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The $5M Sotheby’s Sale of the World’s Oldest Ten Commandments Tablet: A Testament to Ancient Faith & Modern Fascination
Edited by: Fern Sidman
The oldest inscribed stone tablet of the Ten Commandments, dating to the Late Roman-Byzantine period (circa 300–800 CE), made headlines at Sotheby’s New York when it sold for an astonishing $5,040,000. The marble artifact far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $1–2 million after ten minutes of intense global bidding. The successful anonymous buyer intends to donate this monumental piece of history to an Israeli institution, ensuring its preservation and accessibility to scholars and the public.
Sotheby’s just sold the “oldest inscribed stone tablet” of the Ten Commandments, dating to the Late Roman-Byzantine period (ca. 300-800 CE), for $5m, more than doubling its $2m high estimate. pic.twitter.com/cXp0b8Mm2u
— Primary Yellow (@primaryyellowx) December 18, 2024
Discovered in 1913 during railroad excavations along the southern coast of the Land of Israel, the 115-pound marble tablet is the only complete example of its kind known from antiquity. Its Paleo-Hebrew inscriptions link it directly to the Samaritan Decalogue, making it a tangible connection to ancient religious traditions that have profoundly influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This extraordinary artifact is more than an archaeological find—it is a testament to the enduring power of the Ten Commandments as a cornerstone of global ethical and spiritual beliefs.
The tablet’s remarkable journey began as a paving stone, where it was obscured by centuries of wear and disregard. In 1943, leading archaeologist Dr. Jacob Kaplan identified its significance as a rare Samaritan Decalogue. This discovery revealed an ancient religious directive unique to Samaritan tradition: the commandment to worship on Mount Gerizim, a sacred site for the Samaritan community. Kaplan’s groundbreaking findings were published in the Bulletin of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society in 1947, cementing the artifact’s historical importance.
Unlike other Ten Commandments inscriptions, this tablet features only nine biblical commandments and replaces the directive to worship on Mount Zion with a unique Samaritan injunction to worship on Mount Gerizim. This deviation underscores the theological differences between Samaritans and mainstream Jewish traditions, offering invaluable insights into the complex religious landscape of the ancient Near East.
Since Dr. Kaplan’s initial publication, the tablet has been the subject of extensive scholarly examination. Over the decades, it has been featured in numerous academic articles and books, including a recent study published earlier this year. Researchers have hailed the artifact as a critical resource for understanding ancient Samaritan practices, the evolution of biblical texts, and the socio-religious dynamics of the Late Roman-Byzantine period.
The Sotheby’s auction drew global attention, with fierce competition among bidders reflecting the artifact’s unparalleled historical and cultural value. The anonymous buyer’s commitment to donating the tablet to an Israeli institution ensures that it will be preserved and studied for generations to come, fostering a deeper understanding of the ancient world.
The sale of the world’s oldest inscribed Ten Commandments tablet shines a spotlight on the timeless relevance of the principles it represents. As both a historical artifact and a symbol of faith, it bridges the gap between ancient traditions and contemporary efforts to preserve cultural heritage. Its journey from a forgotten paving stone to a multimillion-dollar treasure serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of the Ten Commandments and their profound impact on humanity.
