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Thursday, May 14, 2026
Great Isaiah Scroll, oldest near-complete biblical book ever found, to be displayed again after Iran war
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleRossella Tercatin is The Times of Israel's archaeology and religions reporter.
The Great Isaiah Scroll, the oldest nearly complete book from the Hebrew Bible ever found, will be back on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem starting from Friday, a spokesperson for the museum says.
A special exhibition called “A Voice from the Desert,” showcasing the 2,100-year-old artifact in its full length of seven meters (23 feet) was inaugurated on February 23. However, only five days later, the scroll was moved to a safe place as the US and Israel launched a campaign against Iran to degrade the Iranian regime’s military capabilities.
The current exhibit allows visitors to view the scroll in a climate-controlled room, accessible to no more than 25 people at a time. Visitors are required to book a time slot in advance.
The scroll will be on display until August 31, 2026.
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