The Lost Book of Moses: The Hunt for the World’s Oldest Bible

This concise volume documents the little-known story of Moses Wilhelm Shapira, a discredited antiquities treasure hunter who, in 1883, made an amazing announcement. He claimed to have obtained several scrolls that contain a very early version of the book of Deuteronomy, authenticated as dating back to the time of Moses. Such a discovery, if genuine, would revolutionize biblical studies. Scholars have denied Mosaic authorship of this fifth book of the Pentateuch. And although these scrolls do not contain the complete book of Deuteronomy as contained in our modern Bibles, such a discovery would cause a major reconsideration of Mosaic authorship. The subsequent discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls caused scholars to reexamine Shapira’s scrolls. Journalist Tigay takes us through the story of Shapira’s shame, his discovery, and his suicide, tracing each step of this complex and curious story across Europe and through the Middle East. In the end, Tigay offers a dynamic and satisfying account of a strange, remarkable man whose discovery could turn the world of biblical scholarship on its head. (Mar.)