As a biblical scholar with a deep interest in the history of religious texts, I am often asked about the oldest known Bibles. The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the most significant and oldest manuscripts of the Christian Bible. It is a 4th-century AD Greek manuscript that contains the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha. This manuscript is particularly notable for its completeness and its age, making it one of the earliest copies of the Christian scriptures.

The Codex Sinaiticus was discovered in the 19th century and has been the subject of much scholarly attention. It is named after the Saint Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, where it was found in the 1840s by a German scholar named Constantin von Tischendorf. The manuscript was subsequently taken to Russia, where it was studied and preserved. In the 20th century, parts of the Codex were sold to the British Museum, and it is now housed there, along with other fragments that have been discovered over the years.

The Codex Sinaiticus is written in Greek, which was the language of the early Christian church. It is a palimpsest, meaning that the text was written on parchment that had been erased and reused. This practice was common in the ancient world due to the scarcity and high cost of parchment. The manuscript is of immense historical and religious significance, as it provides scholars with a window into the early development of the Christian canon and the textual traditions of the Bible.

The British Museum has been hosting exhibitions featuring the Codex Sinaiticus, as reported by The Guardian in 2015. These exhibitions, such as 'Egypt: faith after the Pharoahs,' offer the public an opportunity to view this ancient manuscript and learn about its history and significance. The display of the Codex Sinaiticus is a testament to the enduring legacy of this important religious text and its place in the cultural and spiritual heritage of the world.

In conclusion, the Codex Sinaiticus stands as one of the oldest and most important manuscripts of the Christian Bible. Its age, completeness, and the circumstances of its discovery make it a treasured artifact in the field of biblical studies. The manuscript continues to be a source of fascination and study for scholars and the general public alike, offering insights into the early Christian church and its sacred texts.

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The world's oldest bible -C dating back to the 4th century AD -C is to go on display at the British Museum. The Codex Sinaiticus, which is handwritten in Greek, will be part of an exhibition called 'Egypt: faith after the Pharoahs' from October to February, The Guardian reported.Aug 26, 2015read more >>