1. Discovering
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
Qumran: 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 Language Barrier
Here is the editorial I published in Réforme on 2 February.... 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 MoreJerusalem Mentioned in a Plurimillenary Papyrus in the Midst of UNESCO Polemic
I published in The Conversation France a short article on a new papyrus mentioning Jerusalem.... 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 MoreSaga semitica in Pharm’Aviv
Jewish magazine Pharm’Aviv asked me to write a paper, entitled “Saga semitica”: This is not a remix of the famous song by Yannick Noah, “Saga Africa,” whose twentieth bir... Read MoreProjects
→ See more in .Meetings
Does religion still have a future?
I am invited at the APM national convention, whose theme is “Faces of the Future.”... Read MoreMaterial Philology in the Dead Sea Scrolls
I have been invited as keynote speaker at the international conference on Material Philology in the Dead Sea Scroll in Copenhagen on April 3-5, 2014.... Read MoreJewish Religion in Light of New Inscriptions and Papyri
I am in Israel at the invitation of the Bar-Ilan University Jeselsohn Epigraphic Center, which hosts an international conference on Jewish religion in light of new inscriptions and papyri.... Read MoreQualifications
Habilitation 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 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 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 More2. Sharing
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 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 MoreThe Origins of Monotheism Beyond Judaism, Christianity and Islam, in Charenton
I am invited by the city of Charenton-le-Pont, near Paris, as part of its twinning with Israeli city Zichron-Yaacov.... Read MoreCourses
Shalom 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 MoreHebrew and Aramaic Online Courses
Do want to study Hebrew or Aramaic online?... Read MoreAdvanced Aramaic in Paris 2017-18
I am teaching a course of Advanced Aramaic at the Catholic University of Paris, beginning September 25, 2017.... 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 More3. Broadcasting
Here are a few random examples of my interventions in the media: