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 MoreUses and Abuses of Scripture as Criteria for Proto-Canonicity at the Turn of our Era
Was there a canon of Scriptures at the turn of our era? What can we learn from various uses of Scriptures in ancient Judaism and early Christianity?... 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 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 MoreProjects
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 MoreFrench-Israeli Maimonides Hubert Curien Grant
The research project that I developed with Esther Eshel has been awarded the French-Israeli Hubert Curien Maimonides Grant!... Read MoreMeetings
The Relations Between Israel and Aram in the Biblical Period
I will be in Leipzig on June 5, 2016 for an international conference on “The Relations Between Israel and Aram in the Biblical Period.”... Read MoreThe 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 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 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
Studies in Second Temple Judaism: A Global Enterprise, 10–13 January 2022
I have been invited to chair Session 7 of the international conference on “Studies in Second Temple Judaism: A Global Enterprise.”... Read MoreTo Loot Or Not To Loot, in Helsinki, 10 Nov 2020
I will give a paper at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies next Tuesday, 10 November 2020.... Read MoreThe Quest for the Oldest Manuscripts of the Bible, Créteil, 8 Feb 2020
The Jewish community of Créteil has invited me to give a public lecture on the oldest manuscripts of the Bible and the latest discoveries, especially the problems of forgery and theft.... Read MoreThe Origins of Islam, in Saint-Maur on 18 Jan 2020
I am invited to give a public lecture on The Origins of Islam in Saint-Maur on 18 January 2020.... Read MoreIn Search of the Oldest Manuscripts of the Bible: Theft, Looting and Forgery – Jerusalem, 18 Dec 2019
I will give a public lecture on the issues of theft, looting and forgery of biblical manuscripts, in Jerusalem on 18 December 2019 (and not 10 Dec, as initially announced).... Read MoreCourses
Advanced Aramaic in Paris 2017-18
I am teaching a course of Advanced Aramaic at the Catholic University of Paris, beginning September 25, 2017.... 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 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 MoreThrough the Bible 2017-2018
Do you want to study the Bible?... Read More3. Broadcasting
Here are a few random examples of my interventions in the media: