1. Discovering
My field is the Bible and the Ancient Near East. I seek to better know the authors of the Bible, their world, their culture, in order to better understand the message they shared with us. I am interested in ancient oriental civilizations, their history and their religions. I study the origins of Abrahamic religions such as Judaism, Christianity or Islam. I document their history in the light of archaeology et decipher new inscriptions found during excavations. As a matter of fact, it’s my specialty: I travel all over the world, from Israel to the USA through Switzerland and Norway, to decipher ancient documents written in Semitic languages such as Hebrew or Aramaic.
Doing research is fending off the boundaries of knowledge. Venturing into uncharted territory. Jubilating when making an unexpected discovery. To carry out my research projects, I am at the same time historian, historian of religions, epigraphist, linguist, philologist, exegete and Bible scholar. I like teaming up with other scholars and sharing my findings in books or articles. Have a look:
Publications
The Language Barrier
Here is the editorial I published in Réforme on 2 February.... Read MoreQumran: The Dead Scrolls Revealed
The exhibition on the Dead Sea Scrolls at the National Library of France has been a huge success: 30000 visitors, unanimous press, book out of print before the exhibition even ended… By the way,... Read MoreThe Apocrypha in World of Religions Magazine
The latest issue of World of Religions Magazine is devoted to Jewish and Christian apocryphal literature. Editor-in-Chief Florence Quentin asked me to write three papers on this topic, including the i... Read MoreThe Dead Sea Scrolls in Light of Material Philology
Here is a scientific paper that I published in the Revue d’Histoire et de Philosophie Religieuses:... Read MoreA Prophetic Birth May Hide Another
As Christmas is approaching, Christians mention this famous prophecy from Isaiah 7:14: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel. But did you know that the same sect... Read MoreA New Ostracon Mentioning Biblical Makkedah
I’ve just published a new inscription mentioning biblical Makkedah. It is written in Aramaic and dated to the fourth century BCE. It is an “ostracon,” i.e. a pottery shard recycled i... Read More→ See more in Publications.
Projects
Qumran: Uncovering the Dead Sea Scrolls. Exhibition at the National Library of France
For the first time in its history, the National Library of France will host an exhibition on the Dead Sea Scrolls! This unprecedented event will take place on April 13 – July 11, 2010, and has been ... Read MoreEpigraphic Mission to Norway
Did you know that there are unpublished Dead Sea Scrolls in Norway? I have been invited by the University of Agder, in Kristiansand to come January 13–18, 2013 and work on these extraordinary Hebrew... Read MoreUniversity Institute of France
Every year, an international jury selects about a hundred professors to join the University Institute of France (IUF). For five years, IUF members are relieved of two thirds of their classes, receive ... Read More→ See more in Projets.
Meetings
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Samaritan Pentateuch
I will host an international conference on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Samaritan Pentateuch on May 26-27.... Read MoreQumran: Uncovering the Dead Sea Scrolls. Exhibition at the National Library of France
For the first time in its history, the National Library of France will host an exhibition on the Dead Sea Scrolls! This unprecedented event will take place on April 13 – July 11, 2010, and has been ... Read MoreThe Dead Sea Scrolls, Innovative Technologies, New Material
I have been invited for an international symposium on the Dead Sea Scrolls in Oslo on June 15-17, 2015!... Read More→ See more in Meetings.
Qualifications
University Institute of France
Every year, an international jury selects about a hundred professors to join the University Institute of France (IUF). For five years, IUF members are relieved of two thirds of their classes, receive ... Read MoreAuxiliary of the Academy of Inscriptions and Fine Letters
The Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Inscriptions and Fine Letters informed me that I have been appointed auxiliary of the Academy.... Read MoreHabilitation to Supervise Research
On June 3, 2010, I received the “Habilitation to Supervise Research” Degree, which enables me — for example — to direct Doctoral (PhD) students. During the public defence, I presented ... Read More→ See more in Qualifications.
2. Sharing
Teaching is nourished by research, and vice versa. That’s how I conceive my courses and conferences, whether at the University or for the general public. I love to share my findings and my expertise with all those who, like me, are passionate about the Bible and History. I teach at the University of Strasbourg, where I am tenured Associate Professor, but also in other places such as the Catholic Institute of Paris or the Al-Mowafaqa Institute in Morocco. I teach the Bible, History, Ancient Languages and History of Religions.
I am also happy to travel in France and abroad to give conferences for the general public. I am invited by cultural centers, schools, institutes, churches, synagogues and other organizations. I address, without technical terms or double talk, fascinating or polemical topics such as the Bible faced with History, the apocryphal literature or the Dead Sea Scrolls. Here are a few appetizers:
Conferences
The Birth of Founding Texts, in Arcachon
I am invited to give a public lecture on the birth of the Bible’s founding texts.... Read MoreThe Bible in light of new ancient Hebrew inscriptions
I am invited by CERE for an online lecture.... Read MoreConference: Jesus between fiction and reality, in Saint-Maur
I am invited to give a public lecture on Jesus in light of history and archaeology.... Read MoreA new group of Palaeo-Hebrew ostraca: Lecture at the French Academy of Inscriptions and Fine-Letters
André Lemaire and I will present at the Academy our research on unpublished Hebrew inscriptions.... Read MoreConference: Forging the Bible, in Arcachon, 12 Nov 2024
The Jewish-Christian Fellowship invites me for a public lecture on fake Bible manuscripts.... Read More→ See more in Conferences.
