Who Authored the Bible? AI Explores the Question

Quick Summary:

• Researchers from the University of Haifa, Duke University, and Collège de France developed an AI algorithm to analyze authorship within the Bible.
• The study examines the Bible’s first five books, focusing on three defined writing schools: Deuteronomy, Deuteronomist History, and Priestly Writings.
• Using word distribution and combinations rather than grammar/style, the AI attributed chapters to specific groups with 84% accuracy compared to established biblical scholarship.
• Findings include distinct styles in parts of the Hebrew Bible like Abraham stories and Book of Esther, suggesting later additions by different contributors.
• Example case: analysis revealed differences between I Samuel (suggesting distinct authorship) and II Samuel (aligned with Deuteronomist history).

Indian Opinion Analysis:
This research showcases how AI can revolutionize academic inquiries into historical texts by resolving long-debated questions on authorship origins. While helping refine literary attribution methods for ancient works like religious scriptures, this technology may influence similar efforts for texts integral to India’s own history-such as sanskrit epics or Puranas-where multiple versions and narrators exist. For India’s scholars specializing in deciphering oral traditions or fragmented historical documents, parallels emerge regarding tracing origins without definitive individual author identification-a challenge compounded by centuries of cultural reworking akin to what this study reveals about biblical narratives.

Read More: BGR