These collection of different styles of Crosses is from an assortment of old books, magazines, and postcards. I hope you'll enjoy using these Crosses in your art. Click on the Cross images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Crosses at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Scriptures are from one of the books in my collection. Feel free to use these Scripture images in your artwork. Click on one of the Scripture drawings below to see more details about saving a free Scripture image or about purchasing these Scripture images at a higher resolution.
These Guardian Angels are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Guardian Angels in your artistic endeavors. Click on the Guardian Angel images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Guardian Angels at a higher resolution.
These Christmas Angels are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Christmas Angels in your artwork. Click on the Christmas Angel images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Christmas Angels at a higher resolution.
These Heavenly Angels are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Heavenly Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Heavenly Angel images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Heavenly Angels at a higher resolution.
The word Angel signifies messenger in both the Hebrew and Greek, and is used to denote whatever God employs to execute his purposes, or to manifest his presence or his power. In some passages it occurs in the sense of an ordinary messenger. In others it is applied to prophets, to priests, and to ministers of the New Testament. It is also applied to impersonal agents, as to the pillar of cloud, to the pestilence, and to the winds.
But the name Angels is more eminently and distinctively applied to certain spiritual beings or heavenly intelligences, employed by God as the ministers of His will and usually distinguished as angels of God or angels of Jehovah. In this case, the name has respect to their official capacity as "messengers," and not to their nature or condition.
In the Scriptures angels appear with bodies, and in the human form, and no intimation is anywhere given that hese bodies are not real, or that they are only assumed for the time and then laid aside. It was manifest indeed to the ancients that the matter of these bodies was not like that of their own, inasmuch as angels could make themselves visible and vanish again from their sight. But this experience would suggest no doubt of the reality of their bodies; it would only intimate that they were not composed of gross matter.
This gallery of Angels are from my collection of postcards, old books, and magazines. Feel free to use any of these Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Angel images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Angels at a higher resolution.
These Little Angels are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Little Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Little Angel images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Little Angels at a higher resolution.
These Drawings of Angels are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Drawings of Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Drawings of Angels below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Drawings of Angels at a higher resolution.
These Angel Drawings are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Angel Drawings in your artwork. Click on the Angel Drawings below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Angel Drawings at a higher resolution.
These Angel Graphics are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Angel Graphics in your art work. Click on the Angel Graphics below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Angel Graphics at a higher resolution.
These Religious Angels are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Religious Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Religious Angel images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Religious Angels at a higher resolution.
These colorful Religious Crosses are from my collection of old postcards. Feel free to use these Religious Crosses in your art. Click on the Religious Cross images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Religious Crosses at a higher resolution.
These Drawings of Crosses are from my collection of vintage postcards. Feel free to use these Drawings of Crosses in your art designs. Click on the Drawings of Crosses below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Drawings of Crosses at a higher resolution.
These Christian Crosses are from my collection of vintage postcards. Feel free to use these Christian Crosses in your artistic pursuits. Click on the Christian Cross images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Christian Crosses at a higher resolution.
This Angel Art is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use this Angel Art in your creations. Click on the Angel Art images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one an Angel Art image at a higher resolution.
These Tiny Angels are from my collection of old books, magazines, and postcards. Feel free to use these Tiny Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Tiny Angel images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one of these Tiny Angels at a higher resolution.
This Angel Clipart is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use this Angel Clipart in your artwork. Click on the Angel Clipart below to see more details about saving a free Angel Clipart image or about purchasing the Angel Clipart at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Bible Scripture Quotes are from my collection of old books. Feel free to use these Bible Scripture Quotes in your artwork. Click on the Bible Scripture Quotes below to see more details about saving a free Bible Scripture Quote image or about purchasing the Bible Scripture Quotes at a higher resolution.
This collection of illustrated Bible Verses is from one of my old Bible books. Feel free to use these Bible Verses in your artwork. Click on the Bible Verses below to see more details about saving a free Bible Verse image or about purchasing the Bible Verses at a higher resolution.
These color and black and white Inspirational Bible Quotes are from one of the old Bible books in my collection. Feel free to use these Inspirational Bible Quotes in your artwork. Click on the Inspirational Bible Quotes below to see more details about saving a free Inspirational Bible Quote image or about purchasing the Inspirational Bible Quotes at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Inspirational Bible Verses is from one of the antique books in my collection. Feel free to use these Inspirational Bible Verses in your artwork. Click on the Inspirational Bible Verses below to see more details about saving a free Inspirational Bible Verse image or about purchasing the Inspirational Bible Verses at a higher resolution.
These Famous Bible Quotes, illustrated in grayscale and color, are from my collection of antique religious books. Feel free to use these Famous Bible Quotes in your artwork. Click on the Famous Bible Quotes below to see more details about saving a free Famous Bible Quote image or about purchasing the Famous Bible Quotes illustrations at a higher resolution.
These illustrated images of Inspirational Bible Scriptures are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these Inspirational Bible Scriptures in your artwork. Click on the Inspirational Bible Scriptures below to see more details about saving a free Inspirational Bible Scripture image or about purchasing the Inspirational Bible Scriptures at a higher resolution.
These color and grayscale illustrations of Famous Bible Verses is from one of my antique religious books. Feel free to use these Famous Bible Verses in your art. Click on the Famous Bible Verses below to see more details about saving a free Famous Bible Verse image or about purchasing the Famous Bible Verses at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Biblical Quotes are from my collection of old books. Feel free to use these Biblical Quotes in your artwork. Click on the Biblical Quotes below to see more details about saving a free Biblical Quote image or about purchasing the Biblical Quotes at a higher resolution.
These colored and black and white images of Bible Quotes are from my collection of antique religious books. Feel free to use these Bible Quotes in your artwork. Click on the Bible Quotes below to see more details about saving a free Bible Quote illustration or about purchasing the Bible Quotes at a higher resolution.
These Popular Bible Verses are illustrated in color and black and white. They are taken from from my collection of old religious books. Feel free to use these Popular Bible Verses in your artwork. Click on the Popular Bible Verses below to see more details about saving a free Popular Bible Verse image or about purchasing these Popular Bible Verses at a higher resolution.
In this section you will find a collections of illustrated Prayers taken from an assortment of old Christian prayer books. Feel free to use these Prayers in your artistic endeavors. Click on the Prayers below to see more details about saving a free Prayer image or about purchasing these Prayers at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Daily Prayers are from the book Little Prayers for Little Lips by Elisabeth Robinson Scovil, copyright 1921. Feel free to use these Daily Prayers in your artistic creations. Click on the Daily Prayers below to see more details about saving a free Daily Prayer image or about purchasing a Daily Prayer at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Short Prayers are from the book Little Prayers for Little Lips by Elisabeth Robinson Scovil, copyright 1921. Feel free to use these Short Prayers in your artistic creations. Click on the Short Prayers below to see more details about saving a free Short Prayer image or about purchasing a Short Prayer at a higher resolution.
These Free Angel Graphics are from my collection of old postcards. Feel free to use these Free Angel Graphics in your art projects. Click on the Free Angel Graphics below to see more details about saving a Free Angel Graphic or about purchasing Free Angel Graphics at a higher resolution.
This series of images from the Book of Genesis are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictues from the Book of Genesis in your artwork. Click on the Book of Genesis illustations below to see more details about saving a free Book of Genesis image or about purchasing the images from the Book of Genesis at a higher resolution.
The first story in the Bible is the Creation Story--how the world was made. The beginning of God's labor was the creation of the earth and of heaven, which was the air, or atmosphere, round about the earh, for heaven itself already existed. The earth was without form and in darkness, until by the divine command the sun and moon and stars burst into being and cast their first light upon the new world.
The creation story continued as God divided the waters and made the dry land to appear, and in the latter planted the seed of every kind of tree, grass, and herb, which were made to spring up and yield their fruit to bless the earth, and the creatures which were brought into being. The waters were made to bring forth fish or every species including the great whales and other monsters which belong to the deep. Winged fowls were made to fly above the waters and the earth. Then followed the creation of all manner of beasts and cattle, and things that creep as well, so that on the last day of God's labor the earth was teeming with life, both great and small.
This series of images from of the Creation Story from Genesis are from my collection of old Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Creation Story in your artwork. Click on Creation Story illustations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing images from the Creation Story at a higher resolution.
The record of Moses tells us that the "The Lord God planted a garden eastward of Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed." In the Garden of Eden God made to grow every tree and flower that was beautiful to the sight, and that yielded the most delicious fruits.
In this garden Adam was placed and told to freely eat of everything that pleased him except of the fruit of a single tree that stood in the center of this earthly paradise, and of this he was forbidden to touch. God told Adam that this tree bore fruit which was mortal to the taste, and that if he ate of it the penalty would be death.
After giving possession of the Garden of Eden to Adam, God caused every species of bird, animal, and reptile that He had created to pass before Adam, who gave to each the name by which it should forever be known.
These drawings of the Garden of Eden are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Garden of Eden in your artwork. Click on the Garden of Eden illustations below to see more details about saving free Garden of Eden pictures or about purchasing an image of the Garden of Eden at a higher resolution.
After creating the world, God fashion Adam in His own image, and gave him dominion over every living thing that was on the earth, and made every tree and herb to bring forth fruit for him. But even in the amazing paradise in which Adam lived, he was lonesome for compaionship which nothing that God had yet made could supply. Of all the creatures, Adam alone was without a mate to share the pleasure of Eden with him.
God had compassion on Adam, and caused him to fall into a deep sleep. While Adam slept, a rib was taken from his side, which God fashioned into a woman, and when Adam awoke, the most beautiful of all God's creatures stood before him to be his companion for life.
Adam and Eve lived joyfully in the garden, enjoying every fruit and flower. But within this oasis was a sepent tempter, who was more cunning than any beast of the field. He came to Eve, assuming the appearance of one wise, and tricked her into eating fruit from the forbidden tree, which she then persuaded Adam to eat as well. When God discovered what Adam and Eve had done, he cursed them and drove them out of Eden.
These illustrations of Adam and Eve are taken from my collection of old Bible books. Feel free to use these Adam and Eve images in your artistic creations. Click on the Adam and Eve drawings below to see more details about saving a free Adam and Eve image or about purchasing an image of Adam and Eve at a higher resolution.
These Adam and Eve Pictures illustrate the expulsion of Adam and Eve, and their subsequent joys and suffering. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God cursed Eve to be the heir to great pain and sorrow, and Adam to hard labor in the fields in order to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. Worse still, they were barred forever from the personal prescence of the Lord. Beyond this punishment there was yet a greater one--eventual death.
However, accompanying the curse upon them, came the divine promise of redemption. Eve was told that she should stand forever in opposition to the serpent, the symbol of evil, and that at length a child born of her race should conquer evil. Fortunately their lives were not all suffering. Though Adam had to labor, there were moments of respite, of leisure, of a chastened happiness that returned to the repentant pair, especially with the birth of their two children--Cain and Abel.
These Adam and Eve Pictures are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these Adam and Eve Pictures in your artwork. Click on the Adam and Eve Pictures below to see more details about saving one of the Adam and Eve Pictures or about purchasing an Adam and Eve image at a higher resolution.
After Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden, they began to cultivate the soil, which, though choked with briers and weeds, by hard labor was still made to produce abundantly for their uses. God soon after gave to them two sons, the elder of whom was called Cain and the younger Abel. As they grew up Cain became a tiller of the soil and Abel looked after the flocks, so that Cain and Abel became a great help to their parents.
On one occasion, while working in the the field together and alone, Cain and Abel made sacrifices to God, as there parents had taught them. Abel sacrificed a lamb, and Cain offered a sacrifice of the grain and grasses of the field. Each would have been acceptable to God had they been made in the same loving spirit, but Cain made his offering with a rebellious and sinful heart, while Abel rendered up grateful thanks for the mercies he had received. Thus God was pleased with Abel's offereing and offended with Cain's. Cain became so incensed with Abel that he killed him.
God had witnessed the murder, but he did not kill Cain; instead, he sent him out as a vagabond and outcast upon the world, with a brand upon him that would serve to show to all who should meet him that he was his brother's murderer.
These moving images of Cain and Abel are from my collection of old Bible books. Feel free to use these illustrations of Cain and Abel in your artwork. Click on the Cain and Abel pictures below to see more details about saving a free Cain and Abel image or about purchasing the Cain and Abel drawings at a higher resolution.
Cain was the edest son of Adam and Eve. Perhaps when Cain was born his father and mother still harbored some resentment and bitterness toward God, for the boy grew into a selfish man of sullen mood, stern and fierce of wrath.
The parents taught both him and Abel to worship God, to sacrifice to heaven some portion of their possessions by building altars and burning the offered gifts, so that the smoke rose to the sky. Abel made his offering gladly, so that God was pleased by his pure and trusting faith. But Cain acted as Eve and Adam had in Paradise, with suspicion of the Lord, distrust of His intent, and with secret anger. Therefore God rejected the lip service of Cain and reproved him.
So crime came into the world, as sin had come already. Cain had already sinned in his heart by his anger against God. Now he grew jealous of his brother, and resentful that Abel was honored more than he. In a fit of jealousy, roused by the rejection of his own sacrifice and the acceptance of Abel's, he committed the crime of murder, for which he was expelled from Eden and forced to lead the life of an exile. He settled in the land of Nod, and built a city, which he named after his son Enoch.
These images of Cain are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictues of Cain in your art projects. Click on the illustations of Cain shown below to see more details about saving a free Cain picture or about purchasing the images of at a higher resolution.
When Noah finally opened the window of the ark, he sent out two birds, a raven and a dove, to see if they could find a habitable place. The dove soon returned weary and disappointed, but the raven probably found much food on those bare peaks, for it failed to be seen again.
Noah and his family remained one entire year in the ark. Even after the waters subsided there seemed at first to be nothing but desolation beyond the walls of their refuge. All the fair verdure of the earth had been destroyed; there was no grass upon the fields, no leaves upon the forests, nothing but death and horror everywhere. But this time when he released the dove, she brought him back an olive leaf, and the people on Noah's ark were filled with joy.
This set of Noah's Ark Pictures are from my collection of old Bible books. Feel free to use these Noah's Ark Pictures in your artwork. Click on the Noah's Ark Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Noah's Ark image or about purchasing a Noah's Ark Picture at a higher resolution.
The story of Noah and the Flood continues with the completion of the ark. After all its living freight was gathered inside, Jehovah shut Noah in. There was a solemn pause of seven days before the threatened destruction was let loose. At last the flood came; the waters were upon the earth.
At first, perhaps, the inhabitants of the earth, especailly those who had heard Noah's warnings, were startled by the tremendous storm. Then they must have grown annoyed at the persistent downpour. Then the rivers rose and flooded their banks and crept up into the streets of the cities, and people fled from houses to the hills. Then fear came and chaos broke loose. Rafts were buit; men fought for their possession. And in the midst of it all, the waters reached the ark, until it was lifted above the earth and floated majestically away under the protection of God.
The waters of the flood increased for a period of 190 days and then God made a wind to pass over the earth, so that the waters ebbed. The ark rested on the seventeenth day of the seventh month on the mountains of Ararat. After this the waters gradually decreased till the first day of the tenth month, when the tops of the mountains were seen. However, Noah and his family did not disembark till they had been in the ark a year and a month and twenty days.
These illustrations of Noah and the Flood are from several old Bible books in my collection. Feel free to use drawings of Noah and the Flood in your art work. Click on the Noah and the Flood pictures below to see more details about saving a free Noah and the Flood image or about purchasing an image of Noah and the Flood at a higher resolution.
Noah's first act after leaving the ark was to build an altar and to offer sacrifices. This is the first altar mentioned in Scripture, and the first burnt sacrifice. Then God blessed Noah and his sons and made a covenant with Noah. He sent Noah a sign of that covenant-- the rainbow, an unfailing witness to the truth of God.
We are told that after the flood Noah lived three and a half centuries. He planted a vineyard and one occasion became drunk on wine. His youngest son, Ham, mocked him, but his older sons, Shem and Japheth covered him with a cloak. The next morning, in his anger, Noah cursed Ham and his youngest son Canaan. Ham and his family departed and his descendants peopled the nations of the Euphrates Valley.
These Noah Pictures are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these Noah Pictures in your art. Click on the Noah Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Noah Picture or about purchasing the Noah Pictures at a higher resolution.
The Tower of Babel is only mentioned once in Scripture, and then as incomplete. It was built by the people of Babylon who had become arrogant and presumptuous and defiant of God. It was constructed of bricks and bitumen and was meant to be tall enough to reach the heavens.
God knew he had to chasten the self-assertive spirit of His children. He came down among them and punished them by taking away their power and destroying them as a nation, and scattering them over the face of the earth. The Tower of Babel and the great walled city by which they had hoped to perpetuate their strength, plunged them into dissension. They quarrelled over their work and grew mutually suspicious. Faslehood was bred in the world, and a man's tongue no longer spoke the language of his heart.
This series of images depicting the Tower of Babel are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Tower of Babel in your artistic creations. Click on the Tower of Babel illustations below to see more details about saving a free Tower of Babel image or about purchasing the images about the Tower of Babel at a higher resolution.
God, it seems, meant to test Abraham's obedience in every possible way. The Lord appeared to him with the command to slay Isaac, his younger son, as a sacrifice to prove his devotion to God. Moreover, Abraham was given time to think of all that he was losing. The offering was to be made on Mount Moriah, at the end of a three days' journey from Abraham's southern home.
Abraham and Isaac traveled for three days, and when they were almost at the top of the mountain, Abraham dismissed his attendants, placed wood for the fire on young Isaac's shoulders, and they made their way up the last part of Mount Moriah. Abraham built a rude stone altar on which he bound his son. "And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son."
Suddenly an angel from heaven stayed Abraham's uplifted knife, and bade him spare Isaac. Instead, Abraham seized a ram foraging in the bushes and placed it upon the altar in place of his son. As he did so there came to him in a voice from heaven God's final and greatest promise to him, not only that he should be the ancestor of a mighty race, but also the repetition of his word to Eve, the promise of a Saviour: "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."
On this page you'll find nine images of Abraham and Isaac taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Abraham and Isaac in your artistic creations. Click on the Abraham and Isaac illustations below to see more details about saving a free Abraham and Isaac image or about purchasing the images of Abraham and Isaac at a higher resolution.
Noah's Ark was said to have been made of gopher (cypress) wood, a kind of timber which was used by the Phoenicians for building their vessels because of its lightness and durability. The planks of the ark, after being put together, were protected by a coating of pitch, or bitumen, both inside and outside, to make it water-tight, and provide protection against the attacks of marine animals. Noah's ark contained a number of small compartments for the convenient distribution of the different animals and their food. These were arranged in three tiers, one above another. There was also a means for letting light and fresh air into the ark.
The ark was supposed to have been 525 feet in length, 87 feet in breadth, and 53 inches in height. It was only intended to float on the water, and was not in the proper sense of the word, a ship. It had neither mast, sail, nor rudder; it was in fact, an enormous floating house. The inmates of the ark were Noah and his wife and his three sons with their wives. Noah was directed to also take animals of all kinds int the ark with him that they might be preserved alive.
On this page you'll find eight images of Noah's Ark taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Noah's Ark in your artistic creations. Click on the Noah's Ark illustations below to see more details about saving a free Noah's Ark image or about purchasing the images of Noah's Ark at a higher resolution.
The Abraham Bible story begins in the city of Ur of the Chaldees, in the region of Babylon, which is where God first appeared to Abraham (or Abram as he was originally called). God bade him leave what had become a country of idol worshippers, and journey to the land of Canaan or Palestine, where it seems, there still remained some true followers of the Almighty. In the region of Abraham's youth, even the family of the "first-born" had begun to serve other gods.
The family set out with their flocks for Canaan, but at first they could not stay there; a famine drove them to move onward to Egypt. When they eventually arrived in Canaan, Abraham had become a man of note throughout his world, the wealthy ruler of a great household, and owner of coutless flocks and herds.
After proving himself through various actions, God adopted Abraham as His friend, and made him a double promise: first, that he should be the father of a vast nation, and second, that his nation should drive out the people of Canaan and become possessors of all that beautiful land of Palestine. Abraham made a great sacrifice of slaughtered animals to the Lord, and Abraham fell into a deep sleep, in which God repeated and confirmed to him the twofold promise.
This collection of Abraham Bible illustrations are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of Abraham in the Bible in your artwork. Click on the Abraham Bible pictures below to see more details about saving a free Abraham Bible image or about purchasing the images of Abraham in the Bible at a higher resolution.
