Abstract
The Bible is the best-known book of all times. It is a compilation of writings stretching over a period of 1500 years. Beginning with the Pentateuch and extending to the Johnnanine manuscripts, none of the biblical autographs remain. However, many ancient manuscripts of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles are extant. For the first time, the Smithsonian Institution has collected many of these writings and made them available for public viewing. They were on view at the Smithsonian Institution Arthur M. Sackler Gallery from October 21, 2006 to January 21, 2007, the first time some of the biblical manuscripts have ever been put on public display.