Israeli museum unveils Jewish prayer book it says is oldest in existence

An ancient prayer book is seen on display at the Bible Lands museum in Jerusalem, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. An Israeli museum Thursday unveiled what it says in the oldest known Jewish prayer book in the world, dating back to the 9th century A.D. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) (The Associated Press)

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Israeli Parliament Speaker Yuli Edelstein looks at an ancient prayer book on display at the Bible Lands museum in Jerusalem, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. An Israeli museum Thursday unveiled what it says in the oldest known Jewish prayer book in the world, dating back to the 9th century A.D. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) (The Associated Press)

A museum worker looks at an ancient prayer book on display at the Bible Lands museum in Jerusalem, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. An Israeli museum Thursday unveiled what it says in the oldest known Jewish prayer book in the world, dating back to the 9th century A.D. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) (The Associated Press)

JERUSALEM – An Israeli museum has unveiled what it says in the oldest known Jewish prayer book in the world.

The Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem says the prayer book has been carbon dated by three experts to 820 A.D. The book is written in Hebrew, contains about 50 pages and is still in its original binding. It went on public display for the first time Thursday.

The book was donated by Oklahoma businessman Steve Green, a devout Christian and owner of one of the largest collections of rare biblical artifacts in the world.

Green says he donated the item because he wanted to "bring our love for the Bible to the land of the Bible."

Green's family plans to create a Bible museum on land near the National Mall in Washington.