One evening as Abraham sat by the door of his tent, the Prophet Abraham received a visit from three angels who were messengers of the Lord. Abraham provided a seat for them, and offered them a supper of calf and cakes of meal. As they feasted together, the Leader of the wanderers repeated God's promise that Abraham's wife, Sarah, should have a son. Sarah, who was ninety years old at the time, laughed at what seemed to her an absurd promise. Prophet Abraham laughed as well, which upset the Lord. So when their son was born less than a year later, the Lord commanded them to name the child Isaac, which means "I laugh." The child became an eternal reminder to his parents of their doubt, and of God's power.
These illustrations of the Prophet Abraham are from several old Bible books in my personal collection. Feel free to use these Prophet Abraham drawings in your artistic creations. Click on the Prophet Abraham images below to see more details about saving a free Prophet Abraham picture or about purchasing a Prophet Abraham image at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine Abraham Images taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Abraham Images in your artistic creations. Click on the Abraham Images below to see more details about saving a free Abraham illustration or about purchasing the images of Abraham at a higher resolution.
The Sarah Images on this page depict many important scenes from Sarah's life: her time in Egypt, her complicated relationship with Hagar and Ishmael, and finally her burial in the cave of Machpelah in Hebron.
Sarah was the wife and half-sister of Abraham, and mother of Isaac. Her name is first introduced in Genesis as Sarai (my princess), but is changed by God to Sarah, (princess) at the same time that Abram's name was changed to Abraham. She died at the age of 127 years, twenty-eight years before her husband. Abraham, who had apparently been away with his flocks, mourned for Sarah.
From the friendly people of Hebron Abraham purchased enough land for a burial place for himself and his family to belong to his heirs forever. His purchase was a single field containing a little orchard surrounding a cave. This was all the ground that Abraham ever personally owned. Here in sadness and solemnity Sarah was laid to rest.
These Sarah Images are from my collection of old Bible books. Feel free to use these Sarah Images in your artwork. Click on the Sarah Images below to see more details about saving a free picture of Sarah from the Bible or about purchasing the Sarah Images at a higher resolution.
Abraham had grown old, eighty-five years, and his wife was but ten years his junior, and they were childless. There seemed little hope that after all the years of waiting, they would yet have children. So Sarah made a noble sacrifice in keeping wit the cutsoms of those days She brought to Abraham a servant of her own, a young Egyptian servant of her own, and she bade Abraham take the Egyptian to also be his wife, so that he might thave the children he desired.
Having Hagar in household was not without its difficulties. She would have had to be very humble to have avoided arousing her mistress's jealous anger. Abraham, with steadfast loyalty, upheld Sarah as his first, his true wife and lifelong comrade. He allowed Sarah to deal with Hagar as she saw fit, and Sarah dealt with her harshly, so harshly that Hagar fled in fear into the wilderness.
An angel came to Hagar as she crouched in weariness beside a well. She was bidden to return to Sarah and submit to her. She was promised a son who should also be the ancestor of a vast people. So she returned to the tents of Abraham, and when her son was born, he was named Ishmael, which means "God hears," because God had heard and comforted her in her distress.
These illustrations of Hagar from the Bible, are from several Bible books in my collection. Feel free to use these pictures of Hagar in your artistic creations. Click on the drawings of Hagar below to see more details about saving a free Hagar image or about purchasing a Hagar picture at a higher resolution.
It was while Abraham dwelt in the domains of Abimelech that God's promise was fulfilled to Sarah and her son was born. His parent were filled with joy. But it was an unhappy day for the poor Egyptian servant Hagar. Sarah saw Hagar's son Ishamel playing and jesting with little Isaac. Or perhaps he mocked and teased the child, for Sarah flared into anger against Hagar for a second time, and demanded that she be driven out of the encampment. Abraham was reluctant to allow this, for he loved Ishamel his first-born son. But God Himself spoke to Abrahm and commanded that his sacrifice be made. And so Araham gave Hagar and Ishamel provisions and sent them away.
Hagar was trying to find her way back to her own home of Egypt with the child. However, she soon became lost and her water supply was exhasuted. Ishamel faltered and fell fainting by her side. She sat against her dying son, lifted up her voice, and wept in despair and agony.
For a second time, Hagar was saved by divine intervention. God had promised that Ismael would be the father of a wild and powerful race, so He sent his angel to guide Hagar to a well where she could get water for her son. God watched over Hagar and Ishmael, who grew to be an archer, as the two dwelt in the wilderness of Paran together. Ishamel lived to be a 137 years old and ruled over the deserts, and became the chief ancestor of the race of the Arabs.
These pictures of Hagar and Ishmael are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these Hagar and Ishmael illustrations in your art projects. Click on the Hagar and Ishmael drawings below to see more details about saving a free Hagar and Ishmael image or about purchasing the Hagar and Ishmael images at a higher resolution.
Lot from the Bible was the son of Haran and the nephew of Abraham. Lot was born in Ur of the Chaldeees. He moved with his family to Charran, and again susequently with Abraham and Sarah to Canaan. With them he took refuge in Egypt from a famine, and with them returned to their original selttlement between Bethel and Ai. But the pastures of the hills of Bethel, which had contained the two strangers with ease on their first arrival, were no longer able to bear them, so much had their possessions of sheep, goats, and cattle increased. Accordingly they separated, Lot choosing the fertile plain of the Jordan, and advancing as far as Sodom.
The next occurrence in Lot Bible story is his capture by the four kings of the cast and his rescure by Abraham (Abram). The last scene preserved to us occurred when Lot was living in Sodom, from which he was rescued by some angels on the day of its final overthrow. He fled first to Zoar, in which he found a temporary refuge during the destruction of the other cities of the plain.
On this page you'll find nine Lot Bible images which have been taken from my collection of religious story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Lot in your artistic creations. Click on the Lot Bible illustations below to see more details about saving a free Lot Bible image or about purchasing the images of Lot at a higher resolution.
Rebekah, the maiden who came to the well in answer to Eliezer's prayer, was the very one he would have sought. She was the granddaughter of Abraham's brother. She was beautiful, selfless, and not indifferent to the need of the weary man and his outworn beasts. She not only helped Eliezer to get a drink from the well, but also drew water for the camels. Eliezer must have felt that God had sent him a most generous and beauteous answer to his prayer.
When Eliezer learned that Rebekah was of his master's own family, he set out to accomplish his mission in royal fashion. He presented Rebekah with gold earrings and two heavy gold bacelets. Then he told her who he was, and asked her for lodging in her father's house. Once there, Eliezer told Rebekah and her family told of his and his purpose. He scattered gifts plentifully among Rebekah's people. Rebekah agreed to return with Eliezer to to wed Isaac.
This series of images of Rebekah are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of Rebekah in your artwork. Click on the Rebekah illustations below to see more details about saving a free Rebekah image or about purchasing the images of Rebekah at a higher resolution.
The Rebekah Bible story continues with her long journey with Eliezer. As they approached Hebron, she was on watch for her promised husband. So she was the first to see a stranger approaching along the road. It was Isaac, who had come to meet Eliezer. When Rebekah learned who the man was, she dismounted from her camel and covered herself with a veil.
Soon after, Rebekah became Isaac's wife, and he loved her. Rebekah had to wait a long while for a child, but at length two sons came to her at once-- Esau and Jacob.
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Abrahm wished to see his son Isaac wed before he passed away. Yet he feared that if Isaac chose a woman of the Cannanites, he would be led astray from the worship of the true God. Therefore Abrahm sent his head servant or sterward, Eliezer, back to Haran, in Syria, to find Isaac a religious mate.
Eliezer made the long and weary journey to Haran. At length, toward the close of the last exhausting day of travel, he reched the outskirts of the city, where he seated himself with his tired camels and attendants beside a well. Eliezer did not know who to go about his task, so he prayed to the Lord to aid him by sending to the well the woman whom He destined for Isaac's wife. Eliezer asked that she be the one who should give him a drink at his request, both to him and his camels.
Even as Eliezer closed his prayer, a young woman came. He asked her for a drink of water from her pitcher, and she respectfully gave Eliezer a drink.
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Isaac, the son whom Sarah bore to Abraham in the hundredth year of his age, was born around 1897 B.C. In his infancy he became the object of his half brother, Ishmael's, jealousy. And in his youth he was the victim, in intention, of Abrahams's great sacrificial act of faith.
The Isaac Bible story continues when he was forty years old and married Rebekah, his cousin, by whom, when he was sixty, he had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Driven by famine to Gerar, he acquired great wealth by his flocks, but was repeatedly dispossessed by the Philistines of the wells which he sunk at convenient stations. After the deceit by which Jacob acquired his father's blessing, Isaac sent his son to seek a wife in Padan-aram. All that we know of him during the last forty-three years of his life is that he saw that son, with a large and prosperous family, return to him at Hebron before he died there at the age of 180 years. He was buried by his two sons in the cave of Machpelah.
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Jacob's Ladder in the Bible refers to a vision that Jacob had when he was asleep. Jacob's trickery against his father and his brother had seemed successful, yet in the end it had robbed him of much that he had desired. Esau hated Jacob and threatened to slay him, so that Rebekah, fearing that she might lose both her sons, sent Jacob away to find a wife, as his father had done, among her own kinsfolk at Haran.
Jacob set forth alone, and coming at night to a place which he named Beth-el, he slept there, with a stone for a pillow. Here in a dream he saw angels ascending a ladder into heaven, thus the reference to Jacob's Ladder. At the summit stood God. God told Jacob that because of His friendship for Abraham and Isaac, He would now take Jacob also under His protection. Then Jacob awoke. Yet he could take no joy in God's presence and promise as his fathers had taken. Instead he was aftraid.
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Although Jacob and Esau were twins, Esau was born first to Isaac and Rebekah, so he had first claim upon his father's estates and on his blessing. Because of this, Jacob envied Esau, who valued his birthright so little that once he sold it to Jacob for a mess of pottage.
Isaac paid no heed to this youthful bargain, and when it was time for him go give his blessings to Esau, he sent him out to get venison for a feast. Rebekah, however, was determined to secure the coveted benediction for Jacob, who was her favoirte. She urged and commanded Jacob to to to his father in Esau's place. This trick was made possible because Isaac had become almost blind. The scheme was successful and Jacob was blessed This was Jacob's one great crime, by which he and his mother ruined their lives.
When Esau returned with the venison, Isaac, despite his blindness, realized almost immediately what had happened. He was both grieved and angry, yet he saw that since this deed was accomplished it must have been the Will of God. Esau pleaded with his father to bless him as well, but Isaac sadly declared that the blessing had already been given.
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This series of Jacob Images show various scenes from Jacob's life. They are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these Jacob Images in your artwork. Click on the Jacob illustations below to see more details about saving a free Jacob Image or about purchasing the images of Jacob at a higher resolution.
The Jacob Pictures on this page depict various important moments in Jacob's life. The Jacob Pictures are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Jacob Pictures in your artistic creations. Click on the Jacob Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Picture of Jacob or about purchasing the Jacob Pictures at a higher resolution.
The story of Jacob and Rachel begins with Jacob going to Haran in search of a wife. He stopped at a well just outside the city where shepherds watered their flocks. He inquired for his mother's people, and the shepherds pointed to where Rachel was coming with her flock to the well. He hurried the shepherds away, so that he remained alone to help Rachel water her sheep and tell her who he was. Rachel welcomed him gladly with a kiss and ran to tell her father Laban, who was brother of Rebekah. Jacob had fallen at first sight, deeply in love with Rachel, and decided to remain in Haran.
Laban brought Jacob to his home where he met Rachel's older sister Leah. Jacob thought little of her, for his heart was already gone out to Rachel. Jacob promptly offered to serve Laban seven yerars for the younger sister's hand. The father consented and the years sped by. When however, the time was completed, Laban had the wedding held at night, and cunningly substitued Leah for Rachel in the ceremony. In the morning, when Jacob learned of the deceit, he was enraged, but Laban pacified him by giving him Rachel to also be his wife. In return he had to serve yet another seven year in repayment. Thus both daughters were wedded to Jacob.
Jacob deeply loved Rachel, and it came as a blow to him when she died giving birth to their second son, whom Jacob called Benjamin. In his grief, Jacob erected a monument to Rachel. For many hundred years this pillar stood above her grave on the highway south of Jerusalem, near Bethlehem.
This series of images from of Jacob and Rachel are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of Jacob and Rachel in your artwork. Click on the Jacob and Rachel illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Jacob and Rachel image or about purchasing the images of Jacob and Rachel at a higher resolution.
Joseph, from the Old Testament, was the elder of the two sons of Jacob and his wife Rachel. He was born in Mesopotamia around 1746 B.C. He is first mentioned in the Bible as a youth of about seventeen. Unfortunately, Joseph's brothers hated him because their father loved Joseph more than his other sons.
Joseph had a dream which foreshadowed his future power; this increased the hatred of his brothers. When they had an opportunity, they sold Joseph into slavery. He later found himself in prison, where he remained for at least two years, interpreting the dreams of common people as well as the Pharaoh. Joseph rose to power in Egypt and was eventually reunited with his father and his brothers.
The relationship between Jacob and Joseph was a special one. The affection which Jacob had given in turn to his mother Rebekah, and his wife Rachel, he now transferred to Rachel's eldest son, Joseph. The boy was his father's favorite within the household. However, Joseph's brothers resented the way he was preferred over them; they feared to lose their share in the inheritance of Jacob's wealth. And the older ones must have feared also that the divine birthright and blessings would be passed over them to Joseph. With the innocence of youth, however, Joseph thought nothing of this. When he found some of his brothers doing evil, he reported the matter indignantly to his father, and so increased their enmity.
Jacob and Joseph were to be separated for many years, but they would eventually be reunited some time before Jacob's death. When Jacob died, Joseph went up into Palestine with all his brothers and buried their father in the family cave at Hebron.
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Jacob, was the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. He was born with Esau, about 1837 B.C. He bought the birthright from his brother and deceived his father into giving him the blessing intended for Esau. For some time, he was separated from his brother and his family home. He married Rachel and Leah and had eleven sons and one daughter. God helped Jacob during difficult times in his life, and after a night of wrestling with God, his name was changed to Israel. He was reunited with his favorite and long lost son, Joseph, and lived in Egypt unti his death. His body was embalmed and then placed in cave of Machpelah in the land of Canaan.
The period when Joseph was sold into Egypt must have been somewhere about fourteen hundred years before Christ. Joseph's first master, Potiphar, was a native Egyptian. It appears that Joseph dwelt in the home of Potiphar for a decade of more. Here he must have seen and studied all the ancient civilization and splendor of the Egyptians, and he gradually won the esteem and confidence of his master. From position of helpless slave, he grew to be chief steward and director of the entire household.
Unfortunately, Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph of making advances towards her. He was stripped of all his offices and cast into prison. While in prison, he interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker. Finally Pharaoh himself called for Joseph to intepret two prophetic dreams that his own advisors could not decipher. Joseph intepreted them in the name of God, foretelling of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh at once appointed Joseph governor of Egypt. Joseph's first act was to travel through Egypt. During the seven plenteous years there was a very abundant produce, and he gathered the fifth part and laid it up in preparation for the lean years ahead.
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On this page you'll find nine images of Joseph and his Brothers from Joseph's first prophetic dreams, to his brother's plots against him, and finally to their reunion in Egypt. The scences of Joseph and his Brothers are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Joseph and his Brothers in your artistic creations. Click on the Joseph and his Brothers illustations below to see more details about saving a free Joseph and his Brothers image or about purchasing the images of Joseph and his Brothers at a higher resolution.
Joseph, the elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel, was born in Padan-aram (Mesopotamia) about 1746 B.C. He is first mentioned as a youth of seventeen years old. Joseph brought the evil report of his brothers to his father, and they hated him because his father loved him the most. Jacob had shown his preference for his son by making him a long tunic with sleeves worn by youths and maidens of the richer class.
Then came Joseph's Dream. He had two prophetic dreams, clear enough of significance, and he unwisely told these to his brothers. First he dreamed that a sheaf of grain which he was binding, stood erect, and the sheaves of this brothers "gathered round and swayed toward it, bowing." Next he dreamed that the sun and mood and eleven stars came and bowed to him. Even Jacob was indignant when Joseph told this second dream. Yet the proud father treasured the dream in his heart.
Later, while in prison in Egypt, Joseph became a "seer"; he listened to the prophetic dreams of others and interpreted their meanings. Joseph would also gain favor with the Pharaoh by interpreting his dreams as well.
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Even Jacob did not realize how bitter had grown the dislike and resentment of his older sons toward Joseph. The ten older brothers were feeding their flocks far to the north, and Jacob asked Joseph to go and make sure all was well with them and then to report back.
Joseph set forth, and when the brothers saw him approaching from afar, they conspired to slay him. However, the eldest of Joseph's brothers, Reuben, could not stomach the idea of murdering Joseph, so he proposed that instead of shedding blood, they should lower Joseph into one of the wells scattered about the plain, and leave him there to die a bloodless death. In secret, Reuben meant to return and rescue Joseph. The other brothers agreed to this plan, and the unsuspecting lad was lowered into the pit.
Their plan changed again when another brother, Judah, who was too kind-hearted to commit murder, convince the others that it would be to their benefit to sell Joseph into slavery. And so he was he was sold to a caravan of traveling merchants, Ishmaelites, who were passing by.
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The Joseph Images on this page show Joseph as a young shepherd, as well as Joseph interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer, the baker, and the Pharoah of Egypt.
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The Joseph Bible Story continues as the famine against which Joseph had gathered grain extended not only over Egypt but over the surrounding lands. Jacob and his people suffered from it in Palestine, so that the patriarch sent his sons to purchase grain in Egypt. But Benjamin, the one child of Rachel remaining to him, he kept at home. The brothers came to Joseph, not knowing him He questioned them of their father and of Benjamin. He was doubtful of their truth, and pretended to believe them spies, insisting that they must return to him again and let him see this youngest brother of whom they spoke.
When Jacob heard this message, he refused to let Benjamin go. Thus the first year of the famine passed, but when the second came andxstill there were no crops, it was clear that all the Israelites would die unless they could again get grain from Egypt. Judah, the ablest of the brothers, pledged his own life that Benjamin would be safe with them. So the caravan returned again to Egypt, and Benjamin was brought before Joseph, knowing him only as the mighty visier.
When it was evident that Benjamn was really alive and had not been injured by his brothers' jealously as Joseph had been, the young visier was very happy. He felt that his brothers had repented and grown to be better men than of old. Joseph put his brothers through two tests to see if they would desert Benjamin and be glad of his misfortune. But the brothers proved their loyalty and remorse and Joseph finally revealed himself to them.
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These Joseph Pictures show Joseph revealing himself to his brothers, after which they went home to Jacob to share their news of Joseph and his marvelous fortunes. Their father at first refused to believe them, but when finally convinced, he was filled with joy and resolved to go and see his son. This is just what Joseph had advised. The entire hosehold--Jacob, Josephs' brothers and their sons, their wives and servants-- traveled to establish themselves in Egypt. Judah brought Joseph word of his father's arrival, and Joseph hastened with his wife and two sons to the border of Egypt to welcome Jacob.
When Jacob was presented by his son to Pharaoh, the patriarch blessed the mighty monarch. Jacob also blessed Joseph's two little sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. On the death of Jacob in Egypt, Joseph carried him to Canaan, and laid him in the cave of Machpelah, the burying place of his fathers.
Joseph lived a hundred and ten years, having spent more than ninety in Egypt. Dying, he took an oath of his brethren that they should carry up his bones to the land of promise, showing in his latest action the faith which had guided his whole life. Like his father, he was emblamed and was put in a coffin in Egypt. His trust Moses kept, and laid the bones of Joseph in his inheritance in Shechem, in the territory of Ephraim, his youngest son. His tomb is, according to tradition, about a stone's throw from Jacob's well.
On this page you'll find nine Joseph Pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Joseph Pictures in your creative projects. Click on the Joseph Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Joseph Pictures or about purchasing the Joseph Pictures at a higher resolution.
Holy Scripture assigns no date for the epoch of the Creation. The books of Moses were designed for a people who believed implicity in God, and they open with the simple statement that God created the heavens and the earth "in the beginning." God's creation took place over six successive stages or periods, beginning with lowest and closing with the highest forms of being, with Man being created last. Please click on these artistic interpretations of God's Creation to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images of God's Creation at a higher resolution.
Abraham, which means father of a multitude, was a prophet and the founder of the Hebrew nation. Abraham was born in Ur of the Chaldees. At the age of seventy-five, Abraham, his nephew, Lot, and his wife Sarai (or Sarah), traveled to the land of Canaan on God's command. God promised Abraham that he would become the founder of a great nation.