Courses
Hebrew and Aramaic Online Courses
Do want to study Hebrew or Aramaic online?... Read MoreThe Book of Amos: Seminar at the University of Strasbourg
The Unistra seminar on the Book of the Prophet Amos begins today! This course is intended for second year Master students at the University of Strasbourg‘s Faculty of Protestant Theology. The fi... Read MoreShalom in the Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew word “shalom” (שלום) is usually translated “peace.” But what does it really mean? What is its usage in the Hebrew Bible? Is there a biblical theology of welfare?... Read MoreThrough the Bible 2017-2018
Do you want to study the Bible?... Read MoreTextual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible 2017-18 in Paris
Are there differences between the oldest manuscripts of the Bible? Why? How do they impact our understanding of the biblical text?... Read More→ See more in Courses and seminars.
3. Broadcasting
I love to share my passion for the Bible and History! I am always glad to participate in shows or interviews. Whether on TV, in the press, on the radio or on the Internet, I am happy to shed light on religious news, share the latest scientific discoveries, or debate the interpretation of the Bible.
Here are a few random examples of my interventions in the media:
Television
Interview on National Belgian TV: Does the Bible Still Speak Today?
I am invited by “Protestant Presence” on national Belgian TV La Une, Sunday 11 October 2020 at 10:15.... Read MoreThe Dead Sea Scrolls Enigma on France 5 TV: Live Show “C dans l’air”
The Dead Sea Scrolls enigma will be the focus of France 5 live show “C dans l’air” hosted by Yves Calvi on June 4, 2010 at 5:45 PM. I have been invited, together with specialists of ... Read MoreInterview C8: On the Footsteps of Jesus and The Miracles of Jesus
I am interviewed by C8 for two documentaries on the life and miracles of Jesus.... Read MoreWho Wrote the Bible? On RTS and RMC TV, 4-5 Apr 2021
I was interviewed for a TV documentary entitled “Who Wrote the Bible? The Mystery Revealed,” which will be broadcast on RTS 2 and RMC Découverte, next 4-5 April.... Read MoreSecret Jerusalem: TV Documentary on C8
Do not miss this beautiful documentary film on C8!... Read MoreThe Gospel of Jesus’ Wife on RMC Découverte
Was Jesus married? I answer Anne-Marie Sangin’s questions next Monday on RMC Découverte.... Read MoreJesus: Investigating the Mystery of the Holy Shroud, on RMC Story
I am interviewed by RMC Story on the most controversial relic: the Holy Shroud of Turin... Read MoreTheories on the Holy Graal, 4 Dec 2020 at 9pm on RMC Découverte TV
I was interviewed by RMC Découverte on the Holy Graal.... Read More→ See more in TV.
Radio
Interview: The Birth of Judaism on France Culture Radio
I am invited on France Culture Radio in a live show, broadcast 30 Sept 2019 at 09:00.... Read MoreThe Bible Adventure, on RTS
I was interviewed by RTS on the history of the Bible.... Read MoreToday’s News Guest on RCF Liège
I am “today’s news guest” on RCF Liège Radio!... Read MoreInterview: The Birth of Judaism on France Culture Radio
I am invited on France Culture Radio in a live show, broadcast 30 Sept 2019 at 09:00.... Read More→ See more in Radio.
Press
The Qumran Saga Continues: Interview for Science & Life Magazine
I was interviewed by Science & Life Magazine on recent issues pertaining to the Dead Sea Scrolls, including forgeries.... Read MoreInterview: The Polymath, in the Smithsonian Magazine
The Smithsonian Magazine publishes an article about my research on Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient inscriptions.... Read MoreThe Apocrypha in World of Religions Magazine
The latest issue of World of Religions Magazine is devoted to Jewish and Christian apocryphal literature. Editor-in-Chief Florence Quentin asked me to write three papers on this topic, including the i... Read MoreScience & Life Magazine: The Origins of the Bible
I was interviewed by several journalists with Science & Life Magazine, which dedicated its latest issue to “The Origins of the Bible”.... Read MoreInterview: Israel Palestine, in Science & Life Magazine
I am interviewed by Science & Life Magazine on the history of Israel and Palestine.... Read MoreThe Language Barrier
Here is the editorial I published in Réforme on 2 February.... Read MoreNew York Times: On the Shapira Deuteronomy
The New York Times interviewed me about the famous fragments presented by Shapira as the earliest manuscripts of the Bible.... Read MoreThe Language Barrier
Here is the editorial I published in Réforme on 2 February.... Read MoreThe Qumran Saga Continues: Interview for Science & Life Magazine
I was interviewed by Science & Life Magazine on recent issues pertaining to the Dead Sea Scrolls, including forgeries.... Read More→ See more in Press.
Internet
Interview: The Polymath, in the Smithsonian Magazine
The Smithsonian Magazine publishes an article about my research on Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient inscriptions.... Read MoreWhat Makes This $50 Million Hebrew Bible So Special?
I wrote a paper for The Conversation about the auction of one of the oldest Hebrew bibles.... Read MoreA Biblical King’s Seal Found in Jerusalem
I published an article on The Conversation about the discovery of King Hezekiah’s seal in Jerusalem. Here it is: Le 2 décembre 2015, l’archéologue israélienne Eilat Mazar annonce avoir fait une... Read MoreNew York Times: On the Shapira Deuteronomy
The New York Times interviewed me about the famous fragments presented by Shapira as the earliest manuscripts of the Bible.... Read More→ See more in Internet.
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