Ancient Ten Commandments Tablet Fetches $5 Million At Auction

A rare stone tablet engraved with the Ten Commandments was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for an astounding $5 million on December 18, 2024. This remarkable artifact, weighing 115 pounds (52 kilograms) and written in Paleo-Hebrew script, stirred excitement despite lingering doubts about its authenticity and historical origins.

A Piece of History or Mystery?

The tablet, reportedly discovered in 1913 during railway construction in modern-day Israel, dates back to between 300 and 800 CE according to experts. However, no evidence links it directly to the original Biblical commandments, and some scholars have raised concerns about its provenance.

Brian Daniels from the Penn Cultural Heritage Center cautioned that items from this region often come with fabricated backstories. Similarly, Christopher Rollston, a professor at George Washington University, stated, “We have zero documentation from 1913,” casting further doubt on its authenticity.

Adding to its intrigue, the tablet only features nine of the ten commandments. Curiously, it omits the one forbidding the misuse of the Lord’s name.

A Competitive Auction

Despite these uncertainties, bidding for the artifact surged past Sotheby’s initial estimate of $1-2 million, reaching $4.2 million before closing at $5 million with fees.

Sharon Liberman Mintz, a Sotheby’s specialist in Jewish texts, remarked on the tablet’s uniqueness, noting, “There is no other stone like it in private hands.” Previously housed at the Living Torah Museum in Brooklyn, the tablet will now reside with a private collector.

Expert Opinions and Controversies

While Sotheby’s emphasized the artifact’s scholarly significance, highlighting its presence in academic articles and books, some experts remain skeptical. They question whether the tablet is genuine or a sophisticated forgery designed to captivate collectors.

Regardless of its authenticity, the sale underscores the enduring fascination with ancient artifacts tied to religious history.