Abraham had a son, Ishmael, with the handmaiden Hagar. Later he and Sarah had a son, who was named Isaac. At one point, God tested Abraham's faith by commanding him to make a sacrifice of Isaac, which he began to do, until an angel interceded on God's behalf.
Abraham died at the age of 175 and was laid beside Sarah in the tomb of Machpelah by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. Click on the pictures of Abraham below to see more details about saving a free image or to purchase an image of Abraham at a higher resolution.
Noah, was the tenth in descent from Adam. We hear nothing of Noah until he is 500 years old, when it is said he had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japhet. Because of the hopeless wickedness of the world at this time, God resolved to destroy it. God directed Noah and his sons to build the ark and to board it along with all kinds of animals. The rain began to fall and kept falling for about 190 days so that the earth was covered with water. On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. After some time, Noah and his family emerged from the ark and built an altar on which to offer sacrifices to God. In the end, Noah lived to be 950 years old. Click on the Noah illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Noah drawing or purchasing the images of Noah at a higher resolution.
The Book of Exodus chronicles the going out of the Israelites from Egypt. It is the second book of the law or Pentateuch. Moses is said to have written it probably during the forty-years wandering in the wilderness between B.C. 1491 and 1451. It may be divided into two principal parts: historical and legislative.
The book contains an account of the early history of Israel as a nation and the oppression of the Israelites in the land of Egypt; the birth, education, flight and return of Moses; the ineffectual attempts to prevail upon Pharaoh to let the Israelites go; the successive signs and wonders, ending in the death of the firt-born, which leads to the deliverance of Israel from the land of bondage and the institution of the Passover; finally the departure out of Egypt and the arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
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Moses, which means drawn or saved from the water, was the legislator of the Jewish people, and in a certain sense, the founder of the Jewish religion. He was born to Amram and Jochabed at Goshen, in Egypt, in 1571 B.C. The history of his life naturually divides itself into three periods of forty years each. The first part details his life as an Egyption in the Pharaoh's court. The second period began when he was forty years old, and became determined to bring about an end to the surffering of the Istraelites under the Egyptians. He spent forty years communing with God and nature up until the time when God appeared to him in a burning bush and appointed him to be the leader and deliverer of his people. The third period of forty years is the history of Moses intertwined with the history of Israel, where Moses appears as both a leader and a prophet.
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Despite the severe labor exacted on the Hebrews, they continued to increase in numbers, so that Pharaoh became ever more fearful of them. He commanded nurses who attended at childbirth to smother each new born male child in order to end the Israelite race forever. But the nursing women made every excuse possible to avoid the awful wholesale murder commanded of them.
Then Pharaoh gave orders to all his troops, his subjects, and to the Hebrews themselves, that they must throw every male child born among the Hebrews into the Nile river. It was during this time of persecution that the Baby Moses was born. His parents kept Moses hidden in their house for three months. As the baby Moses grew, it became impssible to conceal him in the house, and his mother, Jochebed, decided in desperation to place him in a basket made of rushes and hide him beside the Nile. She hoped that the finder of the babe would not realize he was a Hebrew and adopt him.
Hidden, Jochebed watched with her daughter Miriam as the Baby Moses was found by the childless, gentle-hearted daughter of Pharaoh. She longed eagerly for a son. The heart of the princess went out to him at once, as she resolved to adopt him as her own.
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Israelites refers to the descendants of Israel, the national name of the twelve tribes of Israel. The kingdom of Israel lasted 254 years, from 975 B.C. to 721 B.C. The term Israelites was used by the Jews of themselves among themselves; the term Hebrew was the name by which they were know to foreigners and was accepted by the Jews in their external relations.
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We know from Egyptian history that the "shepherd kings" who ruled the land in Joseph's day, were driven out after long warfare, and there came a new dynasty of native Pharaohs. These Egyptian rulers had no love for the Ancient Hebrews, who were Asiatic foreigners.
For a time, however, little attention was attracted to the Hebrews, until the promise of God began to be fulfilled and their numbers increased amazingly. In the course of perhaps two centuries, they became a nation. Then fear of them arose in Egyptian minds. A "new king," probably the haughty and successful conqueror Ramses II, feared the Israelites might suddenly rise and seize upon the entire land, as the earlier "shepherd kings" had done. So he forced the unfortunate foreigners into bondage.
Great building works were begun in northeastern Egypt, where the Hebrews dwelt, and they were forced into hard toil under that tropic sun, digging canals, and erecting walls and cities.
On this page you'll find nine images of the Ancient Hebrews in Egypt taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Ancient Hebrews in your artistic creations. Click on the illustrations of the Ancient Hebrews below to see more details about saving a free Ancient Hebrew image or about purchasing the images of Ancient Hebrews at a higher resolution.
From the moment of Moses' formal installation in the palace as the princess's adopted son, the Moses Story passes directly to the moment when, four decades later, he espoused his own peoples' downtrodden cause. Brought up in the highest rank among the Egyptians, Moses must have spent much of his life at their captial of Memphis on the banks of the lower Nile. All the remarkable "wisdom" of the Egyptians was open to him, and we are assured that he gathered all, including the secret knowledge of the priesthood, which enabled them to do wonders that seemed miraculous in common eyes. It seems likely that Moses was a vigorous and powerful chieftain and a successful general in the Egyptian wars. It is certain that he held a high position at the court of Pharaoh. Then he deliberately abandoned all his power to cast his lot with that of the Israelites.
It was from no imperative command of God that Moses first took up the cause of the Israelites. It was an act done by the man himself. The Bible tells us that that he "went out unto his bretheren, and looked on their burdens." Doubtless he often talked with them, perhaps even appealed to Pharaoh in an effort to alleviate their suffereing. Then one day, as the Moses story is told in Exodus, he saw an Egyptian ill-treating an unfortunate Hebrew. When his pleas to the Egyptian went unheeded, Moses slew the oppressor. Moses became marked for Death by Pharaoh, but he knew his danger and fled, becoming a fugitive and an exile.
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Ten Commandments is the popular term for what is described in the Scriptures as the "Ten Words," the "Covenant," or the "Testimony." The term "Commandments" came into use in the time of Christ. Moses was called to Mount Sinai by God, to receive the law which was needed for the Children of Israel to continue as a holy nation. The Ten Commandments were engraved on two Tablets of Stone, by the power of the Eternal Spirit-- the "finger of God."
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In the third month after the Israelites had gone out of Egypt they came into the wilderness of Sinai, and when they had encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai Moses went up on to the peak and talked with God. In this conversation, the Lord reminded him of how He had sustained him and his people, and that greater things were yet in store for him if he would obey His voice. Then God told Moses to go down among the Israelites and sanctify them, and to order them to wash their clothes and be ready to to receive Him.
When morning dawned on the third day there was a deep cloud seen resting on Sinai, out of which came flashes of blinding lightning and crashing peals of thunder, so that all the people in the camp trembled with great fear. Moses ordered all the Israelites to come out of their tents and to stand at the foot of the mountain; as they obeyed the command the Lord descended upon the mount in fire and made it smoke like an immense furnace, while thunder continued to break in terrific discharges. A trumpet was heard blaring in deep resonnance, growing louder and louder until Moses spoke. Then the Lord beckoned Moses to go up on the mountain.
After fasting on the mount for forty days and nights, God gave Moses Ten Commandments as well as instructions for creation of a sanctuary and Tabernacle for the congregation. He described the holy furniture that would be part of the Tabernacle, and He also told Moses to establish a priesthood for Aaron and his four sons.
These illustrations of Moses and the Ten Commandments are from several of my old Bible books. Feel free to use these Moses Ten Commandments pictures in your artistic projects. Click on the Moses Ten Commandments drawings below to see more details about saving a free Moses Ten Commandments image or about purchasing Moses and the Ten Commandments at a higher resolution.
Moses received the Bible Ten Commandments after leaving the elders and going alone to the summit of Sinai. There he stayed in communion with God for forty days and forty nights. In all that time, no man saw Moses; the cloud into which he had ascended remained continuously upon the mount. Moses received many more laws for the regulation of the Hebrew state. On the fortieth day God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on two tablets, "tables of stone, written with the finger of God." Then God bade Moses hasten back to the valley, for already the Israelites had broken their covenant with the Lord.
When Moses came back to his people he brought with thim the tables of stone graven with with the ten commandments, but as he drew near he beheld the Israelites making merry before the gold calf. In anger, he threw down the tables and broke them. Moses went to the edge of the camp and called aloud to the people, "Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me." To this cry all the sons of Levi responded. Moses told them to draw their swords and slay every idolator they came upon, all who persisted in sin, sparing neither neighbor, nor comrade, nor relative, nor son. Grimly they obeyed, and three thousand men died.
After inflicting ths punishment, Moses took the Tabernacle, which ahd been prepared as the Lord had directed, and set it up some distance from the camp, and when all had been made ready he entered into the veil beside the mercy-seat. God confirmed all that He had promised before and told Moses He would show him His mercy and glory. Moses was ordered to prepare other tables and go again to the top of Mount Sinail. Moses did as the Lord willed, and remained on the mount fasting for another period of forty days and nights, talking with God, who gave him the new tables, and promised that if the people would cease their iniquities He would do greater things for them than ever before. Moses then returned to the Israelites, bearing the new tables, and told them of God's promises, and while he spoke to them his face shone so brightly that they were afraid to come near him.
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When the long trial of patience and solitude in the wilderness of Midian was at an end, God summoned Moses to his mighty task of rescuing the nation of Israel. One day the quiet shepherd led his flocks to "to the back side of the desert, and came to the mountain of God." Here was suddenly before him a bush which flamed brightly, yet did not burn away; Moses went forward to examine this Burning Bush.
As he approached, God or an angel of God, called to him from out of the flame and bade him take off his shoes, for this was holy ground. In awe and astonishment Moses obeyed, and then God Himself spoke from the burning bush and proclaimed His presence. God spoke of the misery of the Israelites, which had been brought them by their sins, and declared His intent to deliver them out of Egypt and lead them to a land "flowing with milk and honey," the land of Palestine. Moses was commanded to be their leader and to demand their release from Pharaoh.
The Lord promised Moses that he would receive divine help, and foretold all the disaster which He would bring upon Egypt. Moses still asked for some visible sign by which he could convince the Israelites that he was no fase prophet. The Lord bade Moses cast down the stick that he held in his hand, which he did. The rod became a living serpent until Moses picked it up again and it changed back into a rod. Moses still hesitated to accept the mission, pleading a lack of eloquence. So God told him he should have his brother Aaron, a man of ready words, to speak for him.
This series of images of Moses and the Burning Bush on Mt. Sinai are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Moses Burning Bush in your projects. Click on the Burning Bush illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Moses Burning Bush image or about purchasing the images Moses and the Burning Bush at a higher resolution.
In the last and most deadly plague, the firstborn of Pharaoh was striken dead like the others. Pharoah's stubborn heart was crushed to the very dust; he could struggle no more. He called for Moses and Aaron and told them to take their people and go forth from Egypt.
In haste and joy, six hundred thousand Israelites gathered themselves and their possessions and passed out of the sore stricken land with Moses leading them southward towards the Red Sea, marching as an army in triumph.
The advance of the Israelites down the Egyptian shore of the Red Sea kept them still within Pharaoh's reach. When he heard of the opportunity thus offered, his rage and hatred grew within him. Suddenly he resolved to avenge his son; he summoned his armies and pursued.
Moses kept a weary vigil through the night. The Red Sea Crossing had been chosen by God as the place for the final punishment of the Pharaoh and his people. God bade him stretch forth his rod over the sea. The Lord caused the sea to roll back revealing dry land, and the waters were divided, allowing the Israelites to make the Red Sea crossing. But the relentless Egyptians followed them. As they sped across the sands of the sea's bottom, the wheels began to break from their chariots; they saw their doom. Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned, covering the chariots, horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh, while the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea.
On this page you'll find nine images of the Red Sea Crossing of the Israelites as they flee the Egyptians. The illustrations of the Red Sea Crossing are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures in your designs. Click on the Red Sea Crossing drawings below to see more details about saving a free Red Sea Crossing image or about purchasing the images of the Red Sea Crossing at a higher resolution.
The long and mysterious absence of Moses on Mount Sinai lead the people to create the Golden Calf. Not having their leader roused the terror of the Israelites as they waited in the wilderness. They were like children in their weakness. They had clung to Moses, and now he had disappeared. They were alone, and afraid. Aaron had been left in charge of them; therefore, they came to Aaron, clamorous, demanding that he give them something to worship.
There was something pitiful in their weakness, and Aaron was as weak as they. He too was afraid. Yielding to their prayers and threats, he bade them bring him their gold ornaments, which they had taken from the Egyptians. These treasures he melted and made from them a golden calf after the manner of the gods of Egypt. When this was reared on high, the people were no longer afraid. They made a feast and worshipped the golden idol, dancing about it and perfoming wicked ceremonies of self-surrender and public shame, such as they had learned in Egypt.
This series of drawings of the Golden Calf from the Book of Exodus, are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Golden Calf in your art designs. Click on the Golden Calf illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Golden Calf image or about purchasing the images of the Golden Calf at a higher resolution.
Aaron was the son of Amram and Jochebed and the elder brother of Moses and Miriam. The Aaron Bible story begins when he was appointed by Jehovah to be the interpreter of his brother Moses who was "slow of speech." Accordingly Aaron, a Levite, not only communicated with the Israelites and with Pharaoh, but also worked most of the miracles of the Exodus.
On the way to Mount Sinai, during the battle with Amalek, Aaron with Hur held up the weary hands of Moses, when they were lifted up for the victory of Israel. Aaron is mentiond as dependent upon his brother and deriving all his authority from him. On Moses' departure into Sinai, Aaron is left to guide the people, but he fails from a weak inability to withstand the demand of the people for visible gods. He repented of his sin, and Moses gained foregiveness for him. Aaron was consecrated by Moses to the new office of high priesthood, and from this time the Aaron Bible story is almost entirely that of the priesthood.
Aaron's two elder sons, Nadab and Abihu, had been chosen for the priesthood apparently only becasue they were his sons. They were in no way specially adapted for the service; in fact, they were negligent. Instead of studying, as Aaron did, to obey exactly the directions God had given Moses for each ceremonial, they carried censers of coals into the sanctuary, " and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commnanded them not." Instantly there flashed forth a flame from the ark, and the heedless young men fell dead.
On this page you'll find nine Aaron Bible illustrations taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Aaron from the Bible in your artistic creations. Click on the Aaron Bible pictures below to see more details about saving a free Aaron Bible image or about purchasing the images of Aaron in the Bible at a higher resolution.
After Moses received his command from God, he bade farewell to Midian and set out on the long journey toward Egypt with his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons. With the return of Moses toward Egypt the story of Moses and Aaron began. Aaron was three years older then Moses, but little is known of his previous life, only that he could speak well and was to be Moses's spokesman unto the people. Aaron had been forewarned by God of his brother's arrival, and journeyed forth to meet him in desert.
Together, Moses and Aaron went among the Israelites to tell them of the Lord's summons to the race. A gathering of the elders was called, before which Aaron spoke, and Moses showed his miraculous signs. These were believed, and the downtrodden children of Israel took heart, rejoicing in secret.
Being thus accepted of Israel, Moses and Aaron went boldly to the king's palace. They presented themselves as the dread ambassadors of a ruler yet mightier than Pharaoh. They demanded that the Israelites be permitted to go out into the desert and offer sacrifice to their God.
The Pharaoh in power, Amenhotep, did not punish Moses directly for his request; his vengeance fell instead upon the luckless Israelites. He laid heavier burdens on their exhausted shoulders. The despairing Israelites turned against Moses, crying that he had done them grievous harm instead of good. Moses himself appealed in agony to God, who told Moses and Aaron to go again to Pharaoh with their demand and show a miracle before him. This they did, and Aaron's rod became a serpent at Pharaoh's feet. When the Egyptian priests used their magic to also turn their rods to serpents, "Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods."
This set of drawings of Moses and Aaron from the Bible, are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these pictures of Moses and Aaron in your artwork. Click on the Moses and Aaron illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Moses and Aaron image or about purchasing the images of Moses and Aaron at a higher resolution.
Pharaoh Amenhotep did not immediately recognize the divine authority of Moses and Aaron, for he was not afraid of magic. So now God told Moses that He would send upon Egypt a series of terrible punishments, the Ten Plagues, until He had broken the pride of the nation and they humbled themselves before Him.
The first plague was that of blood, in which the sacred river Nile turned to blood for seven days. The second plague was of frogs, which came out of the water and spread into every house and chamber. The third and fourth plagues were those of lice and flies, which filled the house of Pharaoh and all the houses of Egypt except for those of the Israelites.
After the third and fourth plagues there no longer could be any doubt as to the power of Moses and his divine authority. Pharaoh sent for Moses and tried to bargain with him; Moses said that the Israelites must be allowed a three day's journey into the wilderness to worship. Pharaoh agreed, but as soon as the plague of flies was removed, the royal word was broken a second time.
Now came the fifth plague-- the blight of a disease cast upon the domestic beasts so that all the cattle of the Egyptians died. The sixth was the plague of boils, which tormented all Egyptians. Despite their sufferings, Pharaoh maintained obstinate silence. A frightful storm of thunder, hail, and lightning was the seventh plague. The eighth plague was that of the locusts and the ninth plunged Egypt into a fearful darkness that blotted out all life.
The tenth and final plague was the death of the first born. After the Israelites marked their doorways with lambs' blood, they stood waiting to depart Egypt. A the stroke of midnight, in every Egyptian home throughout the land, the firstborn fell dead and one great cry sorrow wailed across the land.
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Jewish Passover is the first of the three great annual festivals of the Israelites. The feast was instituted by God to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and the sparing of their first-born when the destroying angel smote the first-born of the Egyptians.
God told Moses of the coming of the last, the terrible tenth plague, and warned him to prepare the Israelites against it. The angel of death was to pass through the entire land and take his dread toll from every family. In each among them all, the firstborn son of the house, the oldest, the chief heir, on whom all the future depended, was to die. This was to happen at a single moment through the entire land. The Israelites, lest they too lose their firstborn in that great stroke, were each to mark the door-post of his house with the blood of a lamb, that the death angel might know this sign and pass over the house, without setting foot across the threshold.
The deliverance from Egypt was regarded as the starting point of the Hebrew nation. The Israelites were then raised from the condition of bondmen under a foreign tyrant to that of a free people owing allegiance to no one but Jehovah.
This set of illustrations of the first Jewish Passover are from several old books in my collection. Feel free to use these pictures of Jewish Passover in your projects. Click on the Jewish Passover drawings below to see more details about saving a free Jewish Passover image or about purchasing a Jewish Passover image at a higher resolution.
Following the triumph of the Children of Israel over the Egyptians, their training began. With uplifted hearts and solemn confidence, the people turned their backs upon the Red Sea and entered the wilderness, under Moses' leadership. The land they entered was unknown to them; it was a land of barren mountains and rocks, in some parts an absolute desert, producing scanty herbage for their flocks and herds.
The people's courage soon failed them. Their confidence in Moses and in God sank low. For the first three days of their march, they found no water, and when at last they reached the well of Marah, the waters were so bitter that they began to murmur against Moses. Then God turned the water sweet for them. When their food began to run low, they started to feel discomfort and fear. Again they clamored against Moses, and God again helped them by sending a host of quails and then a rain of manna.
God continued to test the resolve of the children of Israel. Once more, as they marched southward, they found themselves in a region witout water. So God bade Moses assemble the people of Israel to witness a solemn proof of the miraculous power that had been bestowed on Moses in order to aid and save the children of Israel. In the presence of all the people and elders of Israel, Moses smote a huge rock with his rod, and water poured in streams from the stone as from a fountain. The people quenched their thirst and were happy once more, rejoicing in the divine power and guidance of their leader.
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On this page you'll find nine images of Ancient Israel during the time of Moses, which are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Ancient Israel in your artistic creations. Click on the Ancient Israel illustations below to see more details about saving a free Ancient Israel image or about purchasing the images of Ancient Israel at a higher resolution.
The Tabernacle was the tent of Jehovah, called by the same name as the tents of the people in midst of which it stood. It was also called the sanctuary and the tabernacle of the congregation. The first ordinances given to Moses, after the proclamation of the outline of the law from Sinai, related to the ordering of the Tabernacle, its furniture and its service, as the type which was to be followed when the people came to their own home and "found a place" for the abode of God. During the forty days of Moses' first retirement with God in Sinai, an exact pattern of the whole was shown to him, and all was made according to it. The description of this plan for the Tabernacle is preceded by an account of the freewill offering which the children of Israel were to be asked to make for its execution.
