American Bible museum inks deal with Israeli agency to display rare artifacts related to Holy Land

An upcoming private Bible museum in Washington has signed an agreement with Israel’s Antiquities Authority to display ancient artifacts related to the Holy Land. The museum is expected to open in 2017.

In a statement, the Museum officials said the museum is planning to fill up the entire top floor with priceless items from the Israel Antiquities Authority. The $400 million (AU$546 million) worth Bible Museum is “dedicated to the impact, history and narrative” of the Holy book.

The museum is owned by the Green family, which also owns the Hobby Lobby craft store chain, reports Washington Post. The Greens said the museum is not for preaching but to explain the history and influence of the Bible to its visitors. Besides the collections from Israel, the holdings in the museum will also include the Green Collection of nearly 40,000 objects, comprising texts and artifacts belonging to Biblical times.

“When we set out to build the best new museum in the world, we knew the museum would be even better if we joined forces with some of the greatest collections anywhere,” said Cary L. Summers, the museum’s president.

According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the display will also include the entire Dead Sea scrolls collection. Prominent among the Holy Land artifacts in the museum will be rare biblical texts and cuneiform tablets dating back to the time of Abraham, Torah scrolls and rare Bibles.

Visual experience

The Israel Antiquities Authority, in a statement, added that the Washington museum will use cutting-edge techniques such as holograms and virtual reality to offer the guests a great visual experience of Bible anecdotes.

“The historic collaboration of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Museum of the Bible will serve as a showcase for the nation's treasures and excite millions of visitors each year as they meet tangible evidence from archaeology and the history of the land of Israel - the cradle of Old and New Testaments,” said Israel Hasson, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, reports Christianty daily.

Hasson added that the most recent discoveries of Israel's ancient era will also be on display, near the museum's entrance, covering more than 5,300 square feet of space. According to the official, it will be the largest ever Israeli collection of artifacts being sent overseas. What is unique about the collection will be its two million relics from the Canaanite period and First and Second Temples.

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