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ON THE COVER: “Belonging to Berekhyahu, son of Neriyahu, the Scribe,” reads the inscription on this bulla, or clay seal impression used to secure a document. The seal belonged to the prophet Jeremiah’s scribe and faithful companion Baruch (Jeremiah 36:3–4), a shortened form of the name Berekhyahu. But an even more arresting impression appears on the upper left edge of the late-seventh- or early sixth-century B.C. bulla—the whorls of a fingerprint, presumably left by the Biblical scribe himself. Seldom does archaeology uncover the name of anyone mentioned in the Bible, let alone such an extraordinary personal detail. We’re pleased to publish this unique treasure, which belongs to a private London collection. P. Kyle McCarter and Hershel Shanks report on this and other finds “discovered” in a recent book that features ancient Hebrew, Phoenician and Aramaic inscriptions held “In Private Hands.”