These images of the Tabernacle are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Tabernacle in your creative endeavors. Click on the Tabernacle illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Tabernacle picture or about purchasing the images of the Tabernacle at a higher resolution.
The Ark of the Covenant was the first piece of tabernacle furniture for which precise directions were delivered to Moses. It appears to have been an oblong chest of acacia wood. Gold overlaid the wood, inside and out, and the upper side or lid, was also edged with gold. On top was the altar or mercy-seat, with two cherubim of gold facing each other, their wings extended. (The mercy-seat appears to refer to the lid of the ark and was not a separate piece.) The ark was fitted with rings, one at each of the four corners, and through these were passed staves of the same wood similarly overlaid. The ark, when transported, was enveloped in the "veil" of the dismantled tabernacle, in a curtain of badgers' skins, and in a blue cloth overall, and was therefore not seen.
The purpose of the Ark of the Covenant was to contain inviolate the divine autograph of the two tables from God. It was also probably a reliquary for the pot of manna and the rod of Aaron.
On this page you'll find nine pictures of the Ark of the Covenant taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Ark of the Covenant in your artistic creations. Click on the Ark of the Covenant illustations below to see more details about saving a free Ark of the Covenant image or about purchasing the drawings of the Ark of the Covenant at a higher resolution.
While Moses was teacing the people the law of God, he was also preparing the sanctuary for God's presence, the tabernacle in which He was to appear at times, and which was to be borne about by the Israelites in their wanderings. Every detail of the of the main Tabernacle of Moses had been dictated to him on Sinai, and the master workman had been pointed out to him and divinely inspired with the genius needed for the job.
This master-workman was Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah. He worked earnestly with "every wise hearted man" of Israel, teaching each workman what to do, planning and supervising all, until the building or tent of the tabernacle was ready in its full beauty, and the "ark" was made, with the numerous sacrificial implements of worship.
While Bezaleel worked in wood and metals, he had a comrade, Aholiab of the tribe of Dan, who was also inspired by God, so as to be able to work with cloth and needlework. Aholiab directed the making of the curtains for the tabernacle, and above all, he created the garments of the high priests.
These drawings of the Tabernacle of Moses are from several old Bible books in my collection. Feel free to use illustrations of the Tabernacle of Moses in your art projects. Click on the Tabernacle of Moses pictures below to see more details about saving a free Tabernacle of Moses image or about purchasing an image of the Tabernacle of Moses at a higher resolution.
When the tabernacle was upraised, the wonderful ark of gold was placed within it, and within the ark were laid the divinely written tablets, the chief treasure of Israel. These Tabernacle Pictures also show the other implements of worship that were set in place. Then Moses summoned the aid of Aaron and Aaron's sons. Aaron was made high priest, his sons were his helpers, and together they prepared all things about the ark and the tabernacle for the presence of God.
The work was finished, and then, before the awestruck vision of all the people, the pillar of cloud wherein God was, appeared above the tabernacle, coveirng it and entering into it. Moses and Aaron and his sons were compelled to withdraw from the tabernacle entirely because they could not remain alive amid the great Glory of that cloud. Thus did God make manifest His approval of the labors done in His name.
These Tabernacle Pictures are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these Tabernacle Pictures in your artwork. Click on the Tabernacle Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Tabernacle Picture or about purchasing the Tabernacle Pictures at a higher resolution.
After the last preparatory work was finished, almost an entire year after the departure of the Israelistes from Egypt, came the final ceremony of erecting the Jewish Tabernacle, God's temple in the wilderness. This marvelous structure had to be so arranged that it could all be taken down when Israel marched, and promptly set up again wherever the tribes might camp. It's tendance was an enormous task, and Moses selected from the tribes of Israel one entire tribe to serve in transporting the tabernacle and its contents.
The tribe Moses selected was his own, the men who had rallied to his side on the day of Israel's desertion, the sons of Levi. Thus the Levites became in time a set of men apart, attendants upon God, the priesthood of Israel. Aslo the Levites now took the chief part in raising the tabernacle, while all the people of Israel gathered round to celebrate the completion of the mighty work.
This series of images of the Jewish Tabernacle from the Old Testament are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Jewish Tabernacle in your artwork. Click on the Jewish Tabernacle illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Jewish Tabernacle image or about purchasing the images of the Jewish Tabernacle at a higher resolution.
After Moses killed the Egyptian, he fled into the deserts of Sinai until he reached the land of Midian, which lay on both shores of the eastern arm of the Red Sea. The Moses Bible Story continues with his meeting and defense of the seven daughters of the priest of the land. The priest invited him to dwell in his home with honor, and he wedded Zipporah, one of the maidens he had rescued at the well. He remained quietly in Midian for forty years, the second period of his life. Two sons were born to Moses there. The first he named Gershom and the second he called Eliezer.
The time that Moses spent in the wilderness of Midian were, in one way, the most important of his life. They were the means by which God trained him for his great work. Amid the solitude of the barren mountains he learned to be calm and self-contained aand patient. All the rashness and vehemence of his youth were burned out of him. Never again would he slay a human being in sudden wrath. Protest and sorrow had passed into acceptance and peace and thankfulness. Here was a man to be relied on, an instrument worthily fitted to God's hand.
On this page you'll find nine Moses Bible illustrations taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Moses Bible drawings in your artistic creations. Click on the Moses Bible pictures below to see more details about saving a free Moses Bible image or about purchasing the images of Moses in the Bible at a higher resolution.
Deuteronomy tells of the last month of the life of the Prophet Moses. With his people gathered around him there in the valley of the Jordan, everything was in readiness for the triumphal entry into Palestine. But God had warrned Moses that because of the one time when he had failed in faith, he should himself be shut out from the promised land, so Moses now prepared himself for death.
He gave his last days to preaching to his people. In this final month he delivered to them three great addresses. Moses reminded the new generation, which had grown up around him, of all that God had done for them and for their fathers, in bringing them out from Egypt. He traced the marvelous history of the past forty years, he reviewed the commandments he had given them, and he passionately exhorted them to continue forever in obedience to God.
Knowing that his end was at hand, Prophet Moses gave to the elders the tablets on which was written God's law to be shrined within the ark forever. He extended his blessing over all his people in passionate words of love, and then he bid them farewell. Sturdily and serenely he turned his face away from the nation which he had made, and following a divine command, set forth alone upon foot.
On the mountain of Nebo, the Lord appeared to Moses and showed him the Promised Land--four great masses of Palestine west of the Jordan, so far as the eye could see from that height--a land he could never enter. The Prophet Moses departed from life there upon the summit of Pisgah, being alone with God, at the age of one hundred and twenty-two.
These pictures of the Prophet Moses are from my collection of antique biblical books. Feel free to use the illustrations of the Prophet Moses in your artwork. Click on the Prophet Moses drawings below to see more details about saving a free Prophet Moses image or about purchasing the images of the Prophet Moses at a higher resolution.
These grayscale and color Moses Pictures are from several Bible story books. Feel free to use these Moses Pictures in your creations. Click on the Moses Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Moses Picture or about purchasing a Moses Pictures at a higher resolution.
As Moses and the children of Israel watched the destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea and saw the full power of God, their protector, their hearts were stirred to the deepest, and they raised a great song of praise and triumph. And while Moses and the men of Israel chanted, the women took up the refrain and echoed it, dancing forth from the encampment in the exuberance of their joy. It was Israel's extremest moment of light-hearted confidence.
Probably the Miriam who enters the bible story as the leader of the women was Moses's sister, who had so spiritedly aided in preserving Moses as a babe. Some others, however, have translated this passage as referring to a different woman, the "wife" of Aaron. And thus artists have usually painted Miriam in her dance as the youthful embodiment of religious joy.
These images of Miriam's Song are from my collection of antique bible study books. Feel free to use these Miriam Song illustrations in your artwork. Click on the Miriam Song pictures below to see more details about saving a free Miriam Song image or about purchasing the images of Miriam's Song at a higher resolution.
The Book of Leviticus is so called because it contains the laws of the Levites or tribe of Levi, who were the appointed priestly caste among the Hebrews. Moses was himself a Levite, and it was probably for this reason that he received his strongest support from this tribe. In Exodus we are told that when the Israelites worshipped the golden calf, the tribe of Levi were not only the first to rejoin Moses, but they drew sword at his command and slew even their own brethren. It was after this event that they were chosen as the priesthood.
The name Leviticus was first used in the Greek bible. It is appropriate, for the book consists almost entirely of the laws established to guide the Jewish priesthood or Levites. The five chief themes of priestly instruction are: 1) the directions relating to sacrifice both for worshippers and priests; 2) the details of the priestly consecration; 3) the law of the clean and unclean; 4) the law of the Day of Atonement; and 5) the law of holiness. There is also an appendix on vows and tithes. The law of holiness is of a broader character than the other parts and applied not merely to the Levites, but to Israel in general.
All of the directions in the Book of Leviticus are so carefully formulated and so exact in detail that in its present state the book is generally regarded as being of later date than the bulk of the material in Genesis and Exodus. The elaborately described ritual of the ceremonials causes Leviticus to become of small interest to general readers, though all who are interested in the meaning of the durties of the priestly office must read each of its parts with special care.
This selection of drawings from the Book of Leviticus are from my collection of very old Bibles and Bible story books. Feel free to use these pictures from the Book of Leviticus in your designs. Click on the Book of Leviticus illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Book of Leviticus image or about purchasing the images from the Book of Leviticus at a higher resolution.
The Book of Numbers tells of the forty years during which the Israelites wandered in the deserts between Egypt and Palestine. The English title, Numbers, is taken from the Greek version and refers to the counting or numbering of the pople. This is recorded in the early chapters, as taking place at the beginning of their wanderings, and then they are renumbered toward the close of he book, when their jorneying draws to an end.
But the Book of Numbers treats many things besides the recording of the numbers, names, and families of the Israelites. Its chief theme seems to be the narrative of the events of all the years in the wilderness which followed after the first year spent at Sinai and the establishment of the Covenant. The book, however, is not wholly narrative Frequent announcements of laws are interspersed amid the story, as though implying that these laws were promulgated at intervals during the forty years. The Book of Numbers thus tells of many scattered matters, bringing everything forward to Deuteronomy, the next, and final section of The Law.
The color and grayscale illustrations from the Bible's Book of Numbers are from my collection of antique religious books. Feel free to use these pictures from the Book of Numbers in your projects. Click on the Book of Numbers illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Book of Numbers image or about purchasing the images from the Book of Numbers at a higher resolution.
When the Israelites in the wilderness murmured about their unhappiness, God punished them by sending among them serpents whose fiery bite was fatal. The people became repentant, and Moses was commanded to make a serpent of brass, whose polished surface shone like fire. He was told to set it upon the banner-pole in the midst of the people. Whoever was bitten by a serpent had but to look up at the Brazen Serpent and live.
This assortment of illustrations of Moses and the Brazen Serpent are from several Bibles and story books. Feel free to use these Brazen Serpent pictures in your artistic creations. Click on the Brazen Serpent drawings below to see more details about saving a free Brazen Serpent image or about purchasing a Brazen Serpent image at a higher resolution.
Deuteronomy, which means "repetition of the law," deals with the final month of Moses' life. It consists chiefly of three discourses delivered by Moses shortly before his death in which, knowing that his death was at hand, this greatest of all prophetic chieftains endeavored to complete his mission, to drive home his teachings, and perpetuate his faith. Included in Deuteronomy are the Song of Moses, the Blessing of Moses, and the story of his death.
This series of images from the Deuteronomy are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures from Deuteronomy in your art projects. Click on the Deuteronomy illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Deuteronomy image or about purchasing the images from Deuteronomy at a higher resolution.
The Book of Deuteronomy deals witht final months of Moses' life and to share something of the actual spirit, the burning words of his final speeches, those
Caleb and Joshua were two of the twelve spies sent by Moses to Canaan. They were the only two of the entire group who encouraged the people to enter boldly into the land and take possession of it. They had walked through a place called Eschol, where grapes were growing so full, that they had to carry the cluster on a large pole. Caleb spoke to the children of Israel and begged them to go at once into Canaan, where there was grain and fruits and plenty to eat and drink. But others urged against it, saying that the cities were surrounded by strong walls. No matter how Caleb and Joshua pleaded, the children of Israel were too afraid to go into Canaan.
On this page you'll find eight images of Caleb and Joshua carrying huge clusters of grapes that they found in Canaan. The pictures are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Caleb and Joshua in your artistic creations. Click on the Caleb and Joshua illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Caleb and Joshua image or about purchasing the images of Caleb and Joshua at a higher resolution.
Balaam, the son of Beor, was a man who had the gift of prophecy. He is mentioned in conjunction with the five kings of Midian. When the Israelites were encamped in the plains of Moab, Balak, the king of Moab, sent for Balaam to curse the children of Israel. Balaam was at first prohibited by God from going, but eventually was allowed to go. He yielded to the temptations of riches and honor which Balak set before him, but God's anger was kindled at this manifestation of determined self-will, and the angel of the Lord stood in Balaam's way as an adversary against him. In the end, Balaam fought with the Midianites against the Israelites, and was slain by the sword of the people whom he had endeavored to curse.
These drawings of Balaam are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these illustrations of Balaam in your artwork. Click on the Balaam pictures below to see more details about saving a free Balaam image or about purchasing the images of Balaam at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find a selection of drawings of the later Life of Moses. With the last, the fortieth, year of Israel's wanderings, the biblical record becomes much more complete. Knowing that the long penenace was almost over, Moses led the nation northward toward Palestine. Again they found the march hard, the desert hot and terrible. Miriam, the prophet's aged sister, died. There was no water, and at their pangs of thirst, the people murmured once more, crying out that they would die. Again Moses appealed to God, and was bidden to speak to a rock, which would give forth the needed water in abundance. It was here that even Moses himself broke down and sinned. Perhaps it was that he did not exactly obey. Instead of merely speaking to the rock, he struck it twice. Perhaps there had been a moment's wavering even in Moses' perfect faith. For this sin, God declared that Moses himself should not enter the promised land, that he too should perish in the wilderness.
The direct way to Palestine by way of Kadesh and Hebron was closed against Moses; therefore, he was compelled to lead his people eastward around the foot of the Dead Sea and so up to the Jordan valley. On the way Aaron was warned that his death was near. It was well known to both brothers that he could not enter the promised land. He had sinned in building the brazen calf, and he had joined in Moses' sin in the time of his lack of faith, so Aaron must die. The long companionship of the brothers was at its end.
Together "in the sight of all the congregation," they ascended a huge mountain, Mount Hor, and they took with them Eleazar, Aaron's eldest surviving son. Eleazar hd been but a boy at the time of leaving Egypt, so against him the general doom of death in the wilderness did not hold. He was to be Aaron's successor as high priest, a stronger one in some ways than his father. Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and placed them on Eleazer. Then Aaron died there in the top of the mount and Moses and Eleazar descended.
These drawings of the Life of Moses are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Life of Moses in your artistic creations. Click on the Life of Moses illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Life of Moses image or about purchasing the images of the Life of Moses at a higher resolution.
When Moses knew it was his time to die, he asked the Lord to choose a man to lead the Israelites as he had done because if they had no one to guide and take care of them, they might be scattered and lost, like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord chose Joshua, and before going up to Mount Nebo, Moses called Joshua before the children of Israel and told them that Joshua would lead them and help them take the Promised Land. Then the Lord commanded Moses and Joshua to go to the tabernacle, where the Lord appeared to them in a pillar of cloud, and appointed Joshua to be ruler over the people after Moses's death.
These five drawings of Moses and Joshua are taken from my collection of old books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Moses and Joshua in your artistic creations. Click on the Moses and Joshua illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Moses and Joshua image or about purchasing the images of Moses and Joshua at a higher resolution.
The Book of Joshua is named from Joshua, the son of Nun, who is the principal character in it. The book may be regarded as consisting of three parts: the conquest of Canaan, the partition of Canaan, and Joshua's farewell. Nothing is really known about the authorship of the book, although Joshua himself is generally named as the author by the Jewish writers and the Christian fathers. However the last verses were obviously added at a later time.
This collection of images from the Book of Joshua are from my antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures from the Book of Joshua in your artwork. Click on the Book of Joshua illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Book of Joshua image or about purchasing the images from the Book of Joshua at a higher resolution.
Joshua, the sun of Nun, of the tribe of Ephrain, was nearly forty years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. Shortly before his death, God told Moses to invest Joshua with authority over the children of Israel. Joshua assumed the command of the people at Shittim, sent spies into Jericho, crossed the Jordan, fortified a camp at Gilgal, kept the passover, and was visited by the Captain of the Lord's host. In six years, Joshua and the Israelites conquered six tribes. As an old man, Joshua proceeded to make the division of the conquered land. He delivered two solemn addresses to the Israelites and died at the age of 110 years. He was buried in his own city, Timnath-serah.
This collection of Joshua Bible images are taken from an assortment of antique Bibles and story books. I hope you'll enjoy using these pictures of Joshua from the Bible in your artistic creations. Click on the Joshua Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Joshua Bible drawing or about purchasing the images of Joshua at a higher resolution.
Achan was an Israelite of the tribe of Judah, who, when Jericho and all that it contained were accursed and devoted to destruction, secreted a portion of the spoil in his tent. For this sin, he was stoned to death with his whole family by the people, in a valley situated between Ai and Jericho. Their remains, together with his property, were burnt. From Achan's Sin, the valley received the name of Achor, which means trouble.
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Jericho, a city of high antiquity, was situated in a plain traversed by the Jordan and was exactly over against where that river was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua. It was five miles west of the Jordan and seven miles northwest of the Dead Sea. It was rulled by a king, and its walls were so considerable that houses were built upon them. The spoil that was found in it reflected its affluence. Jericho is first mentioned as the city to which the two spies were sent by Joshua from Shittim.
These assorted illustrations of Jericho are taken from several Bible books. Feel free to use these drawings of Jericho in your artistic creations. Click on the Jericho pictures below to see more details about saving a free Jericho image or about purchasing an image of Jericho at a higher resolution.
Joshua's people were encamped on the east bank of the Jordan. Across the river lay the huge high-walled city of Jericho, a mighty fortress standing as the south-east gateway of Canaan, and supposed to protect it securely from all such desert wanderers as the tribes of Israel. Joshua, gazing across the river at those tremendous Walls of Jericho, wondered how his people would surmount them, and sent two spies to report upon the land, even as Moses had sent him and his companions forty years before.
On this page you'll find nine images of the Walls of Jericho. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Walls of Jericho in your artistic creations. Click on the Walls of Jericho illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Walls of Jericho image or about purchasing the images of the Walls of Jericho at a higher resolution.
According to the Book of Joshua, the Battle of Jericho wasn't much of a battle at all. The Lord told Joshua that He had given Jericho to him and that he should conquer and possess it. God told all the soldiers, and the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, to walk round the city once every day, for seven days. Seven of the priests were to blow on trumpets and and the people were to shout. And then, God said, the walls would fall down, and they should go in and possess the city. So the people did as God had commanded, and the walls fell down. Except for Rahab and her family, everyone who lived in Jericho was destroyed by the Israelites.
This series of images from the Battle of Jericho are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures from the Battle of Jericho in your artwork. Click on the Battle of Jericho illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Battle of Jericho image or about purchasing the images from the Battle of Jericho at a higher resolution.
Rahab was a celebrated woman of Jericho, who received the spies sent by Joshua to spy out the land. She hid them in her house from the pursuit of her countrymen and was saved with all her family when the Israelites sacked the city. Rahab became the wife of Salmon and the ancestress of the Messiah.
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The Israelites had to pass over the River Jordan to go into Canaan. But the river was wide, and there was no bridge, nor any ships to carry them over. God told Joshua to command the priests to take up the Ark of the Covenant and to go before the people. When the priests came to the River Jordan, and their feet were dipped into the water, the waters divided, and stood up like a wall. The priests with the ark went through first, and the people followed on dry ground.
When they had all passed over, Joshua called twelve men, one from each tribe, and told them to each take a stone from the Jordan river, from the place where the priests' feet had stood upon dry ground. These twelve stones Joshua set up in Gilgal so that in the future the children of Israel would know the story of God's bringing his people through the River Jordan on dry ground.
