Alan Millard

Alan Ralph Millard (1937–2024) was a distinguished British biblical scholar, epigrapher, and archaeologist known for his expertise in ancient Semitic languages, Akkadian cuneiform, and scribal practices in the ancient Near East. His academic contributions have significantly advanced the understanding of ancient inscriptions and the historical context of biblical texts.

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Academic Career and Education

Alan Millard earned an MPhil focusing on the *Atrahasis* epic at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, under the mentorship of D.J. Wiseman in 1966. He served as the Rankin Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Ancient Semitic Languages and was an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Liverpool, where he taught since 1970. Prior to his tenure at Liverpool, Millard was a librarian at Tyndale House, Cambridge, from 1964 to 1970, and worked as a research assistant at the British Museum from 1961 to 1964. Additionally, he held a visiting professorship in biblical archaeology at the IBSTE International School of Theology in Castelldefels, Barcelona, and was a fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1984.

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Major Works and Contributions

Alan Millard's scholarly output includes significant contributions to the fields of epigraphy and ancient Near Eastern studies. His major works include:

• *Atra-ḫasīs: The Babylonian Story of the Flood* (with W.G. Lambert and Miguel Civil, 1969/1970), which explores ancient Mesopotamian flood narratives.

• *Treasures from Bible Times* (1985), a work that blends archaeological findings with biblical history.

• *Discoveries from the Time of Jesus* (1990), which examines archaeological evidence from the first century.

• *Reading and Writing in the Time of Jesus* (2000), focusing on literacy and scribal practices during the biblical era.

• The Tell Fekheriye bilingual inscription (with Ali Abou-Assaf and Pierre Bordreuil, 1982), which offers insights into Old Aramaic and Assyrian languages.

• *The Eponyms of the Assyrian Empire 910–612 BC* (1994), a detailed study of Neo-Assyrian chronology.

Millard also made significant archaeological contributions as an epigraphist at sites such as Tell Nebi Mend, Tell Rif'at, and Petra, and published findings on Aramaic inscriptions from Nimrud.

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Organizational Affiliations and Public Engagement

Alan Millard served as Vice-Chairman of the British School of Archaeology in Iraq and actively engaged with Tyndale House fellows post-1970. He also participated in educational initiatives like Seminar at Sea in 2010 and contributed to the translation of the New International Version Bible, enhancing public understanding of biblical texts.

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Theological Stance and Presuppositions

Alan Millard was associated with the Plymouth Brethren, an evangelical Christian group. His theological commitments influenced his scholarly interests, particularly in areas like scribalism and literacy within biblical contexts. His work is valued within conservative evangelical scholarship for its integration of archaeological and linguistic insights with biblical studies.

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Impact on Biblical Studies

Millard's work has been influential within evangelical circles, particularly in the study of ancient inscriptions and the historical context of biblical texts. His publications are widely respected for their thorough scholarship and have contributed to a deeper understanding of the ancient Near East and its relevance to biblical history.

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Critique and Reception

Alan Millard's scholarship is well-regarded for its meticulous approach and integration of epigraphic and archaeological evidence. While primarily influential in evangelical and biblical scholarly communities, his work is also respected for its academic rigor in mainstream archaeology. His evangelical beliefs were noted, but peers affirm that these did not compromise his scholarly objectivity. No significant controversies are associated with his work, and he is appreciated for urging caution in interpretative arguments.

Recent publications continue to reflect his commitment to detailed scholarship and his ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to both academic and public audiences.

See also: Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Biblical Archaeology

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