The Bible In Paintings, #121: GREATEST HITS! Volume 2

Bing Images | c. 2200 BC -- c. 95 AD | by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Hebrews 11:6]

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GREATEST HITS vol. 2:
A PERSONAL ALBUM

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Back when cameras used film, on a rainy day you’d take out your shoebox full of photos, pick out the “keepers” and mount them in a sturdy photo album—to be treasured later and grabbed in the event of a fire. These days I expect that digital cameras and smartphones have complicated that a bit—now I suppose you have the drugstore make an album for you.

I’ve created a photo album like that for myself right here. In compiling this series I’ve posted roughly 4,000 images, and having done the work I’d like to keep my favorites for future review. This is the second volume. I went back through threads 55-100 to collect them. These images jumped out at me. It’s sort of a “Greatest Hits” compilation, and you’re welcome along for the ride.

I know very little about “art,” other than knowing what I like. Intuitively, I like all of these; but I thought it might be fun to try to articulate my feelings into words—so I briefly annotated all 30 with my thoughts. If you want to argue with me, that’s fine, but I hope you’ll actually try to educate me instead.

Perhaps you also have a favorite or several you’d like to share—it’s an open thread, so have at it! Let me know if you need help posting an image. There’s really nothing to it—even I can do it!

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1
From #55: BALAAM AND HIS TALKING DONKEY
Not even a dumb donkey would proceed against such an imposing figure as that sword-brandishing angel. But donkeys aren’t actually so dumb: whereas horses thrill to the battle and charge willingly into it, donkeys will not, insisting instead on protecting their rider. It is not horses but sure-footed careful donkeys who carry people down-and-up the narrow, harrowing and treacherous Grand Canyon cliffside trails:
2

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3
By JAMES TISSOT
“The Harlot of Jericho and the Two Spies”
From #57: RAHAB AND THE TWO SPIES
Tissot leaves no doubt as to her trade, although the text is silent on whether or not she actually struck that deal with one or both of those spies. But the deal the text does report resounds to this day, and through God’s grace transferred her home from a falling city to the eternal one.

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4
From #57: RAHAB AND THE TWO SPIES
A visual feast: twinkling stars, moonglow, apparently permanent architectural achievement, and three brave souls declining to fall under the rubble.

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5
By JAMES TISSOT
“Crossing the Jordan”
From #58: JOSHUA LEADS ISRAEL ACROSS THE JORDAN RIVER
Just look at that standing WALL of water! Tissot is saying, “I don’t care who you are—it takes FAITH, and plenty of it, to walk blithely under that.” But those four surely have it: note how relaxed and unhurried they are.

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6
From #59: ISRAEL MARCHING MARCHING MARCHING AROUND JERICHO
God’s remaining angels are universally good. That is so wonderful, considering this one’s fearsome appearance. Know when you’re licked.

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7
From #61: PAINTED BIBLES!!! – 1st ILLUMINATED INTERLUDE, THE BOOK OF KELLS
Of all the page photographs, this one is by far the most vivid, bold and brilliant.

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8
by ANNE YVONNE GILBERT
From #67: DEBORAH AND BARAK WIN A WAR
Barak has arrows and spears and helmet and shield. Deborah has dagger, sword, braids and faith. Together, they’re all set.

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9
by SALOMON DE BRAY
“Jael, Deborah and Barak”
From #67: DEBORAH AND BARAK WIN A WAR
Look at Jael and just ask yourself: “Is that someone I want to mess with?”

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10
MAARTEN VAN HEEMSKERCK
“Gideon Thanks God for the Miracle of the Dew”
From #69: GIDEON’S ADVENTURES, Part 1: ANGEL, ALTAR, FLEECE
What an overwhelming feeling it is when one KNOWS God has answered: gratitude, awe, hope….

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11
From #68: JAEL AND HER “TENT-PEG THROUGH THE NOGGIN” TRICK
The painting which launched this Bible-art series, as explained in post #68.

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12
by GUSTAVE DORÉ
“Gideon Choosing His Soldiers”
From #70: GIDEON’S ADVENTURES, Part 2: CHOICE, TRUMPETS, CONQUEST
A perfect picture, and a woodcut at that. Gideon is highlighted prominently on horseback among the many, many soldiers, who all seem thirsty. The water glistens and ripples so realistically. The overall composition draws the eye to every feature, and ultimately to the far hills where 300 will go.

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13
JAMES TISSOT
From #73: SAMSON GETS A WIFE: AHHH, MARRIED LIFE!
Nothing says “puzzlement” like the looks on these faces. They have nary an inkling nor a clue. Tissot has captured “bewilderment.”