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Ai, was the second city taken by Israel after the passage of the Jordan. It was situated east of Bethel and "beside Bethaven," and was destroyed by the Israelites after their passage through the River Jordan. Following Joshua's victory against Ai, he built an altar of great stones on the mountain called Ebal. He covered the stones with plaster and wrote on the plaster the words of God's law, as Moses had commanded the children of Israel to do before they crossed over Jordan.
On this page you'll find illustrations of Ai from the Bible taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. Feel free to use these pictures of Ai from the Bible, in your artistic creations. Click on the Bible Ai illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image of the ancient city of Ai or about purchasing the images of Ai at a higher resolution.
Soon after Joshua had made peace with the Gibeonites, the Five Kings of the Amorites heard of it, and went to Gibeon to fight against it. The fearful Gibeonites went to Joshua for protection, and with God's help, the Israelites were able to defeat the Five Kings. During the battle, the Five Kings fled and hid in a cave where they thought Joshua could not find them. However, Joshua soon discovered where they were, and when the fighting was over, Joshua brought the five kings out and had them killed.
These six illustrations of the Five Kings are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Five Kings in your artwork. Click on the Five Kings drawings below to see more details about saving a free Five Kings image or about purchasing the images of the Five Kings at a higher resolution.
The Amorites were one of the chief nations who possessed the land of Canaan before its conquest by the Israelites. The Amorites dwelt on the elevated portions of the country. During the battle between the Israelites and the Amorites, God sent huge hail-stones down from heaven which killed many of the Amorite soldiers. It is also during this battle, that Joshua asked God to perform the miracle of making the sun and moon stand still so that there would be enough light to see the enemy in the valley of Ajalon. The sun and moon stayed as they were for several hours, until all the Amorites were conquered.
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Book of Judges
The Book of Judges is so called because it deals with the times when Israel was ruled by judges, at least in so far as the people had any rulers at all. Its authoship has been attributed by tradition to the prophet Samuel and also to King Solomon. The book is in two sections-- the first begins with the death of Joshua and gives an account of the days and deeds of six notable judges: Othniel, Ehud, Deborah with Barak, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson with reference to six other judges of lesser importance. The closing chapters narrate two separate events: the story of the migration of a portion of the tribe of Dan and the tale of the civil war against the tribe of Benjamin.
The Book of Judges is written with the clear purpose of showing the punishment of sin. It seeks to explain why the Israelites were for so many generations denied the complete possession of the Promised Land which had been assured to them. They disobeyed God, they made friends with the idolatrous Canaanites, forgot their Creater, and lapsed in the debased religion of their neighbors. Consequently, they were punished by foreign invasion, by civil war among themselves, and by attacks of the Canaanites.
This series of images from the Book of Judges are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures from the Book of Judges in your artwork. Click on the Book of Judges illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Book of Judges image or about purchasing the images from the Book of Judges at a higher resolution.
Gideon was the youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, an undistinguished family who lived at Ophrah, a town probably on the west of Jordan, in the territory of Manasseh, near Shechem. He was the fifth recorded judge of Israel, and many consider him to be the greatest of them all. When he first appears in the Bible, Gideon was a grown man and had sons, and from the appearance of the angel, we might conclude that he had already proven himself in war against the roving bands of nomadic robbers who had oppressed Israel for seven years.
This collection of images of Gideon are from many old Bible story books. Feel free to use these pictures of Gideon in your projects. Click on the Gideon illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Gideon image or about purchasing the images of Gideon at a higher resolution.
One day, Gideon was threshing wheat in a secret place, afraid that the Midianites would see him and take his corn away. Suddenly Gideon looked up and saw an angel near him, sitting under an oak. The angel was there to comfort him and to tell him that he would be the deliverer of his country. The angel told him that the Lord would be with him to give him the power to defeat the Midianites.
On this page you'll find Gideon Bible images taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Gideon Bible pictures in your artistic creations. Click on the Gideon Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image of Gideon in the Bible or about purchasing the images Gideon at a higher resolution.
These images of Gideon's Trumpet show that Gideon's small army of 300 soldiers did not have swords, spear, bows, or arrows; however, they had God to fight for them. Gideon divided his army into three companies and gave every man a trumpet, as well as a pitcher with a lamp inside. At night they went to the Midianites' camp, and when Gideon commanded, they blew with the trumpets and broke the pitchers, and shouted, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon." The Midianites heard the commotion and were so frightened that they fell upon one another, killing their own friends, fathers, and brothers. Those who were not killed, fled and were killed by the Israelites.
These illustrations of Gideon's Trumpet are from a number of Bible books in my collection. Feel free to use these pictures of Gideon's Trumpet in your artistic creations. Click on the Gideon's Trumpet drawings below to see more details about saving a free Gideon's Trumpet image or about purchasing images of Gideon's Trumpet at a higher resolution.
In the Gideon Story, Gideon asked God for a sign to show that he would be successful in leading the Israelites in their fight against the Midianites. He told the Lord that he would put a lamb's fleece on the ground at night, and if the fleece was wet with dew in the morning but the ground around it was dry, then Gideon would know that God intended to save Israel from its enemies. God did as Gideon asked, which gave Gideon the faith he needed to be strong in battle.
On this page you'll find nine images of the Gideon Story taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Gideon Story in your artistic creations. Click on the Gideon Story illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Gideon Story image or about purchasing the images of the Gideon Story at a higher resolution.
Jephthah's Daughter, his only child, heard of her father's battle victory against the Ammonites. She waited for his return to Mizpeh, and on his approach, Jephthah's daughter went out to meet her father, singing and dancing with timbrels. When she discovered that her father had given a vow to God to offer the first thing he saw on his return from victory as a burnt offering, she told her father that she understood. She spent two months in the mountains mourning with ther friends, and when she returned, Jephthah did with her as he had vowed.
These drawings of Jephthah's Daughter is from a collection of Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of Jephthah's Daughter in your artwork. Click on the Jephthah's Daughter illustrations below to see more details about saving a Jephthah's Daughter image or about purchasing images of Jephthah's Daughter at a higher resolution.
Jephthah was a judge in Israel for about six years. He had been driven from his home in Gilead by his envious half-brothers. Years later, his fame as a bold and successful captain was carried back to his home, and the Gileadites asked him to be the captain of their army against the Ammonites. Jephthah agreed. Hoping for God's help in battle, he made a solemn vow that he would offer up as a burnt offering the first thing that would come out to meet him upon his return home following a victorious battle. The Ammonites were soundly defeated, but when Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpeh, he was horrified to find that the first thing to greet him was his daughter.
On this page you'll find nine images of Jephthah taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Jephthah in your artistic creations. Click on the Jephthah illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Jephthah image or about purchasing the images of Jephthah at a higher resolution.
The son of Manoah, a man of the town of Zorah, Samson was a judge of Israel for twenty years, a Nazarite, and one with supernatural power. As a judge, Samson's authority seems to have been limited to the district bordering upon the country of the Philistines. He was endowed with vast personal strength and undaunted bravery.
This collection of illustrations of Samson are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Samson in your projects. Click on the Samson drawings below to see more details about saving a free Samson image or about purchasing the images of Samson at a higher resolution.
The connection betwen Samson and Delilah proved to be his undoing. Delilah lived in the valley of Sorek. Delilah constantly asked Samson the source of his strength, and three times Samson allowed Delilah to bind him. Each time Samson easily released himself. Fiinally, wearied out with Delilah's nagging, he told her all his heart. While he was asleep, Delilah had him shaven of his seven locks of hair. Weak as a lamb, Samson was captured by his enemies.
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One day when Samson was grown up, he went to Timnath to marry a young Philistine woman. As Samson passed the vineyards of Timnath, a lion rushed out of the woods and began to roar against Samson. Although Samson had no weapon, Samson and the Lion fought together with Samson using only his bare hands and his great strength, and he tore the lion to pieces.
After a time, Samson passed the place where he had killed the lion and went to look at the dead body of the animal. Some wild bees had made their nest in the lion's carcass, and Samson ate the honey that he found there.
On this page you'll find nine illustrations of Samson and the Lion taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Samson and the Lion in your artistic creations. Click on the Samson and the Lion drawings below to see more details about saving a free Samson and the Lion image or about purchasing the images of Samson and the Lion at a higher resolution.
The Samson Bible story starts before Samson was born, when his mother was visited by an angel of the Lord who told her that she and her husband, Manoah, would have a son who would deliver Israel from the Philistines. Later Manoah was also visited by an angel, who told him that their son was to be a Nazarite, and must never drink wine nor cut his hair. Soon after they had a son whom they named Samson.
When Samson got older, he wrestled with the lion. He also married a Philistine woman, against his parents' advice. He went to their wedding feast and told an impossible riddle about the lion and the honey, which the Philistines were only able to answer because of Samson's new wife. In order to pay the men for guessing the riddle correctly, Samson killed thirty Philistine men from Ashkelon, and took from them what he owed the riddle guessers.
Soon after his wife was take away and he was told that she had been married to a different man and was not allowed to see her. In his anger, he put fires on the tails of 300 foxes and let them loose to destroy the Philistine corn fields. For this, his wife and her family were killed with fire. Samson was still more angry and he killed many more Philistines in return.
On this page you'll find nine Samson Bible pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these drawings of Samson from the Bible in your artistic creations. Click on the Samson Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Samson Bible image or about purchasing the images of Samson in the Bible at a higher resolution.
After Samson's wife and family were murdered, the Samson Story continues with Samson avenging their deaths. Later he killed 1000 Philistines using only the jawbone of an ass. Samson was thirsty after this battle, and when he prayed to God for water, a well sprang up and Samson became strong again.
Once, when Samson was visiting the city of Gaza, the Philistines shut him in the city, intending to kill him in the morning, but at midnight he went out and tore away the gates, with the posts and bar, and carried them to the top of a hill looking toward Hebron.
Because of Delilah's betrayal of Samson, he was eventually captured by the Philistines. They put out Samson's eyes and led him down to Gaza, bound in fetters, and made him grind in the prison.
These illustrations of the Samson Story are from several old Bible story books. Feel free to use these Samson Story drawings in your artistic creations. Click on the Samson Story pictures below to see more details about saving a free Samson Story image or about purchasing images of the Samson Story at a higher resolution.
These Samson Pictures illustrate the final day of Samson's life. After spending time in prison, alone and blind and without any friend to comfort him, he had time to think about God and to pray for the pardon of his sins. And as Samson's hair started to grow, Samson begain to feel his amazing strength again.
During a feast to worship their god, Dagon, the Philistines decided to bring in Samson in order to mock him. They placed him between two pillars that supported the temple. Samson asked the boy who guided him to let him feel the pillars. Then with a prayer to God asking for strength one last time, he pushed with all his might against the two pillars until they yielded and the house fell killing all 3000 people who had gathered there. Samson died as well; he had killed many people who were his enemies when he was alive and strong, and at his death, he killed many more.
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Deborah, the "mother of Israel," is the most prominent woman in the Old Testament She was Israel's one female "judge" and a chief prophetess, ever faithful and devoted to her people. For twenty years she watched in silence, as the Canaanites oppressed the children of Israel. Then divine inspiration came to her. She sent word to Barak, a chief of the northern tribe of Naphtali, that deliverance was at hand. At her summons Barak marched southward with a thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun. The terrible general of Jabin, Sisera, gathered a tremendous army to fight against Barak. Barak hesitated to attack the enemy, and only agreed to fight if Deborah accompanied him, which she did. Inspired by her presence, the Israelites met Sisera by the banks of the Kishon river and completed destroyed his army.
This set of Deborah Bible illustrations are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these Deborah Bible pictures in your artistic projects. Click on the Deborah Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Deborah Bible image or about purchasing the Deborah Bible images at a higher resolution.
Sisera was the captain of the army of Jabin, king of Canaan. He lived in Harosheth of the Gentiles. After his army was routed by Barak and Deborah on the plain of Esdraelon, Sisera fled to the tent of the Kenite chieftainess, Jael. He accepted Jael's invitation to enter her tent, and she covered him with a mantle as he lay wearily on the floor. When thirst kept Jael from sleeping, and he asked for water, Jael brought him buttermilk in her finest vessel. At last, with a feeling of perfect security, Sisera fell into a deep sleep. Then Jael took one of the great wooden stakes which fastened down the cords of the tent, and with one terrible blow of a mallet, dashed it through Sisera's temples deep into the earth. She then watied for the pursuing Barak and led him into her tent so she might claim the glory of Sisera's death.
On this page you'll find seven illustrations of Sisera taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Sisera in your artistic creations. Click on the Sisera pictures below to see more details about saving a free Sisera image or about purchasing the images of Sisera at a higher resolution.
The last episode in the Book of Judges deals with the Tribe of Benjamin. A Levite woman was murdered while visiting the Benjamite city of Gibeah. Her distraught husband took his wife's dead body to his home in Ephrain and sent a message to Israel where all vowed to go to Gibeah to avenge the woman's death. Thus began the murderous civil war agaisnt the tribe of Benjamin. Thousands upon thousands perished-- men, women, and children. Eventually, only six hundred fighting men were able to escape.
After their anger against the Benjamites had cooled, the Israelites were horrified that one tribe of twelve, should disappear. So twelve thousand men were sent against the city of Jabesh-gilead, which had not joined with the other tribes in battle. The Israelites captured the city, killed the men, and took all the women as wives for the remaining Benjamites. The remaining men of the Tribe of Benjamin went to the city of Shiloh, where the maidens were dancing in fields for their yearly feast. The men carried off as many women as they needed for wives. Thus was Benjamin re-established among the tribes.
On this page you'll find pictures of this story of the Tribe of Benjamin taken from my collection of Bible story books. You're welcomed to use these drawings of the Tribe of Benjamin in your projects. Click on the Tribe of Benjamin illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Tribe of Benjamin image or about purchasing the images of the Tribe of Benjamin at a higher resolution.
This exquisite collection of twenty-five illustrations of Bible Women are from the book Women in Sacred History by Harriet Beecher Stowe, copyright 1873. Of the illustrations in the book, the publisher writes: "... In every case an accurate copy in oils was painted by a skillful artist, and this, together with photographs from the original pictures, the best impressions from the best engravings, etc., formed the basis on which Jehenne, the artist-lithographer, founded his conscientious work."
I hope you enjoy using these wonderful pictures of Bible Women in your artistic creations. Click on the Bible Women portraits below to see more details about saving a free Bible Woman image or about purchasing a copy of one of the Bible Women at a higher resolution.
The nine portraits of Women of the Bible found on this page are from the book Women in Sacred History by Harriet Beecher Stowe, copyright 1873. I hope you enjoy using these beautiful pictures of Women of the Bible in your art projects. Click on the Women of the Bible paintings below to see more details about saving a free Women of the Bible image or about purchasing a copy of one of the Women of the Bible at a higher resolution.
The eight illustrations on this page of Women in the Bible are from the book Women in Sacred History by Harriet Beecher Stowe, copyright 1873. I hope you have fun viewing and using these colorful portraits of Women in the Bible in your projects. Click on the Women in the Bible lithographs below to see more details about saving a free Women in the Bible image or about purchasing an image from Women in the Bible at a higher resolution.
The Book of Ruth is placed by the modern Jewish canon among the Hagiographa, the unrelated body of holy writings which form the third section of the bible. The book has sometimes been regarded as a mere appendix to Judges or even as an actual part of that book, a detached story similar to that of the migration of Dan or the war against Benjamin. The story of Ruth is represented as happening during the period of the judges, and has a direct historical bearing in that it tells of the ancestors of King David. The authorship of the Book of Ruth is not known, although it was probably composed in the days after the Exile. From a literary standpoint, the Book of Ruth is highly valued. It is a pastoral idyl, almost a poem, depicting the life of the Israelites in their days of peace.
This series of images from the Book of Ruth are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures from the Book of Ruth in your artwork. Click on the Book of Ruth illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Book of Ruth image or about purchasing a picture from the Book of Ruth at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find images of Ruth alone, as well as Ruth and Naomi together. Naomi was the wife of Elimelech and Ruth's mother-in-law. Her name is derived from a root signifying sweetness or pleasure. Naomi left Judea with her husband and two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, during a time of famine and went to the land of Moab. At the end of ten years Naomi, now left a widow and childless, heard that there was plenty again in Judah. She told her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, that she wanted to return home to Bethlehem. Orpah decided to return to her own people, but Ruth, who loved Naomi with all her heart, resolved to return to Bethlehem beside Naomi.
These nine images of Ruth and Naomi were taken from my collection of old story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Ruth and Naomi in your art projects. Click on the Ruth and Naomi illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Ruth and Naomi image or about purchasing the pictures of Ruth and Naomi at a higher resolution.
There are pictures of Boaz and Boaz and Ruth in this section. Boaz was a wealthy man from Bethlehem, kinsman to Elimelech, the husband to Naomi. He was known as a man of noble character. One day the keen-eyed master noticed a strange woman in the field and questiond his head servant about her. When he heard that she was Ruth, the Moabite woman who had devoted herself to Naomi, his heart pitied her, and he addressed her in words of praise for her self-sacrifice. Boaz acted towards Ruth with true affection as well as wisdom and generosity. After a time, Boaz became the guardian of Naomi and Ruth, and Boaz and Ruth were married. Their son, Obed, became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.
On this page you'll find nine illustrations of Boaz and Ruth. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Boaz and Ruth in your art work. Click on the Boaz and Ruth drawings below to see more details about saving a free Boaz and Ruth image or about purchasing the images of Boaz and Ruth at a higher resolution.
The Ruth Story continues when Ruth and Naomi came into Bethlehem during harvest time. People were all very busy reaping barley and binding it into sheaves. Poor people would walk behind the workers in the fields and gather up the corn left on the ground. When Ruth was living at home with Naomi, she did not wish to be idle, so she went out to glean in the fields of Boaz. Ruth was very industrious, which made quite an impression on Boaz as he watched her in the fields.
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Ruth of the Bible was Moabitish woman. She was the wife of Mahlon first, and later to Boaz. The Ruth Bible story is told at such length because this stranger from outside of Israel became the ancestress of David, Israel's foremost king, and from David's descendants was to arise the long expected Messiah. Ruth is one of the four women who are named by St. Matthew in the Bible in the genealogy of Christ. So favorably had Ruth impressed the elders of Bethlehem that when Boaz announced his intention to wed her, there was no opposition but only the warmest blessings.
The Ruth Bible illustrations on this page are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Ruth Bible pictures in your creative projects. Click on the Ruth Bible drawings below to see more details about saving a free Ruth Bible image or about purchasing the images of Ruth from the Bible at a higher resolution.
The Book of Job takes the form of a poetical drama. It is, at least in part, the earliest of the poetic books of the Bible, and the oldest drama in the world. It opens with a prose prelude, telling who Job was and how his difficulties arose. Job apparently lived about the time of Moses, so that we must associate with our ideas of him and of the scenes among which he moved, the partriarchial simplicity of those early days.
The book consists of five parts: the historical facts, the discussion between Job and his three firends, Job's discussion with Elihu, God speaking out of the storm, and the successful termination of the trial. The Book of Job is a discussion of the great problem of human life-- How can the terrible suffering which sometimes falls upon the righteous be explained and justified?
This series of images from the Book of Job are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures from the Book of Job in your artwork. Click on the Book of Job illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Book of Job image or about purchasing the images from the Book of Job at a higher resolution.
The Job Bible illustrations on this page deal with the beginnings of Job's trials. Job was the chief citizen in the region where he lived. He acted as a sort of judge among his neighbors, deciding their disputes. He was noted not only for wisdom and power, but for his charity. Job's prosperity seemed to suggest that he was specially favored of Heaven for his goodness.
The first blow inflicted upong Job affected his cattle. A band of marauders attacked the herdsmen, slew them, and drove away the cattle. A second disaster occured when lightning blasted Job's entire mass of seven thousand sheep, consuming them in one huge flame and also destroying their shepherds. Thirdly, a band of Chaldean men attacked the keepers of the camels, kiling them and driving the camels away. Then a fourth messenager arrived to report that Job's ten children had all perished as the result of a dread whilrwind and typhoon. Yet even in the face of that last, most awful sorrow, Job did not fail the Lord, His wealth gone, most of his servants slain, his beloved chilren dead, Job still turned to God with submissive reverence.
On this page you'll find nine Job Bible pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Job Bible pictures in your art projects. Click on the Job Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Job Bible image or about purchasing the images of Job from the Bible at a higher resolution.
