Oldest Surviving Old Testament Manuscript Recognized By UNESCO As a World Treasure

By Carlo Monzon
Aleppo Codex
Image of photograph of a now-missing page from the Aleppo Codex taken in 1910 by Joseph Segall and published in Travels through Northern Syria (London, 1910), p. 99. Reprinted and analyzed in Moshe H. Goshen-Gottstein, "A Recovered Part of the Aleppo Codex," Textus 5 (1966):53-59 (Plate I). Wikimedia Commons / Joseph Segall

A manuscript of what is believed to be the original source of the Old Testament has been added by the United Nations Educations, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO into the International Memory of the World Register. Under its new status, this manuscript, called the Aleppo Codex, is now regarded as an official world treasure.

Experts believe the Codex was written around 930 A.D. and originated in Tiberias, a coastal town near the Sea of Galilee, i24 News reported. It then made its way to Jerusalem but was stolen after the Crusaders invaded the city in 1099. It was then brought by Jews to Cairo, Egypt before making its way to Aleppo, Syria during the 14th century. On 1958, the Aleppo Codex was smuggled out of Syria and brought to Israel before making its way to the Israel Museum during the 1980s.

Due to the number of times the Codex moved from different places, a lot of its pages, 190 to be exact, have gone missing. According to experts, these missing pages include four of the five books of the Pentateuch, which is also referred to as the Five Books of Moses in the Bible. The other pages, on the other hand, may contain the books for the sections Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Daniel, Esther and Ezra.

Experts are still debating about the original owner of the Aleppo Codex but filmmaker Avi Dabach, who is looking to create a documentary centering on the ancient manuscript, believes it belonged to the Jewish group who took it out of Syria.

"In the 1960s the Aleppo-Jewish community sued the people who brought the Codex to Israel," he said according to the Christian Post. "The Israel authorities decided to confiscate this item and then, from a position of strength, force on the community an arrangement."

Despite the lack of clear information regarding its origins, the UNESCO still believes that the Aleppo Codex is still an important discovery related to the history of humans. This is primarily the reason it was included in the International Memory of World Register.

The organization noted that although other old biblical manuscripts have been discovered in the past, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which contains texts that describe the origin of Christianity, the Aleppo Codex is still regarded as the oldest and most complete copy pertaining to the Old Testament.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories