P. Feinberg 1 (Ra 842), Fragment of 1 Samuel 23–24

Collection ID

PAP.000504.1-.5

Type

Papyrus

Date

ca. AD 300–400

Geography

Egypt

Language

Greek

Medium

Ink on Papyrus

Dimensions

504.1: 2.2 × 1.2 in. (5.5 × 3 cm) 504.2: 2.5 × 1.3 in. (6.5 × 3.2 cm) 504.3: 0.9 × 0.5 in. (2.2 × 1.2 cm) 504.4: 0.7 × 1.1 in. (1.8 × 2.7 cm) 504.5: 0.6 × 0.6 in. (1.5 × 1.6 cm)

Exhibit Location

On View in The History of the Bible, The Written Tradition

These 1 Samuel (1 Kingdoms) fragments are among the earliest known witnesses to 1 Samuel in Greek. When Lawrence Feinberg published them in 1969, he stated they were “the first papyrus fragments of 1 Kingdoms to be discovered.” While the two larger fragments have been identified as 1 Samuel 23–24, the three smaller fragments remain unidentified.

Created around the 4th century AD in Egypt. Purchased in 1966 by Lawrence Feinberg in Cairo, Egypt.[1] Sold at auction in 2012;[2] Acquired in 2012 by Art-Levant Antiquties [sic; per invoice] (Khader M. Baidun and Sons); Purchased in 2013 by Green Collection, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Donated in 2014 to Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.

Notes: [1] Lawrence Feinberg, “A Papyrus Text of I Kingdoms (I Samuel) (P. Feinberg 1),” Harvard Theological Review 62 (1969): 352. [2] Christie’s June 13, 2012, sale, “Valuable Printed Books and Manuscripts,” lot 19.

Published References:

Lawrence Feinberg, “A Papyrus Text of I Kingdoms (I Samuel) (P. Feinberg 1),” Harvard Theological Review 62 (1969): 349–356.

Museum of the Bible Publications:

Bethany Jensen and A. Josiah Chappell, “The Legacy of Christian Egypt: 11th International Congress of Coptic Studies” (Oklahoma City, OK: Museum of the Bible, 2016).

Jennifer Atwood and Stacey L. Douglas, eds. Passages: Exploring the Bible in Four Movements—An Exhibition Guide (Museum of the Bible, 2015).

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