For the first time since 2013, an ancient copy of the Ten Commandments is making its way to the United States.  The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI) features an exhibit entitled “Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition” and will be adding the Ten Commandment Scrolls to its exhibit from April 11 to April 24, 2025. Referred to as 4Q41 in academic circles, the Scroll was discovered in 1952 in what is known as Qumran Cave 4. The Scroll is the oldest existing copy of the Ten Commandments and features Deuteronomy 5:1–6:1, which is a rehashing of the Ten Commandment featured in Exodus 20, as the people of Israel prepare to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Scroll is only allowed to be displayed two weeks out of the year every two years. A press release described the Scroll as, “one of the most significant texts in religious history.”

The display has a special connection with Reagan, who was described as a man of “deep faith” by Melissa Giller, chief marketing officer at RRPFI. “He said that inside the pages of the Bible lie all the answers to all the problems that man has ever known.,” she added. RRPFI President and CEO David Trulio said the past president’s Christian faith was “central to his identity.” “He engaged with Jews and Christians throughout his presidency,” said Trulio, “As we advance his legacy, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to share these remarkable biblical treasures that deepen our understanding of scripture, early religious communities, and the development of major monotheistic faiths practiced today.”

The Library plans to extend its hours during the exhibit, with 1,600 tickets allocated per day. The exhibit showcases eight ancient Jewish manuscripts and over 200 ancient artifacts that date from 250 BC to 68 AD. “Even for visitors who have already experienced this exhibit at the Reagan Library, the Ten Commandments will offer an entirely new and exclusive experience. Interested guests should pre-order tickets as they are expected to sell out quickly,” the Library advised in its release. “Visiting the Scrolls in person really puts us in physical proximity and tangible closeness to these historical artifacts that are at the basis of our culture,” said theology professor John Bergsma in a promo for the exhibit. “And even for those who don’t share those faith traditions, it’s undeniable that the Jewish and Christian tradition has shaped American civilization.”