After Job's great proof and triumph of his faith in God, the Job Story continues with Satan declaring to God that the greatest suffering is actually that of personal affliction. The Lord told Satan that he had not tested Job far enough. He bade Satan try Job with physical illness, and Satan savagely accepted the mission, covering Job's body with painful boils. Still, Job accepted this bodily torment with philosophic calm.
But Job was to be afflicted with other trials: first his wife came to despise and deny religious faith. Then Job's friends confronted him with more subtle tempations of doubt and questioning during their discussions. Job's friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, initially came to mourn with Job and give him comfort, but ultimately, they became his enemies. They insisted on denying Job's goodness, on closing their eyes to it. They cling to their worldy view that we must measure results only by this life and by its material prosperity, that here, and now, a man must have practical payment in wealth and friends for all his spiritual uprightness. Job scorns the three for their obstinancy. He declares that God watches men, and measures their deeds, but the workings of His Will are beyond human interpretation or understanding. His justice must be of the future.
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Theis series of Pictures of Job conclude Job's story. Elihu, a young bystander, steps forward and acknowledges the former uprightness of Job, yet declares that at present Job is sinning by self-righteousness, by presuming to pass judgment on God, and by speaking in such a way as must bring other men to despair, disturb their faith and confidence in God, and so bring them also into sin. Elihu reasserts that God is a power of good, not of evil, and that his justice cannot fail.
At this point, God appears to Job and his friends, as thunder clouds approach and a great wind whirls around them. God speaks of all his great accomplishments and the wonders He had created. God challenges Job until Job admits his folly and humbly cries out for mercy. After Job's friends prepare a sacrifice to God, Job prays for their pardon, and with this final act, his suffering is removed from his mind and body. In the end, Job was returned to his former prosperity, and more. He regained his sheep, camels and oxen, and again had seven sons and three daughers. And he lived to be a hundred and forty years old.
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The Book of Jonah is about Jonah, the fifth of the minor prophets, who was the son of Amittai and a native of Gath-hepher. He lived in or before the reign of Jeroboam II, about 820 B.C. The Book of Jonah holds only a doubtful position among the others, for its chiefly an account of Jonah written by some other man. Moreover, Jonah was the most unwilling of these great preachers to accept his mission, delivering his divine message only when forced to do so.
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The story of Jonah and the Whale opens with the divine summons to Jonah to go to Nineveh, the great Assyrian capital, whose monarchs were already begining to domineer over Palestine. Jonah was to warn the Assyrians against their sins and threaten them with the wrath of God. But Jonah feared death at the hands of these fiece foes. So he disobeyed God, and sought to hide from Him. Taking a ship from Palestine he sailed for far-off Tarshish. The ship was shaken by a great tempest. The men aboard the ship were convinced that this tremendous storm was directed against someone on the ship. Jonah confessed that he had indeed rebeled against God, so the other men flung him overboard, and the storm ceased.
The Lord had prepared a huge sea monster to punish Jonah. (Neither the Hebrew nor the English vesion of the bible calls this monster a whale.) It swallowed Jonah, and for three days he remained in darkness, imprisoned within the body of the "great fish." While Jonah was in the whale, he prayed to the Lord, confessing his sin and asking for pardon. God heard Jonah's humble cry and the fish cast Jonah out upon the dry land.
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After his deliverance from the sea monster, the Prophet Jonah did as God had asked. The king of Nineveh, believing Jonah to be a messenger from the Lord and having heard of his miraculous escape from the whale, ordered a general fast for his people and averted the threatened judgment by god. But the Prophet Jonah, not from personal but national feelings, grudged the mercy shown to a heathen nation by God. Jonah was therefore taught the significant lesson of the "gourd," meant to teach the prophet the error of selfishness. Afterwards Jonah became a true teacher and leading prophet in his own land of Israel and a chief counsellor of the great king, Jeroboam II.
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The two books of Samuel were originally one. The division between the two parts was made by Christian writers after the time of Christ, and was not accepted by Hebrew scholars until the sixteenth century. The theme of 1 Samuel, as now divided from the second, is the abandonment of the old theocratic government of Israel and the founding of the kingship.
It begins with the story of Samuel, the last of the priestly "judges" over Israel, tells of his achievements, of the clamor of the people for a king, of Samuel's selection of Saul for the high office, and of Saul's brilliant but tragic career, closing with his death. Toward the end of the book, Saul's successor, David, becomes a more prominent figure than the king.
The authorship of the books is unknown. The Hebrews say that Samuel himself wrote at least the earlier part of the first book. A similar suggestion is found in the Bible. Probably there were several early works, including a life of Samuel, and a life of Saul. Those were incorporated, about the time of King Josiah, into a single narrative including Judges, Samuel, and Kings. This work was then divided into its three larger books after the downfall of Jerusalem.
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The First Book of Samuel begins before the birth of Samuel, with his mother, Hannah. Hannah has long been regarded by both Jewish and Christian commentators as typifying the Church of God yearning for the coming of the Messiah, enduring deep misery while looking forward to a period of beatitude. So Hannah yearned for the birth of a son. She was a childless woman, wife of Elkanah, a wealthy Ephraimite. Hannah endured in silent sorrow under the worst curse that could befall a Hebrew woman. Hannah vowed that if she had a child, he would be devoted wholly to God's service.
One day Hannah and her husband went to worship at the sanctuary of the ark at Shiloh. The high-priest, Eli, overheard her earnest prayers to God to give her a son. At first, Eli thought Hannah was drunk, and rebuked her, but when he discovered the truth, he bade her go in peace, saying: "And the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him." Such words from the chief priest seemed to Hannah to have the force of prophecy, and her sadness was lifted. Just as she had anticipated, she had a son, whom she called Samuel. Hannah nurtured her son until the age of three; then, following her vow, she brought him to Shiloh and presented him to Eli, who accepted the child as a gift to the Lord.
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Eli, a descendant of Aaron through Ithamar, and the youngest of his two surviving sons, was the first of the line of Ithamar who held the office of high priest. The office remained in his family till Abiathar was thrust out by Solomon. The character of Eli is marked by eminent piety, as shown by his meek submission to the divine judgment and his supreme regard for the ark of God. In addition to the office of high priest, he held that of judge. He died at the advanced age of 98 years, overcome by the disastrous intelligence that the ark of God had been taken in battle by the Philistines, who had also slain his sons Hophni and Phinehas.
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The life of Young Samuel in the temple can be pictured for us with considerable detail. There were numerous children employed in the service of the sanctuary at Shiloh, but none apparently so young or so entirely devoted to it as young Samuel. The first three years with his religious mother, Hannah, must have made a deep imprint upon him. Moreover, he still continued to see her once a year, when she came to worship with her husband. She attended to his clothing and to his financial needs. Even at his first presentation, when he was but three years old, she had made for him a tiny ephod of linen, a garment such as the grown priests wore, and in which Samuel prayed.
Samuel spent twelve years at the temple, waiting upon Eli as his personal attendant, caring for the altar in the tabernacle, lighting the sacred candles, and sleeping in a chamber adjoining that of his aged master, so as to be of service if called upon at night. When Samuel was still young, a voice called him from his bed; Young Samuel thought that it was Eli calling and hastened to him. But Eli sent him back. Three times the voice awoke Samuel, until Eli realized what the child did not, that God was speaking to him. The voice foretold a coming punishment upon Israel and particularly upon Eli and all his family because he had so neglected his high duties. When Samuel disclosed the revelation to Eli, the old priest bowed himself in sorrow and submission.
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Samuel was the son of Elkanah and Hannah, and was born at Ramathaimzophim, among the hills of Ephraim. Before his birth, he was dedicated by his mother to the office of a Nazarite, and when a young child, he was placed in the temple, and "ministered unto the lord before Eli." It was while here that he received his first prophetic call.
He next appeared, probably twenty years afterward, suddenly among the people, warning them against their idolatrous practices. Then followed Samuel's first and, as far as we know, only military achievement, which raised him to the office of "judge." He visited, according to his duties as ruler, the three chief sanctuaries on the west of Jordan--Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh. His own residence was still his native city, Ramah, where he married and had two sons.
In his old age, Samuel shared his power with his sons, but the people, dissatisfied, demanded a king. Samuel anointed Saul under God's direction, and Samuel surrendered to him his authority, although he still remained a judge. He was consulted far and near on the small affairs of life. From this fact, combined with his office of ruler, a reverence grew around him. No sacrificial feast was thought complete without his blessing. A unique virtue was believed to reside in his intercession.
After Saul was rejected by God, Samuel anointed David in his place, and Samuel became the spiritual father of the psalmist-king. The death of Samuel is described as taking place in the year of the close of David's wanderings. It is said with peculiar emphasis, as if to mark the loss that all of Israel felt.
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The return of the ark brought to Israel a disaster not unlike that which the Philistines had suffered. The over-curious people handled the ark with little reverence, and because of this profanation a great plague smote Israel. After that the people submitted themselves wholly to the commands of the Prophet Samuel.
The prophet was raised to Eli's double position, acting as both priest and the last of the judges. Samuel erected a new shelter for the ark at Kirjath-jearim. Here for twenty years the Prophet Samuel preached and taught, until he had brought Israel back to a knowledge of the true God. He reformed and changed the people as no man had done since Joshua's day.
When at length Samuel thought his followers were ready, he marshalled them once more against the Philistines after offering a sacrifice to God. In the midst of the ceremony, the Philistines attacked. "But the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines." So completely were they defeated, that the Israelites were again independent, and there was peace thereafter "all the days of Samuel."
However, as Samuel grew old, and his sons rose to ineffectual power, the people of Israel decided that the priestly rule had grown too weak; they were determined to have a king "like all the nations." Samuel warned against this plan, but the people insisted. The voice of God came to Samuel, bidding him to yield to the people's will, and so the Lord lead Samuel to Saul, who was anointed as the first king of Israel.
On this page you'll find nine pictures of the Prophet Samuel taken from my collection of old Bible story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Prophet Samuel in your art projects. Click on the illustrations of the Prophet Samuel below to see more details about saving a free Prophet Samuel image or about purchasing the images of the prophet Samuel at a higher resolution.
The Samuel Bible story continues with Samuel learning from God that Saul was the youth who was destined to be Israel's chieftain. So with a vial of oil the prophet anointed Saul as king, consecrating him to the service of the Lord.
During his rule, Saul repelled the Philistines with his son, Jonathan, and stood for a moment at the pinnacle of his power. Then the aged Samuel, coming out of his honorable retirement, brought the command of the Lord directing Saul to attack Israel's most ancient foe--the Amalekites of the desert--and to destroy every living creature among them. Saul fought Amalek willingly, but in his growing self-confidence, he presumed to disobey the remainder of the command. He kept the king of the desert dwellers as a captive, and their herds as spoil.
Samuel went to Saul to rebuke him. These two, who had been allies for so long, had now reached the parting of their ways, for Saul was a trickster who only pretended to have obeyed God. When Samuel tried to turn away from him in scorn, the king seized Samuel's robe to hold him. The garment was torn across in a jagged rent; as a result, Samuel prophesied that even at that moment was the kingdom being rent away from Saul. Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, although Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
On this page you'll find nine Samuel Bible pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Samuel Bible drawings in your projects. Click on the Samuel Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Samuel Bible image or about purchasing the images of Samuel from the Bible at a higher resolution.
Jonathan of the Bible was the eldest son of King Saul. He was a man of great strength and activity. He was also famous as a warrior, as is demonstrated by the courage he showed in attacking the garrison of the Philistines. Accompanied only by his armor-bearer, he slayed twenty men and put an army to flight. During the pursuit, Jonathan, who had not heard of the the rash curse which Saul invoked on anyone who ate before the evening, tasted some honey which lay on the ground. Saul would have sacrificed him, but the people interposed on behalf of the hero of that great day, and Jonathan was saved.
The chief interest of Jonathan's career is derived from the friendship with David, which began on the day of David's return from the victory over the champion of Gath, and continued until Jonathan's death. Their last meeting was in the forest of Ziph, during Saul's pursuit of David. From this time forth, we hear no more until the battle of Gilboa. In that battle Jonathan fell; his ashes were moved with those of his father to Zelah in Benjamin. The news of his death occasioned the celebrated elegy of David.
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David is celebrated in history as the great founder of the Israelite monarchy, the wise and able chieftain who welded this loose federation of tribes into a single nation and used its forces successfully in the establishment of an empire. Next to Moses, he is the most prominent figure in the Old Testament history of the Hebrew race.
To most of us, however, David is less familiar as a king than as a man, a man whose whole life has been laid bare before us with a frankness such as few lives could stand. No other portion of the Old Testament extends to such fullness of detail as do the chapters dealing with David's life. They are elaborately minute. Their hero is perhaps the most admirable, and at the same time the most lovable figure in all history. His life was indeed stained by one great crime, which plunged his later days into sorrow, heroically endured. But that crime was sincerely repented and patiently atoned, and revealed the full humanity of the man, his mingled strength and weakness, and, above all, his loyal, confident faith in his Maker's goodness and forgiveness.
David has often been quoted as typifying man's true attitude toward God. Yet a third fame belongs to David as a poet and musician, composer of many of the beautiful Psalms which form one of the great treasures of the Bible.
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Though King Saul wavered in his attitude toward David, there was one who did not hesitate. That was the king's heroic son Jonathan. Jonathan was quick to recognize in David a nature kindred to his own. Perhaps also he felt the coldness of his father's reception of their deliverer, since Jonathan himself had suffered from the wild and unjust temper of his father, who would have slain him in the very hour of their greatest victory.
So Jonathan welcomed David at once at that first meeting; his soul went out to the victorious youth as to a brother. Perhaps the two young men left Saul's presence together, for we learn that David and Jonathan made an immediate compact of friendship.
Later, when Saul approached Jonathan about slaying David, Jonathan went at once to his friend to warn him of the danger, and the two planned for David's flight. Meanwhile Jonathan bravely faced his father, openly rebuking him and reminding him of David's faithfulness and of his vast services to Israel. Through other trials, Jonathan remained David's loyal friend and protector until the day of Jonathan's death at the hands of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.
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Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, was the first king of Israel. His character is in part illustrated by the fierce, wayward, fitful nature of the tribe, and in part accounted for by the struggle between the old and new systems in which he found himself involved. To this we must add a tendancy towards madness, which broke out in violent frenzy at times, leaving him with long lucid intervals. He was remarkable for his strength and activity and for his gigantic stature, taller by head and shoulders than the rest of the people.
His birthplace is not expressly mentioned, but Zelah in Benjamin was probably his native village. His father, Kish, was a powerful and wealthy chief, though the family to which he belonged was of little importance. A portion of Kish's property consisted of a drove of asses. Saul was sent to find the asses, which had gone astray on the mountains. During this adventure, Saul met with Samuel for the first time at his home in Ramah, five miles north of Jerusalem.
A divine intimation had made known to Samuel the approach of Saul, whom he treated with special favor, and the next morning descending with him to the skirts of the town, Samuel poured the consecrated oil over Saul's head, and with a kiss of salutation, announced to him that he was to be the ruler of the nation. At Mizpeh, lots were cast to find the tribe and family which was to produce the king, and Saul was found hidden in the circle of baggage which surrounded the encampment.
Returning to Gibeah, apparently to private life, Saul heard the threat issued by Nahash, king of Ammon, against Jabesh-gilead. Saul speedily collected an army, and Jabesh was rescued. The effect was instantaneous on the people, and the monarch was inaugurated at Gigal.
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The childhood of Shepherd David was such as to fit him most effectively for the great work of his later years. He was born in the tumultuous days of Saul's ill-balanced kingship, when Israel was struggling for her life against the increasing power of the Philistines. The land knew no peace, no security. A Philistine attack was always possible, or a raid from the more distant desert tribes, or even some sudden blow from the hand of Saul himself.
David was the youngest of ten children, and in a family of full grown men, he was the least noted, the least important. His duty was to tend his father's sheep, a work involving much wandering over the bleak hills, in storm as well as sunshine, in silence and in solitude, a life of self reliance and meditation, a life which still finds its echo in many of those wonderful Psalms which the Shepherd David learned to sing.
One incident alone of his solitary shepherd life has come down to us-- his conflict with the lion and the bear in defence of his father's flocks. David told Saul the story of meeting the beasts in combat in order to convince the king that he could defeat Goliath in battle. David told Saul, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine."
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The story of David and Goliath begins when the Philistines gathered their armies together to fight against Israel. The camps of the Philistines and the Israelites were on two opposing mountain tops with a valley between them. Out of the camp of the Philistines came a giant-- Goliath of Gath. He was ten and a half feet high and covered from head to toe with brass armor. He challenged the men of Israel to choose one man from the army to fight against him. Whomever won the fight would make servants of their enemies. But the men of Saul's army were greatly afraid, and no one was willing to go out and fight Goliath.
Meanwhile, David was feeding his father's sheep at Bethlehem. His father sent him to take provisions to the army where his brothers were fighting. At Israel's camp, David learned of the situation with Goliath and volunteered to fight against him. Saul was skeptical, but David's faith and determination won him over, and Saul agreed to the battle between David and Goliath. Saul even offered David his armor to wear, but David refused. He took his shepherd's staff, and he chose five smooth stones out of the brook, which he put in his shepherd's bag. With his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.
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The battle of David vs Goliath continued when the giant Philistine first came near to David and thought him not worth fighting, for David seemed not like a soldier, strong and brave, such as Goliath had expected. Instead, David was like a shepherd boy, gentle, and with a beautiful face, who had never seen a battle.
Goliath called on the idols that he worshipped to curse David as he approached the boy. David made haste and ran toward him. He put his hand in his shepherd's bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine between the eyes. The stone sunk into the giant's forehead, and he fell down upon the earth. So David overcame the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, for there was no sword in his hand.
David ran and stood upon the Philistine, took his sword from him, and killed him. Then he used the sword to cut off the giant's head. When all the Philistines saw that the man in whom they trusted was slain, they fled. The army of Israel rose up and chased and killed many of them and then went back to the Philistines' camp and plundered it. David came from the battle with the head of Goliath in his hand.
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The story of David and Samuel begins when Samuel is told by God to go to Bethlehem, to the home of Jesse, to anoint another king to eventually replace Saul. When the sons of Jesse were brought before Samuel, he would have selected the eldest, but the divine whisper checked him. As each of Jesse's seven older sons passed bebore Samuel, the Lord rejected each. The puzzled prophet asked if there were no other son, and young David was summoned from the sheepfold.
At the sight of David, Samuel knew at once that this youth was the one chosen of God to be His king. So the prophet made preparation and anointed David there in the presence of his family, pouring upon his head the horn of oil. This ceremony was no slight matter. Had knowledge of it come to Saul, he might have slain not only David and Samuel, but David's entire family. Indeed the prophet had gone to Bethlehem under pretense of making a religious sacrifice, and the anointment of David was not made before the general public. Even David's own family may not have known the true import of the ceremony. They continued to look upon the youth as a mere shepherd boy, not as a future king. David himself might not even have been told at first for what purpose the Lord had chosen him. Yet his heart was at that moment set upon the future, and his meditations turned to high and noble things.
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It was David's Harp that helped soothe Saul's brooding sickness. The king's servants, seeking by every means to help their master, whom they still loved, found that music calmed his melancholy fits as nothing else could. David was already known as a singer and player upon the harp. Saul sent word to Jesse, David's father, bidding him send the boy to the king's court. So David came, bearing a simple present to the monarch, and there, the sound of David's harp soothed Saul's troubled soul. The king owed gratitude to Dave, for David's music left him feeling refreshed and well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
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Following David's defeat of Goliath and the end of the war against the Philistines, Saul and David had many struggles. Saul felt David to be more popular than himself among the people of Israel, and more deserving, and was fearful that David would replace him as king. Although David had long been the established musician of the king, soothing him in his fits of melancholy madness, the jealous king now lost all pleasure in David's music and watched him suspiciously.
There came a day when Saul's jealousy burst through. His evil spirit was plaguing him. Why should he worry his mind ceaselessly about David, when a single blow would end all doubt? The sudden impulse overcame the horror of the deed. Snatching up his bladed javeline, Saul hurled it at David. Apparently, Saul twice attempted to pierce David this way, but the quick witted David evaded the blow, sudden as it must have been. David did not blame Saul but attributed his actions to the evil spirit which possessed the king.
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The early life of Young David contains many antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son in a family of ten and was born in Bethlehem in 1085 B.C. He was of short stature, with red or auburn hair. He had bright eyes and generally was remarkable for the grace of his figure and countenance and his immense strength and agility. His swiftness and activity made him like a wild gazelle, his feet like hart's feet, and his arms strong enough to break a bow of steel.
