For the first time, artificial intelligence has revealed hidden linguistic patterns in the Bible that may rewrite its history.

According to the Daily Mail, A new study analyzing 50 Old Testament chapters found evidence of multiple authors, challenging the long-held belief that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible.

Researchers used AI to scan language usage, tone, and structure across several books traditionally attributed to Moses, including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The investigation pinpointed internal contradictions, varying tones, and repeated narratives as signals of distinct writing styles.

The conventional religious perspective maintains that Moses authored these texts and was present for foundational moments, including the creation story, the great flood, and the delivery of the Ten Commandments. However, computer-based analysis now suggests that different writers contributed to each section over different historical periods.

The team trained AI to examine word frequency, sentence structure, and phrasing, resulting in the identification of three writing styles. These styles were categorized based on their themes: laws and obedience, historical storytelling, and ceremonial rituals.

Technology Unveils Patterns Hidden for Centuries

The three styles detected by AI were labeled Deuteronomic (D), Deuteronomistic History (DtrH), and Priestly (P). Each category highlighted a unique use of language, structure, and subject matter. This led scholars to conclude that separate traditions, times, and authors shaped these texts.

The Deuteronomic style emphasized centralized worship and legal codes, and it was likely composed in the seventh century BCE during religious reforms under King Josiah in Jerusalem. Deuteronomistic writings told stories of Israel's past with frequent moral judgments and were revised many times throughout their development.

The Priestly author group contributed to parts of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, with a focus on formal detail concerning rituals and sacred practices. These writings appeared after the Babylonian exile, around 520 BCE, during the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Rediscovering the Ark of the Covenant’s Origins

The study found that stories involving sacred objects like the Ark of the Covenant also showed signs of multiple authorship. Traditional accounts attribute the creation of the Ark to Moses in the 13th century BCE, who is said to have placed the Ten Commandments inside.

Yet AI analysis of language inconsistencies and structural shifts within Ark-related passages suggested inputs from different authors across centuries. This supports the longstanding but often disputed academic theory that redactors, not one author, shaped the biblical canon over generations.

According to Thomas Römer, a biblical scholar from the Collège de France and co-author of the study, modern ideas of authorship do not apply to these texts. “The original versions of the scrolls were continuously reworked and rewritten by redactors who added, altered, and sometimes also omitted parts of the former texts,” Römer explained.

Controversial Theories Supported by New Evidence

The concept that multiple writers composed the first books of the Bible dates back more than two centuries but has previously been controversial due to religious sensitivities and a lack of precise tools for validation. Until now, such theories have often been questioned for relying on subjective interpretations.

By applying AI to consistent linguistic analysis, researchers hope to move the discussion beyond speculation. The same techniques were extended to nine additional biblical sections with unknown or disputed origins, and similar multi-author patterns were found across those texts as well.

Experts believe this method could ultimately help identify contributors to other ancient documents, including the Dead Sea Scrolls. The ability to detect linguistic "fingerprints" offers a completely new way to engage with historical religious texts.

Rethinking the Role of Moses in Scripture

Historically, Moses has been portrayed not only as a key religious figure but also as the sole author of the Torah, based on references within the texts themselves. Passages like Exodus 24:4 and Deuteronomy 31:9 claim Moses wrote down God's laws directly.

Despite these claims, many modern scholars now view Moses as a symbolic or composite representation rather than a literal author. The AI study strengthens this view by showing the diversity of language and themes inconsistent with a single voice or period.

The Old Testament was written over a millennium, between roughly 1400 and 400 BCE. This extensive timeline aligns with the idea of multiple contributors, each shaped by the political, religious, and cultural context of their time.

Decoding Sacred Texts With Modern Tools

As AI technology evolves, scholars expect new insights into how sacred texts were compiled and edited over time. This could represent a turning point in biblical studies, offering objective tools to settle long-standing historical debates.

“Deuteronomy refers to the last book of the Torah,” said Römer. “There is a wide consensus that the first version of this scroll was written down in the seventh century BCE.” He noted the focus of that version was on centralized worship in Jerusalem, not the broader narratives traditionally attributed to Moses.

Römer added that the priestly writings, which highlight temple rituals and sanctity, were created around 520 BCE. This was when religious leaders attempted to legitimize new worship practices amid the post-exile restoration of Jewish religious life.