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14
From #77: SAMSON AND DELILAH, Part 2
This artist’s talent is breathtaking. Samson looks so real, as does she, calling for someone with a razor. His hair is luxuriant, so obviously a source of pride—but not for long….

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15
by JAN LIEVENS “Samson and Delilah”
From #77: SAMSON AND DELILAH, Part 2
“This fellow has killed over a thousand of us, and you want me to do WHAT?”

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16
From #77: SAMSON AND DELILAH, Part 2
The lighting is unsurpassed. Samson’s new captivity is brightly on display, while Delilah is now already receding into background.

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17
by JOHN LINNELL
“Noah: The Eve of the Deluge”
From #79: MISCELLANY 2
The labor of 120 years—no one aside from God has exceeded it—sits atop the hill, ready. Will the flood really come and float it, drowning all others? Tomorrow will tell. How can we possibly sleep tonight?

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18
“Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5
From #79: MISCELLANY 2
As Abraham realizes the enormity of God’s promise after a lifetime of childlessness, he rejoices in a way he never has before.

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19
by YORAM RAANAN
“Jacob’s Dream”
From #79: MISCELLANY 2
WILD BLUE YONDER!!!

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20
by KYRA MARKHAM
“Ruth, Naomi and Orpah”
From #81: RUTH, Chapter 1
Naomi was devastated, and Markham shows that. Ruth’s empathy and support are obvious.

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21
by SUZI DENNIS
“Ruth & Naomi” – collage
From #82: RUTH CLINGS TO NAOMI
Clever, colorful, on-point.

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22
by CHANA HELEN ROSENBERG
“Ruth Gleaning”
From #83: RUTH GLEANS
Rainbows appear once the rain stops. Ruth’s rain of tears ceased once she found a way to provide for Naomi and herself, by gleaning.

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23
From #85: RUTH PROPOSES, BOAZ ACCEPTS!
Of all the paintings depicting their midnight discussion, this splendid image gets it most right: dark, starry, surrounded, hushed, earnest.

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24
by CHANA HELEN ROSENBERG
“The Sandal Ceremony”
From #86: BOAZ REDEEMS & WEDS RUTH; BABY OBED!
A bird’s-eye view of the sandal ceremony emphasizes our great distance now from that vital event—yet, as always with Chana, it remains vibrantly colorful.

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25
by JOHN AUGUST SWANSON “The Story of Ruth”
From #87: RUTH ART “SPECIALTIES”
A marvelous summary of the book.

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26
From #88: HANNAH’S MISERY, AND HER PRAYER
This artist understands how profound is Hannah’s sadness and zooms in close to block out everything else. Now we understand, too.

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27
by PIETER LASTMAN
“Lamentation over the Body of Abel”
From #91: MISCELLANY #4
We still lament Abel’s death. What a shock that must have been to his parents and younger siblings, and how important and clever of Lastman to portray the impact on this unique family of what may have been the first human death. It seems easy to leap onto his canvas to commiserate with them.

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28
From #92: ARK, ARK — WHO’S GOT THE ARK?
“The Ark of the Covenant in Dagon's House”
This one just makes me laugh: NO ONE can stand up to Yahweh. Don’t even try!

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29
by MICHELANGELO
“David”
From #98: SAMUEL MEETS DAVID
No words needed.

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and finally

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30
From #107: DAVID, ABIGAIL, AND NABAL THE FOOL
Nabal the Fool was a real horse’s ass, and
this artist merely told the full story in one picture.

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֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎
֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎

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SNEAK PEEK: Next time,

GOD WISES UP
SOLOMON, WHO PROMPTLY
CUTS A BABY IN HALF

If you're sensing the Holy Spirit is suggesting
that you read ahead, we'll be in 1^ST KINGS 3

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֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎
֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎

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R E S O U R C E S

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Links to three masters who painted Biblical scenes prolifically:

REMBRANDT HARMENSZOON van RIJN

GUSTAV DORÉ
241 wood engravings for
La Grande Bible de Tours

JAMES TISSOT
180 watercolors depicting Bible scenes

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Links to two Bibles with comprehensive illustrations:

The Art Bible (1896)

The Maciejowski-Morgan Bible (c.1245)

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This series keeps moving from one Bible passage to another,
so here is a fascinating and enjoyable link to assist in following along:
BIBLE TIMELINE

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Here are links to the
PREVIOUS 120 POSTS IN THIS SERIES
with descriptive titles to assist you in finding those which interest you

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Finally, what God did to initiate The Bible In Paintings:
HOW GOD STARTED THIS SERIES
BY SHOWING ME JUST ONE PICTURE

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SPECIAL THANKS
to FReeper left that other site,
who allowed God to make her His conduit
for incomparable enthusiasm, encouragement,
education, advice and technical assistance!