After the anointing of young David by Samuel, David resumed his accustomed duties of tending his father's sheep, and the next we know of him he was summoned to Saul's court to chase away the king's madness with his music. After this he returned to the old shepherd life again. One incident alone of his solitary life has come down to us-- his conflict with the lion and the bear in defence of his father's flock.
It was some years after this that David suddenly appears before his brothers in the camp of the army, and hears of the defiant challenge of the Philistine giant Goliath. With his shepherd's sling and five small pebbles he goes forth and defeats the giant. Through his great faith and bravery, he earns the loyalty and lasting friendship of Saul's son, Jonathan, as well as the king's suspicion and jealousy.
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Once allies, David and Saul had become foes. Fearing Saul's wrath, David had gone into exile, hiding with his family and a small band of men. So close and keen was Saul's pursuit of David that at one time when David and his men were in the wilderness of Engedi, by the Dead Sea, the king entered the very cave where the outlaws crouched in hiding. The dim place seemed empty, and Saul, being weary, left his troops outside, set a guard at the entrance, and laid himself to sleep within the cave, feeling secure.
Such astonishing good fortune seemed a miracle to the men who had cowered there in the gloom expecting every moment to be discovered. Their thought was that David would slay Saul, but David would not, believing that he would ascend the throne when God was ready, and not by such bloody means. Instead, David cut off a piece of Saul's robe as he slept.
Eventually, Saul rose up and left the cave unaware of the drama around him. David followed and called after him. When the king turned at David's call, David told how he had spared the king, holding up the piece of the robe as proof. As David called for Saul's mercy, Saul's better nature returned to him for a moment. He wept and called David son, as David called him father. Saul drew off his army and returned to Jerusalem, but David did not go with him. David had learned from sad experience how suddenly the king's shattered mind might change.
On this page you'll find nine images of David and Saul taken from my collection of old books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of David and Saul in your artistic creations. Click on the David and Saul illustrations below to see more details about saving a free David and Saul image or about purchasing the images of David and Saul at a higher resolution.
These Goliath Bible images show the giant whom David slew at Ephes-dam-mim. In the account of the fight he is spoken of as a Philistine from Gath. He was so politically, but it does not follow that he was of the ordinary Philistine blood. Presumably, Goliath of the the Bible, was of the rephaite or giant breed. He was said to be anywhere from nine to eleven feet high. If he was measured in his armor, from the ground to the top of his helmet-crest, this is not incredible, though he is probably the largest man of whom we have any authentic record of that time.
The Goliath Bible story is easily one of the most frequently illustrated. On these pages you'll find thirty-two Goliath Bible pictures taken from my collection of antique story books. You're welcomed to use these Goliath Bible drawings in your projects. Click on the Goliath Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Goliath Bible image or about purchasing the images of Goliath from the Bible at a higher resolution.
The following Goliath Pictures give some idea of the imposing stature of the giant. He was so extraordinary that his very appearance inspired terror. His height was above eight feet, and his bulk proportionate, so that he must have weighed four hundred pounds at least. But the arms that he bore were even more formidable and massive than his size. He was protected by a coat of mail that weighed more than one hundred and fifty pounds, while beneath this and on his limbs were greaves of brass, the value of which at that time was greater than gold. He wore a helmet made of the same metal. He carried a spear that was so heavy he had to support it on his shoulder; the head of it was made of iron, a metal even more rare than brass, which weighed above twenty pounds. Several attendants followed behind carrying his shield, which was made to resemble a moon.
These Goliath Pictures are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these Goliath Pictures in your artwork. Click on the Goliath Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Goliath Picture or about purchasing a picture of Goliath at a higher resolution.
The Giant Goliath had a voice as terrible and frightening as his appearance, for when he cried out it was like the deep tones of thunder. Relying upon his amazing strength and the massive armor that he wore, he marched down from the Philistine camp into the valley below and hurled defiance at the Israelites, challenging "the servants of Saul" to fight him. But no one was bold enough to approach. Every day, for forty days, the giant went into the valley near the Israelites' camp, and bellowed at them, returning to the Philistines at evening to gloat over his valor and the cowardice of the enemy.
Eventually David arrived, without armor, and with only his staff, a sling, and five round stones he had picked up from a nearby brook. The Giant Goliath spoke scornfully to David, but David replied that he had come as a servant of God, in whom he relied for victory. He ran swiftly towards his huge antagonist. When within a few yards of Goliath, David placed a stone in his sling, and whirling it twice about his head, let the missile fly. In another moment the two armies saw the mighty giant stagger and fall forward onto his face. The stone had crashed through the giant's forehead and deep into his brain. David ran towards his fallen foe, and used Goliath's sword to cut the giant's head clean from his body. He held it aloft to show both armies how he had vanquished the vain-boasting giant.
These images from of the Giant Goliath are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Giant Goliath in your artwork. Click on the Giant Goliath illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Giant Goliath image or about purchasing the images of the Giant Goliath at a higher resolution.
These David Bible illustrations deal with the second part of David's life. The victory over Goliath had been a turning point in his career. Saul inquired about David's parentage, and eventually took David to his court. David's first position seems to have been as armor-bearer, followed by captain over a thousand, and finally, on his marriage with Michal, the king's second daughter, he was raised to the high office of captain of the king's body guard.
David was now chiefly known for his successful exploits agains the Philistines. He also still perfomed from time to time the office of minstrel, but the successive attempts of Saul upon his life convinced him that he was in constant danger. However, he had two faithful allies in the court-- Jonathan and Michal. Warned by the one and assisted by the other, he escaped by night, and became a fugitive.
At first he found a home at the court among the Philistines, but that was cut short by the national enmity of the Philistines against their former conqueror, and he only escaped by feigning madness. He hid in caves with his family and a motley crowd of discontented men who formed the nucleus of his army as he was hunted by Saul. It was also during this time that he married Abigail and Ahinoam. Finally came the news of the battle of Gilboa and the death of Saul and Jonathan. His mourning and lamentation over the deaths of his rival and his friend close the First Book of Samuel and the second period of David's life.
The David Bible pictures on these pictures are taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these David Bible pictures in your art projects. Click on the David Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free David Bible image or about purchasing the images of David from the Bible at a higher resolution.
For the first year after Samuel anointed him king, Saul had a very limted rule of Israel. But the Saul Bible story continues in the seond year of his reign, with Saul beginning to organize an army in an attempt to shake off the Philistine yoke. Driving back the Philistines to their own country placed Saul in a position higher than that of any previous ruler of Israel, and he made war upon the neighboring tribes. His impetuous zeal resulted in him receiving two curses from Samuel, and almost cost him the life of his son, Jonathan.
The rest of Saul's life is one long tragedy. The frenzy which had given indications of itself before, at times took almost entire possession of him. In this crisis David and his music were recommended to Saul. From this time forward their lives were intertwined. In Saul's better moments he never lost the strong affection which he had for David. But his jealousy and acts of fierceness increased.
On this page you'll find eight Saul Bible pictures from my personal book collection. You're welcomed to use these Saul Bible drawings in your art projects. Click on the Saul Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Saul Bible image or about purchasing the images of Saul from the Bible at a higher resolution.
The monarchy of King Saul broke down under the weakness of its leader. The Philistines re-entered the country, and just before giving them battle, Saul's courage failed, and he sought the advice of a female spiritualist. The next day the battle came on. The Israelites were driven up the side of Gilboa, and Saul's three sons were slain. Saul fell wounded. According to one account, he fell upon his own sword and died.
The body on being found by the Philistines was stripped and decapitated, and the headless trunk hung over the city walls with those of his three sons. Saul's armor was placed in their chief temple as a trophy, for indeed he had been a very terrible enemy to the Philistines for many years
But after dark, the men of the nearby city of Jabesh, the chief town of the Gileadites, secretly took down the bodies. These were burned with honor at Gilead, while the people wept and fasted and prayed for help from God. So ended the tragic lives of Saul and Jonathan.
These illustrations of King Saul are from several old Bible books. Feel free to use these drawings of King Saul in your artistic creations. Click on the King Saul pictures below to see more details about saving a free King Saul image or about purchasing an image of King Saul at a higher resolution.
The Philistines had re-enterd the country, and just before going against them in battle, Saul's courage failed, and he consulted one of the necromancers, the Witch of Endor, who had escaped persecution. It is impossible to determine the relative amount of fraud or of reality in the scene that passed between them, though the obvious meaning of the narrative itself tends to the hypothesis of some kind of apparition.
After Saul promised to hold her blameless, the witch consented to summon out of the darkness any spirit whom Saul named. The king called for the shade of the dead prophet Samuel. When Samuel appeared, he reproved Saul sternly, while the king, broken and despairing, bowed himself at the feet of his old master, crying out that God had cast him off, and entreating the prophet for guidance.
Samuel told Saul that because he had not obeyed the voice of the Lord that he and his three sons would die at the hands of the Philistines. The shadow disappeared, and Saul fell prostrate and fainting to the earth. His attendants were terrified, so they cheered him, forced food upon him, and slowly brought him back to such life and courage as were left to him, now that he felt himself to be face to face with death at last.
This set of images of the Witch of Endor are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Witch of Endor in your artwork. Click on the Witch of Endor illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Witch of Endor image or about purchasing the images of the Witch of Endor at a higher resolution.
In The Book of Zecharaiah, an angel of the highest order, one who stands before God, appears in contrast with angels of an inferior class, whom he employs as his messengers and agents. In Daniel, the appellation, "one of the chief princes," and "the great prince" are given to Michael. The Grecian Jews described them as Archangels. This denotes a chief of the angels, one superior to the other angels, like the term chief priest. The opinion that there were various orders of angels was not particular to the Jews, but was held by Christians in the time of the apostles, and is mentioned by the apostles themselves. The distinct divisions of the angels, according to their rank in the heavenly hierarchy, which we find in the writings of the later Jews, were either almost or wholly unknown in the apostolical period. These images of Archangels are from my collection of antique religous books. Feel free to use the Archangel drawings in your artwork. Click on the Archangel illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Archangel image or about purchasing the pictures of Archangels at a higher resolution.
The Archangel Michael is reverenced as the first and mightiest of all created beings. He was worshipped by the Chaldeans, and the Gnostics taught that he was the leader of the seven angels who created the universe. After the Captivity, the Hebrews regarded him as all that is implied by the Prophet Daniel when he says, "Michael, the great prince which standeth for the children of they people."
It is believed that the Archangel Michael will be privileged to exalt the banner of the Cross on the Judgment Day, and to command the trumpet of the archangel to sound; it is on account of these offices that he is called the "Bannerer of Heaven."
This collection of images of the Archangel Michael are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Archangel Michael in your artwork. Click on the Archangel Michael illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Archangel Michael image or about purchasing the images of the Archangel Michael at a higher resolution.
Michael the Archangel is represented in art as young and severely beautiful. In the earliest pictures his drapery is always white and his wings of many colors, while his symbols, indicating that his conquests are made by spiritual force alone, are a lance terminating in a cross, or a sceptre.
Later, it became the custom to represent him in a costume with such emblems as indicated the nature of the work in which he was engaged, and except for the wings, his picture might often be mistaken for that of a celestially radiant knight, since he is clothed in armor and bears a sword, shield, and lance. But his seraphic wings and his bearing mark him as a mighty spiritual power, and this impression is increased rather than lessened, when in all humilty he is in the act of worship before the Divine infant, or stands in reverent attitude near the Madonna, as if to guard her and her heaven-sent son.
On this page you'll find several images of Michael the Archangel taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Michael the Archangel in your artistic creations. Click on the Michael the Archangel illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Michael the Archangel image or about purchasing the images of Michael the Archangel at a higher resolution.
The Archangel Gabriel is mentioned only twice by name in the Old Testament--when he explained the vision which the prophet had seen, and again when he gave Daniel skill and understanding. Likewise in the New Testament he is mentioned twice--when he announced to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist, and to the Virgin Mary that she was favored of the Lord, and blessed among women. On each of these occasions he filled the office of a messenger or bearer of important tidings. It is believed to have been the Archangel Gabriel who fought with the Angel of the Kingdom of Persia for twenty-one days, when Michael came to his relief, and Gabriel again visited Daniel to strengthn him.
In the apochryphal legends he also foretells the birth of Samson, and that of the Virgin Mary. From these frequently repeated messages which foretold important births, Archangel Gabriel naturally came to be regarded as the angel who preseides over childbirth.
On this page you'll find nine Archangel Gabriel pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these drawings of the Archangel Gabriel in your art projects. Click on the Archangel Gabriel illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Archangel Gabriel image or about purchasing the images of Archangel Gabriel at a higher resolution.
The Archangel Raphael is esteemed as the guardian angel of the human race. He especially protects the young and innocent, and he guards pilgrims and travellers from harm. It was the Archangel Raphael who warned Adam of the danger of sin and declared to him its dread consequences.
Representations of the Archangel Raphael are far less numerous than are those of Michael and Gabriel. They are always pleasing, and present him as a benign, sympathetic, and companionable friend to those whom he serves. His symbol is habitually a pilgrim's staff; as a guardian he wears a sword, and has a small casket or vase, containing the "fishy charm" against evil spirits. He wears a pilgrim's dress, has sandals on his feet, and a pilgrim bottle or wallet hangs from his belt. His flowing hair is bound by a diadem, and his beautiful face expresses the benevolence of this character and mission.
On this page you'll find drawings of Archangel Raphael taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Archangel Raphael in your artistic creations. Click on the Archangel Raphael illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Archangel Raphael image or about purchasing the images of Archangel Raphael at a higher resolution.
These Cherub Pictures or pictures of Cheribum, reveal the symbolic figure so called because it was a composite creature-form which finds a parallel in the religious insignia of Assyria, Egypt, and Persia. A cherub guarded paradise, and figures of cherubim were placed on the mercy-seat of the ark.
It seems likely that the word "cherub" meant not only the compsite creature-from, of which the man, lion, ox, and eagle were the elements, but further, some peculiar and mystical form. Some suppose that the pictures of cherubs represent God's providence among men, the four faces expressing the character of that providence: its widom and intelligence (man), its strenth (ox), its kingly authority (lion), its swiftness, and far-sightedness (eagle).
Others, combining all the other references with the description of the living creatures in Revelation, make the cherubim to represent God's redeemed people. The qualities of the four faces are those which beong to God's people. Their facing four ways, towards all quarters of the globe, represents their duty of extending the truth. The wings show swiftness of obedience, and only the redeemed can sing the song put in their mouths in Revelations.
On this page you'll find Cherub Pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Cherub Pictures in your art projects. Click on the Cherub Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Cherub Picture or about purchasing the Cherub Pictures at a higher resolution.
Seraphim Angels are an order of celestial beings, whom Isaiah beheld in a vision standing above Jehovah as he sat upon his throne. They are described as having each of them three pairs of wings, with one of which they covered their faces (a token of humility), with the second they covered their feet (a token of respect), while with the third they flew. They seem to have borne a general resemblance to the human figure. Their occupation was twofold--to celebrate the praises of Jehovah's holiness and power, and to act as the medium of communication between heaven and earth.
This set of images of Seraphim Angels are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of Seraphim Angels in your artwork. Click on the Seraphim Angels illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Seraphim Angel image or about purchasing the images of Seraphim Angels at a higher resolution.
These Angel Images represent the "messengers" of God, a race of sprititual beings of a nature exalted far above that of man, although infinitely removed from that of God--whose office is "to do do him service in heaven, and by his appointment to succor and defend men on earth."
There are many passages in Scripture, in which the the expression "angel of God" is used for a manifestation of God himself. It is to be observed, also, that side by side with these expressions we read of God's being manifested in the form of man-- as to Abraham at Mamre, Jacob at Pennel, Joshua at Gilgal, etc. Besides this, which is the highest application of the word angel, we find the phrase used of any messengers of God, such as the prophets, the priests, and the rulers of the Christian Churches.
On this page you'll find nine Angel Images taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Angel Images in your artistic creations. Click on the Angel Images below to see more details about saving a free Angel Image or about purchasing the Angel Images at a higher resolution.
Christian Angels of the New Testament, while exempt from need and suffering, have sympathy with human sorrow, rejoice over repentance of sin, attend on prayerful souls, and conduct the spirits of the just to heaven when the earthly life is ended.
As early as the fourth century the Christian Church had developed a profound belief in the existence of both good and evil angels--the former ever tempting human beings to sin, and the indulgence of their lower natures; the latter inciting them to pursue good, forsaking evil and pressing forward to the perfect Christian life. This faith is devoutly maintained in the writings of the Fathers of the Church, in which we are also taught that angelic aid may be invoked in our need, and that a consciousness of the abiding presence of celestial beings should be a supreme solace to human sorrow and suffering.
This series of images of Christian Angels are from my collection of antique Bible and art books. Feel free to use these pictures of Christian Angels in your artwork. Click on the Christian Angel illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Christian Angel image or about purchasing the images of Christian Angels at a higher resolution.
Contrary to what we often see in Angel Pictures, the Scriptures never makes mention of female angels. In the Scriptures the angels are all males, and they appear to be so represented not to mark any distinction of sex, but because the masculine was considered the more honorable gender. Angels are never described with marks of age, but sometimes with those of youth. The constantmabsence of the features of age indicates the continual vigor and freshness of immortality. The angels nver die. But no being besides God himself has essential immortality; every other being therefore is mortal in itself and can be immortal only by the will of God. Angels, consequently, are not eternal, but had a beginning. These Angel Pictures are from my collection of old art and Bible books. Feel free to use these Angel Pictures in your artwork. Click on the Angel Pictures below to see more details about saving free Angel Pictures or about purchasing the Angel Pictures at a higher resolution.
In these Pictures of Angels we find that angels are usually robed, and are represented in accordance with the work in which they are engaged. Strictly speaking, the wand is the angelic symbol, but must be frequently omitted, as when the hands are folded in prayer, or muscial instruments are in use, and in a variety of other occupations. All angels are said to be masculine. Pictures of angels show them as having human forms and faces, young, beautiful, perfect with an expression of other-worldliness. They are created beings, therefore not eternal, but they are never old, and should not be infantile. Such representations as can be called infant angels should symbolize the souls of regenerate men, or the spirits of such as die in infancy-- those of whom Jesus said that "in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father."
These Pictures of Angels are from the book my collection of art and religious books. Feel free to use these Pictures of Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Pictures of Angels below to see more details about saving a free Picture of Angels or about purchasing Pictures of Angels at a higher resolution.
When looking at these Free Angel Pictures, it's interesting to note that during the first three centuries of Christianity, the representation of angels was not permissible. Angels pictured in the illuminated manuscripts and the mosaics of the fifth century were crudely depicted.
Until the tenth century, angel pictures were curiously formed, and more curiously draped. In the earliest pictures of angels the drapery was ample, and no unusual attitudes, no insufficient robes, nor unsuitable expression was seen in such representations so long as religious art was at its best. White would be the prevailing color of angelic drapery, but delicate shades of blue, red, and green were frequently employed with wonderful effect. The Venetians used an exquisite pale salmon color in the drapery of their angels, but no dark or heavy colors are seen in the robes of angels in the pictures of the old Italian masters. The early German painters, however, affected angelic draperies of vast expanse and weighty coloring, embroidery, and jewels.
On this page you'll find nine Free Angel Pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and art books. You're welcomed to use these Free Angel Pictures in your art projects. Click on the Free Angel Pictures below to see more details about saving a Free Angel Picture or about purchasing the Free Angel Pictures at a higher resolution.
As we view these Guardian Angel Pictures it is interesting to know that it was a favorite opinion of the Chrstian fathers that every individual is under the care of a particular angel, who is assigned to him as a guardian. The Jews entertained this belief, as do the Moslems. The heathens held it in a modified form-- the Greeks having their daemons and the Romans their genius. However, there is nothing to support this notion in the Bible.
The representaion of guardian angels in the more homely relations--watching sleeping infants, guiding their feeble steps, and shielding them from accidents--are modern. To the end of the sixteenth century, guardian angels, while engaged in all these minor duties, according to the teaching of the Church, were only represented in art as perfoming solemn and superhuman deeds. This may have resulted from the fixed belief of the old artists in these angelic beings, and their deep reverence for them, while modern artists are simply seeking a graceful and poetric subject.
These Guardian Angel Pictures are from my collection of old books. Feel free to use these Guardian Angel Pictures in your artwork. Click on the Guardian Angel Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Guardian Angel Picture or about purchasing the Guardian Angel Pictures at a higher resolution.
