A team of experts has utilized cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology to uncover hidden language patterns and potentially identify authors of ancient biblical texts. Led by Duke University in the US, an international research team delved into the Enneateuch, the first nine books of the Hebrew Bible, employing advanced linguistic analysis and a custom AI model. Through their investigation, they discerned three distinct writing styles, indicating multiple authors or scribal groups behind the sacred texts, which adds new insights to longstanding debates about the Bible’s origins.
According to Thomas Römer, a professor at the Collège de France, the research revealed varying styles among authors, even in the usage of common words like ‘no,’ ‘which,’ or ‘king.’ The project, initially initiated by mathematician Shira Faigenbaum-Golovin in 2010 through an analysis of ancient pottery inscriptions, has evolved to involve a multidisciplinary team of mathematicians, archaeologists, linguists, and computer scientists dedicated to merging scientific methods with biblical studies.
The AI model categorized the text into three main writing styles: the Priestly source, the Deuteronomistic History, and the Book of Deuteronomy itself. While most sections aligned with these categories, the team was surprised to find discrepancies in the Ark Narrative in 1 Samuel, suggesting an additional unknown aspect in the Bible’s composition. The team anticipates applying this methodology to explore other historical documents in the future.
Furthermore, Faigenbaum-Golovin highlighted the potential of this approach in authenticating documents, citing the example of determining the authorship of historical fragments linked to figures like Abraham Lincoln. The study concluded by emphasizing the significance of their findings in shedding light on the authorship of biblical texts and providing a valuable tool for resolving scholarly disputes in biblical studies. The team now aims to extend this methodology to unravel new insights into other ancient texts, emphasizing the fruitful collaboration between science and the humanities in pushing boundaries and fostering innovative research practices. The findings have been published in the journal PLOS One.