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NOTES ON MY SELECTION CRITERIA

Q u a l i t y The Bible and its Author are my focus, not the art:
this is The Bible in Paintings, not “Great Paintings” nor even “Good Paintings.” So, works need not be masterpieces to qualify for inclusion here—they don’t need to be housed at the Louvre nor auctioned by Sotheby’s. They only need to illustrate successfully some aspect of the Biblical text or, frankly, just tickle my fancy, which I'm asking the Holy Spirit to guide. Often, artists misrepresent the Scripture, but unless the error is material, licentious or heretical I usually include the artwork, trusting that the Spirit is perfectly capable of defending Himself. So, with such forgiving filters, it means that you're seeing practically everything I'm finding.

P a c i n g

The pace may seem appallingly snail-like
to those eager to see their favorite events illustrated. My commission is to search for art on each Bible passage in sequence: if I find enough, then it becomes the next installment, even if undramatic; but where there is little or no art, that Bible passage goes untold here. The Bible is a thick book, as you know; but we'll get there eventually, Lord willing—this is His project, after all. Always remember:
love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control is a fruit of the Spirit!

S e q u e n c i n g

The Protestant Canon does not (indeed, it cannot)
follow a strictly chronological sequence. There are many examples where, for God's good purposes, stories are told out-of-order. Nevertheless, for the sake of simplicity, clarity, and my sanity, I have chosen to proceed linearly and methodically from Genesis onward, illustrating each Bible passage as we come to it. Where two passages cover the same incident I omit the second telling, excepting the four Gospels which I treat synoptically. Now, onward!

Art is merely the Toy Department of Bible study,
so I’m just having fun here—I hope you are, too!
Thank you for your understanding.

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YES, WE DO HAVE A

P I N G… .L I S T

for "The Bible In Paintings" series

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To be alerted to each new posting,
either reply here or FRmail me.

No contracts, startup charges or monthly fees;
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[Hebrews 11:6]

At the Holy Spirit's prompting, I am surveying "Bible art" to give God glory, as many of these artists have done, and for my own amusement and learning; and I thought others might enjoy it and be blessed by it, too. My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to-right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills. Back soon with another.

The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!

But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is being filmed right now. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year’s viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.

Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: “Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast.” Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I’ve ever spent (I don’t recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 43 years ago).

[Hebrews 11:6]

……... .

F o r . . y o u r

CONSIDERATION

ENJOYMENT

& BLESSING

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[left that other site]

Good Morning, Dan.

Thanks for this uplifting Thread!

[Hebrews 11:6]

Top o’ the morning to you, Mary-Lou! “Uplifting” = “full of hot air.”

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Dan - a beautiful array of Biblical Art!

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

"God save all here!"

[Hebrews 11:6]

Very nice new signature line, Tom! Wonderful sentiment.

[spankalib]

#5 – Crossing the Jordan – Tissot has the ark-bearers all ‘in step’! “We will carry the ark through this awesome event, and we will do so with dignity and order!”

#17 – Noah: The Eve of the Deluge – The gazes of the main characters are directed to? The clouds which ‘feel’ like they’re gathering. Clouds which…no one had ever seen before!

Your comment about Delilah fading away inspired me :)

[Hebrews 11:6]

We all know the feeling of finally arriving at Christmas morning, graduation, wedding day.... But none of us has waited a century.The IDEA, of imagining what it must have felt like to Noah and the rest after 120 years, was genius. It’s almost irrelevant how well he pulled it off.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Thanks so much! I missed some of these and they’re all great. I also liked your personal comments.

[Hebrews 11:6]

It’s not according to Hoyle to post my personal favorites and then not explain why I like them. I’ll probably do it again in a couple of months. You can add your own as you wish....

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Thanks so much! I missed some of these and they’re all great. I also liked your personal comments.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I believed you initially. Now, I’m certain.

[Maudeen]

Loved the review!

[Hebrews 11:6]

Very interesting, Pat, that you used the word “review” just now. About two hours ago God gave me a brand-new concept for a comprehensive Review that is very exciting to me, one that I think you’ll appreciate, too. I’ve already created the template, and I will commence assembly just as soon as I’ve run that queen back to Sheba tomorrow.