FROM: Catholic Herald
The oldest known stone inscription of the “Ten Commandments” is set to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York on December 18. This extraordinary artifact, dating back to the late Roman-Byzantine period, is approximately 1,500 years old. It is described by the auction house as the “only complete tablet of the Ten Commandments still extant from this early era.”
The tablet, known as the Yavne Tablet after the city where it was discovered, is inscribed with twenty lines of text in Paleo-Hebrew script. The inscription closely follows the Biblical commandments found in both Jewish and Christian traditions. However, it omits the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain” and instead includes a different directive: to worship on Mount Gerizim, a sacred site for the Samaritan people. Despite this deviation, the tablet is noted for its significant historical and cultural value, representing one of the earliest and most complete formulations of the Decalogue.
Sotheby’s emphasises the far-reaching influence of the Ten Commandments, which have shaped not only Judeo-Christian religious beliefs but also the foundation of common law, natural law, and personal conduct across civilizations. Richard Austin, Sotheby’s Global Head of Books & Manuscripts, highlights the tablet’s importance as a tangible link to the moral code that helped shape Western civilization.
The marble tablet weighs 115 pounds (52 kg) and stands about two feet tall. It was unearthed in 1913 during railway excavations along the southern coast of Israel, near ancient religious sites. For decades, the tablet’s significance was unrecognized, and it was used as a paving stone in a local home. In 1943, a scholar identified it as a crucial Samaritan Decalogue, and it eventually made its way to Sotheby’s.
Sotheby’s has estimated that the tablet will sell for between $1 million and $2 million. Since December 5, the tablet has been on public display at the auction house in New York. Sharon Mintz, Sotheby’s Judaica expert, expressed hope that the tablet will find its way to a public institution for display, ensuring public access to this remarkable piece of history. However, there are no guarantees, and the highest bidder will ultimately determine its fate.
This auction presents a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of cultural heritage that bridges faiths, regions, and eras, underscoring the enduring influence of the Ten Commandments.