Frank Moore Cross (1921-2012) was an American biblical scholar and historian who made significant contributions to the field of Near Eastern studies. He is best known for his expertise in the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient Israelite religion, and the Hebrew Bible.
Cross was born in 1921 in Ross, California. He obtained his doctoral degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Johns Hopkins University in 1950. He subsequently held numerous prestigious positions in academia, including teaching at Harvard University, where he ultimately became the Hancock Professor of Hebrew and Other Oriental Languages.
Cross's primary area of research centered around the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of ancient Jewish texts discovered between 1947 and 1956 near the Dead Sea. His pioneering work on these scrolls significantly deepened our understanding of the Hebrew Bible and its historical context. Cross's meticulous analysis of the scrolls provided vital insights into the development of Jewish religious and social traditions during the Second Temple period.
In addition to his contributions to Dead Sea Scrolls scholarship, Cross also explored the religious, cultural, and historical aspects of ancient Israel. His holistic approach to the study of Hebrew Bible texts encompassed linguistic analysis, archaeology, and comparative studies with other ancient Near Eastern cultures.
Frank Moore Cross's influential writings and teachings continue to shape our understanding of biblical studies and ancient Israelite religion. His dedication to the meticulous study of ancient texts and cultures has left an indelible mark on the field of Near Eastern studies.
