The next best thing to reading the Bible is seeing the Bible come alive … something you can easily do at the 430,000-square-foot Bible Museum that is located just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
With its stunning architecture and airy six-level interior, this spectacular museum allows the Bible to speak for itself while offering visitors the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in the world of both the Old and New Testaments through interactive exhibits and cutting-edge technology.
Comprised of more than 40,000 biblical antiquities, the museum houses one of the world’s largest private collections of rare biblical texts and artifacts. Forty-foot-high brass entrance gates—on which are inscribed the first lines from Genesis taken from the Gutenberg Bible—are the largest of their kind in the world. Even the elevator ride is a spiritual experience, with its walls depicting colorful scenes from the Holy Land.
On the first floor, visitors are treated to a virtual reality tour of notable locations in the Bible, such as the Sea of Galilee and the Temple Mount. Young children will enjoy the low-tech and high-touch “Courageous Pages” that combine fun with learning as they reinforce the theme of courage through a series of games and interactive features.
The second floor demonstrates the Bible’s historical impact on the world—influencing political movements and pop culture. Visitors can witness this impact as actors re-enact pivotal historical figures via a multimedia presentation.
The third flooroffers an overview of the Bible from Abraham through the birth of Israel to Jesus’ ministry and the early church. An award-winning walkthrough presentation of Old Testament Bible stories such as Noah’s Ark, the burning bush, and an escape through the Red Sea are depicted through dramatic displays. There is also a sizable Hebrew Bible section. And for time travelers wanting to feel what everyday life was like in Jesus’ time, they can wander through a first-century home, a local synagogue, and other areas contained in a bustling yet comparatively laid-back village in ancient Galilee.
The fourth-floor exhibit features a biblical history and archaeology presentation that, according to Bible scholar David Trobisch, the museum’s former director of collections, does “not whitewash conflicts in Christian history but explains the arguments that were made at the time.”
The fifth floor’s main attraction is a 500-person amphitheater where sponsored scholarly lectures and Bible-related multimedia performances take place. A separate exhibit space for displays presented by the Israel Antiquities Authority is also housed here.
The sixth and final level of the museum offers a rooftop view of the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. It features stained glass exhibits and a large ballroom that seats 1000 guests. The floor is also home to an impressive artifact research facility and reference library located in an adjacent area.
A trip to the Bible Museum is a highly interactive experience that makes the Bible truly come alive. Beyond its immersive experiences and a hub for scholarly inquiry and theological exploration, it serves as a sacred space for reflection, prayer, and contemplation.
Experience the 430,000-square-foot interactive Museum of the Bible, where the Scriptures come alive in vibrant displays and interactive exhibits.
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visit www.israeladvantagetours.com to make your trip of a lifetime a reality!
