UNESCO world heritage site by a 13-6 vote.

Must-Read Free eBooks

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future

Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel

Who Was Jesus? Exploring the History of Jesus’ Life

Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus

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