One of the earliest examples of Archangel Art can be found in the old church of San Michele at Ravenna. The mosaic in the apse exhibits Christ in the center, bearing in one hand the cross as a trophy or sceptre, and in the other an open book. On each side stand Michael and Gabriel, two of the most well-known archangels, with vast wings and long sceptres. Their names are inscribed above, but without the Sanctus and without the Glory. It appears that in the middle of the sixth century, the title of Saint, though in use, had not been given to the Archangels.
This collection of Archangel Art is from my an old book in my personal library. Click on an Archangel Art image below to see more details about saving a free piece of Archangel Art or about purchasing the Archangel Art at a higher resolution.
Under the head of Angels it was stated that the heavenly host is divided into three hierarchies with Archangels belonging to the third. They are the seven angels who stand in the presence of God and are considered to be his extraordinary ambassadors. Archangel Pictures generally show them with naked feet similar to the Apostles and divine persons. Their ensign is a banner on a cross, as representing Victory. They are usually armed with a sword or dart and are clothed as princes and warriors, with breastplates of gold, and with coronets and crosses on their foreheads to show that they warred against the devil and his angels.
The seven Archangels are introduced in some of the most beautiful works of Christian art, such as in The Last Judgment, and The Crucifixion. They also may appear individually in other works, such as in The Expulsion, The Sacrifice of Abraham, and The Annunciation.
These Archangel Pictures are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these Archangel Pictures in your artwork. Click on the Archangel Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Archangel Picture or about purchasing the Archangel Pictures at a higher resolution.
This Free Angel Clip Art depicts angels, which is a general term denoting a subordinate superhuman being in monotheistic religious, e.g. Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and allied religions. There is a sharp distinction of kind, as well as degree, between God on the one hand, and all other superhuman beings on the other. The latter are the angels.
In the New Testament angels appear frequently as the ministers of God and the agents of revelation. The distinction of good and bad angels is recognized. They often appear in groups of four or seven. Besides the seraphim and cheribim, angels are not spoken of as having wings. On the other hand, they appear and vanish, exercise miraculous powers, and fly.
On this page you'll find nine images of Free Angel Clip Art taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use this Free Angel Clip Art in your artistic creations. Click on the Free Angel Clip Art below to see more details about saving a Free Angel Clip Art image or about purchasing Free Angel Clip Art at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Christian Quotes are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these Christian Quotes in your artistic projects. Click on a Christian Quote below to see more details about saving free Chrisitan Quotes or about purchasing the Christian Quotes at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Religious Quotes are from an old religous book from my collection. Feel free to use these images of Religious Quotes in your artistic creations. Click on the Religious Quotes below to see more details about saving a free Religious Quotes image or about purchasing a Religious Quotes at a higher resolution.
This series of images of illustrated Spiritual Quotes are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of Spiritual Quotes in your artwork. Click on the Spiritual Quotes below to see more details about saving a free Spiritual Quote or about purchasing the images of Spiritual Quotes at a higher resolution.
These illustrated Bible Proverbs is from one of my antique Bible books. Feel free to use these Bible Proverbs in your creative projects. Click on the Bible Proverbs below to see more details about saving a free Bible Proverb image or about purchasing the Bible Proverbs at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine illustrated Bible Sayings taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Bible Sayings in your art projects. Click on the Bible Sayings below to see more details about saving a free Bible Saying image or about purchasing the Bible Sayings at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine images of Inspirational Bible Quotations taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Inspirational Bible Quotations in your artistic creations. Click on the Inspirational Bible Quotation illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Inspirational Bible Quotation or about purchasing the images of Inspirational Bible Quotations at a higher resolution.
This series of images of Inspiring Bible Verses are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these Inspiring Bible Verses in your artwork. Click on the Inspiring Bible Verse illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Inspiring Bible Verses or about purchasing the images of Inspiring Bible Verses at a higher resolution.
This gallery of images for Christian Holidays is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these illustrations of Christian Holidays in your arts and crafts. Click on the Christian Holiday images below to see more details about saving a free Christian Holidays illustration or about purchasing the Christian Holiday images at a higher resolution.
This series of images for Christmas are from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these pictures of Christmas in your artwork. Click on the Christmas illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Christmas image or about purchasing the images for Christmas at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine images Christmas Pictures taken from my collection of antique postcards. You're welcomed to use these Christmas Pictures in your artistic creations. Click on the Christmas Pictures below to see more details about saving free Christmas Pictures or about purchasing the Christmas Pictures at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine Christmas Images taken from my collection of antique postcards. You're welcomed to use these Christmas Images in your art projects. Click on the Christmas Images below to see more details about saving a free Christmas Images or about purchasing the Christmas Images at a higher resolution.
This selection of Christmas Graphics is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Christmas Graphics in your artwork. Click on the Christmas Graphics below to see more details about saving a free Christmas Graphic or about purchasing the Christmas Graphics at a higher resolution.
These illustrations of Christmas Art are from my collection of old postcards. Feel free to use this Christmas Art in your artistic creations. Click on the Christmas Art below to see more details about saving a free Christmas Art image or about purchasing a drawing of Christmas Art at a higher resolution.
This series of images of Christmas Scenes are from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these pictures of Christmas Scenes in your artwork. Click on the Christmas Scenes below to see more details about saving a free Christmas Scene image or about purchasing the images of Christmas Scenes at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine images of the Christmas Nativity taken from my collection of antique postcards. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Christmas Nativity in your artistic creations. Click on the Christmas Nativity illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Christmas Nativity image or about purchasing the images of the Christmas Nativity at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find an assortment of Christmas Clip Art taken from my collection of antique postcards. You're welcomed to use this Christmas Clip Art in your projects. Click on the Christmas Clip Art below to see more details about saving a free Christmas Clip Art image or about purchasing the Christmas Clip Art at a higher resolution.
These Pictures of Christmas are from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Pictures of Christmas in your artwork. Click on the Pictures of Christmas below to see more details about saving a free Picture of Christmas or about purchasing the Pictures of Christmas at a higher resolution.
Each Christmas Picture on this page is from my collection of vintage postcards. Feel free to use a Christmas Picture in your artistic creations. Click on a Christmas Picture below to see more details about saving a free Christmas Picture or about purchasing a Christmas Picture at a higher resolution.
This series of Free Christmas Clip Art is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use this Free Christmas Clip Art in your artwork. Click on the Free Christmas Clip Art below to see more details about saving a Free Christmas Clip Art image or about purchasing the Free Christmas Clip Art at a higher resolution.
This group of Easter images is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use this Easter art in your creative endeavors. Click on the Easter images below to see more details about saving a free Easter illustration or about purchasing the Easter images at a higher resolution.
These illustrations for the Easter Holiday are from the book my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Easter Holiday images in your artistic creations. Click on the Easter Holiday pictures below to see more details about saving a free Easter Holiday image or about purchasing a Easter Holiday drawing at a higher resolution.
This series of Easter Pictures are from my collection of old postcards. Feel free to use these Easter illustrations in your artwork. Click on the Easter Pictures below to see more details about saving a free Easter picture or about purchasing the Easter pictures at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine images of decorative Easter Greetings taken from my collection of old postcards. You're welcomed to use these pictures Easter Greetings in your artistic creations. Click on the Easter Greeting illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Easter Greeting image or about purchasing the images of Easter Greetings at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find Christian Easter pictures taken from my collection of antique postcards. You're welcomed to use these Christian Easter pictures in your art projects. Click on the Christian Easter illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Christian Easter image or about purchasing the images of a Christian Easter at a higher resolution.
These Religious Easter illustrations are from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Religious Easter pictures in your artwork. Click on the Religious Easter images below to see more details about saving a free Religious Easter image or about purchasing the Religious Easter drawings at a higher resolution.
These Easter Cards are from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Easter Cards in your artwork. Click on the Easter Cards below to see more details about saving a free Easter Card image or about purchasing the Easter Cards at a higher resolution.
These colorful illustrations of Easter Flowers are from several old postcards in my collections. Feel free to use these Easter Flowers in your artistic creations. Click on the Easter Flowers below to see more details about saving a free Easter Flower image or about purchasing these Easter Flowers at a higher resolution.
This series of Easter Cross illustrations are from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these pictures of Easter Crosses in your artwork. Click on an Easter Cross drawing below to see more details about saving a free Easter Cross picture or about purchasing an Easter Cross at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find six images of Easter Angels taken from my collection of vintage postcards. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Easter Angels in your artistic creations. Click on the Easter Angels illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Easter Angel or about purchasing the images of Easter Angels at a higher resolution.
On this page you'll find nine Easter Quotes taken from my collection of old postcards. You're welcomed to use these Easter Quotes pictures in your art projects. Click on the Easter Quotes illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Easter Quote or about purchasing the images of Easter Quotes at a higher resolution.
These Easter Poems are from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Easter Poems in your artwork. Click on an Easter Poem below to see more details about saving a free Easter Poem image or about purchasing the Easter Poems at a higher resolution.
This Easter Art is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use this Easter Art in your creative endeavors. Click on the Easter Art below to see more details about saving a free Easter Art image or about purchasing Easter Art at a higher resolution.
Th colorful Easter Clip Art is taken from a number of antique postcards in my collection. Feel free to use the Easter Clip Art in your artistic creations. Click on the Easter Clip Art images below to see more details about saving free Easter Clip Art or about purchasing Easter Clip Art at a higher resolution.
This selection of images sending Easter Wishes is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Easter Wishes in your artwork. Click on the illustrations of Easter Wishes shown below to see more details about saving a free Easter Wishe or about purchasing the images of Easter Wishes at a higher resolution.
This series of Easter Images is from my collection of antique postcards. Feel free to use these Easter Images in your artwork. Click on the Easter Images below to see more details about saving a free Easter Image or about purchasing an Easter Image at a higher resolution.
The second book of Samuel consists of twenty-four chapters, beginning with David's lament over the death of Saul, and tracing the career of Israel's greatest king down to the period of his old age, leaving his death for the Book of Kings which follows.
It is with the material of 2 Samuel that the detailed portion of First Chronicles also begins; and from there to the period of Judah's captivity, we have a double narrative. The history recounted in Chronicles duplicates much of that in 2 Samuel, sometimes repeating the exact words. Chronicles however, deals chiefly with religious or priestly events, while 2 Samuel regards the worldly or kingly side of the same story.
Consequently, in 2 Samuel we are shown David as a mighty conqueror and as a deeply human man. We are told first of his sorrow over the breaking of old associations with the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and then of his politic moves and his establishment in Hebron as King of Judah. Next comes the downfall of Saul's last adherents and David's establishment as king over all Israel. He conquesrs peace at home, and then triumphs abroad and becomes ruler of an empire. This he organizes, consolidates, and makes secure. Then the book tells of his private life, his sin, repentance, and punishment. After that comes his old age, with the tragic rebellion of his beloved son.
The final chapters form a sort of appendix deserting the chronological order of the remainder of the book. They are probably a later addition or insertion into the body of the work. Their religious worth and literary beauty have made them very famous.
These images from 2 Samuel are from a variety of old books in my collection. Feel free to use these illustration of 2 Samuel in your artistic creations. Click on the 2 Samuel drawings below to see more details about saving a free Samuel 2 image or about purchasing a picture from Samuel 2 at a higher resolution.
David's first effort after defeating the Philistines and driving them out of Israel was to restore in its true form the worship of the One God, almost forgotten of the people. Ever since the days of Samuel, the Holy Ark of God had remained as if half-forgotten, in the little town of Kirjath-jearim where it had been placed when the Philistines returned it from its captivity. David summoned all the land to a great religious festival. The Holy Ark was to be established in high honor within the walls of the new capital. At the head of thirty thousand armed men to prevent all possibility of interruption, and accompanied by dancers and singers, the king marched in procession to Kirjath-jearim, and securing the Holy Ark, set out to escort it to Jerusalem.
Yet all David's thirty thousand men proved insufficient to bring the ark up to Jerusalem. Its progress was not barred by hostile men, but by the hand of God. The ancient Law of Moses had given special directions for the carriage of this ark. It was to be handled only by certain men of the Levites, and only in a certain way. David had apparently forgotten these laws, or had never known them. The Holy Ark was placed upon an ox-cart, when it should have been carried by hand. Moreover, when at a rough place in the road the oxen stumbled, the man Uzzah, who was not a Levite, caught hold of the ark to guard it from falling. He imediately sank down dead.
The splendid procession halted in dismay. David himself was awed and frightened; his purpose was shaken. So David brought the ark not to Jerusalem, but into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
This series of images of David leading the Holy Ark back to Jerusalem and the death of Uzzah are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Holy Ark in your projects. Click on the Holy Ark illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Holy Ark image or about purchasing the images of the Holy Ark at a higher resolution.
During David's war against the Ammonites for the city of Rabbah, David committed the greatest sin of his life. While walking upon the roof of his house late one evening, he obsrved a very beautiful woman bathing in a house nearby. He became infatuated with her appearance and sent a messenger to inquire who she was. He soon discovered that her name was Bathsheba, and that she was the wife of Uriah, Joab's armor-bearer, who was with Joab fighting the Ammonites. This information caused the king to contrive a heinous plan by which he could possess Bathsheba.
He sent word to Joab, ordering that Uriah be brought to him. When Uriah answered David's summons, David received him with kindness and the pretensions of friendship, but when David sent Uriah back to the army, he wrote to Joab, secretly instructing him to arrange for Uriah's death during battle.
All was done as David had commanded, and Uriah fell fighting at the gates of Rabbah after proving himself to have been the most valorious man of all Israel.
Bathsheba soon became pregnant with David's child. The Lord proclaimed his punishment on David for what he had done to Uriah. Bathsheba and David's child was stricken with disease and soon died. David was repentant and contrite and accepted the Lord's decree. This earned him the favor of God, who comforted him with forgiveness. After Bathsheba and David were lawfully married, God gave them another child, Solomon, who was afterward the glory of his kingdom.
On this page you'll find five images of Bathsheba taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Bathsheba in your artistic creations. Click on the Bathsheba illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Bathsheba image or about purchasing the images of Bathsheba at a higher resolution.
Prophet Nathan lived during the reigns of Kings David and Solomon. He first appears in the consultation with David about the building of the temple. He next comes forward as the reprover of David for the sin with Bathsheba, and his famous parable on the rich man and the ewe lamb, which is the only direct example of his prophetic power shows it to have been of a very high order.
No man dared publicly rebuke the king, yet the thing was whispered among some, or perhaps directly revealed by God to the prophet Nathan. Nathan, despite all the danger of braving the king and perhaps being slain to preserve the secret, resolved to rebuke David's guilt. For this purpose, he appealed to David in private to decide for him a case at law. He told the king a parable of a poor man who possessed but one ewe lamb, dearly loved by him and his children. From this poor man, a rich and powerful neighbor, having many flocks, rent away the one ewe lamb, and made a feast with it.
David fell easily into the trap thus laid for him. His righteous anger was aroused against the grasping rich man who, while possessing so much, had yet stolen his neighbor's only joy. Thus the king stood self-convicted and self-judged. He, with his many wives, had taken Uriah's only treasure. Prophet Nathan flashed out upon David with a poinitng finger, "Thou art the man."
On this page you'll find several images of Prophet Nathan taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Prophet Nathan pictures in your art projects. Click on the Prophet Nathan illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Prophet Nathan image or about purchasing the images of the Prophet Nathan at a higher resolution.
As the troops marched out of Mahanaim, David's last word to them all, and especially to his general, Joab, was that they should deal gently with David's traitorous son and avoid, the death of Absalom. The king had himslef devised the plan of battle. As Absalom's forces were advancing toward Mahanaim through a wood a few miles away, David's veterans attacked them from three directions. There was scarcely a battle, only a flight and a pursuit. All the earlier wisdom of Absalom seems to have deserted him, and he had accomanied his army in ostentatious splendor mounted upon a mule, as though engaged in a peaceful pageant.
He fled with his people-- his mule rushing madly through the woods. But this speed, instead of insuring Absalom's escape, proved to be his destruction. The wonderful, bushy hair of which the young man had been so proud, was caught by an overhaning oak bough. His mule sped from under him leaving him to hang there helplessly, unable to free himself. The pursuing soldiers, remembering David's plea, would have spared Absalom, but word of his plight reached Joab, and the fierce warrior had no such compunction. With Absalom again pardoned and restored to favor, perhaps made king, what reward would the treacherous young man have for the general who had defeated him? Hurrying grimly forward, Joab stabbed the entangled prisoner with his own sword, thus ensuring the death of Absalom.
These illustrations of the Death of Absalom are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these Death of Absalom drawings in your artwork. Click on the Death of Absalom pictures below to see more details about saving a free Death of Absalom image or about purchasing the Death of Absalom artwork at a higher resolution.
Absalom was the third son of David and Micah (or Maachah), daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, a Syrian district adjoining the northeast frontier of the Holy Land. Absalom had a sister, Tamar, who was violated by her half-brother Amnon. The natural avenger of such an outrage would be Tamar's full brother, Absalom. He brooded over the wrong for two years, waiting until the time should be ripe for his vengeance upon Amnon. Then trusting that everyon, even Amnon himself, would have forgotten the unhappy Tamar, Absalom prepared a feast and invited his father and all his brethren to his estate in Baalhazor, on the borders of Ephriam and Benjamin. Here he ordered his servants to murder Amnon, and then fled for safety to his grandfather's court at Geshur, where he remained for three years. At the end of that time he was brought back by an artiface of Joab. David, however, would not see Absalom for two more yers. Eventually, however, Joab brought about a reconciliation.
Absalom then began at once to prepare for rebellion. He tried to supplant his father by courting popularity, standing in the gate of Jerusalm, and conversing with every suitor, and lamenting the difficulty which he would find in getting a hearing. He also maintained a splendid retinue and was admired for his personal beauty. It is probable, too, that the great tribe of Judah had taken some offence at David's government. Absalom raised the standard of revolt at Hebron, the old capital of Judah, now supplanted by Jerusalem. The revolt was at first completely successful. David was forced to flee from his capital over the Jordan to Mahanaim in Gilead, and Absalom occuped Jerusalem.
At last, after being solemnly anointed king at Jerusalem, Absalom crossed the Jordan to attack his father, who by this time had rallied round him a considerable force. A decisive battle was fought in Gilead, in the wood of Ephraim, where Absalom was killed, even though David had hoped that his son's life might be spared.
During his lifetime, Absalom had built a tomb in the king's dale, also know n as the valley of the Kedron, at the foot of Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem. This is where he probably expected to be buried, along with his three sons. However, following his death, Absalom was buried in a great pit in the forest, and the conquerors threw stones over his grave, an old proof of bitter hostility.
These illustrations of Absalom are from books in my collection. Feel free to use these drawings of Absalom in your artistic creations. Click on the Absalom pictures below to see more details about saving a free Absalom image or about purchasing Absalom art at a higher resolution.
Tamar from the Bible was the daughter of David and Michah (Maachah) and a Geshurite princess and sister of Absalom. She and her brother were alike remarkable for their extraordinary beauty. Tamar was not only fair and pure and gentle, but was also the most honored of the daughters of the king.
Unfortunately, Tamar's fatal beauty inspired a frantic passion in her half-brother Amnon, the oldest son of David by Ahinoam. Amnon plotted against Tamar, pretending to be ill. When King David expressed anxiety over this illness, Amnon entreated his father to bid Tamar to act as his nurse. The gentle maid obeyed her father's request, thinking no evil. But Amnon, having her alone, attacked and raped her, doing irreparable injury. Then, his former admiration turned to hatred, and he drove her from his house.
Tamar fled through the streets in despair and terror, weeping , tearing at her clothes, and heaping dust upon her head. She sought shelter with ther true brother Absalom. When King David learned of Amnon's crime he was upset but did nothing. Absalom, furious at heart, yet not daring to openly to oppose both his father and his elder brother, colsoled and protected Tamar as best he could. In secrect he vowed to inflict an awful vengeance upon Amnon for what he had done to Tamar.
This series of images of Bible Tamar are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of Bible Tamar in your artwork. Click on the Bible Tamar illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image of Tamar or about purchasing the images of Bible Tamar at a higher resolution.
With the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David was formally anointed king of Judah at Hebron. His dominion was nominally confined to Judah. Gradually his power increased, and during the two years which followed the elevation of Ish-bosheth, a series of skirmishes took place between the two kingdoms followed by the successive murders of Abner and Ish-bosheth. The throne, so long waiting for him, was now vacant, and the united voice of the whole people at once called him to occupy it. For the third time he was anointed King David, and a festival of three days celebrated this joyful event.
These images of King David were taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of King David in your artistic creations. Click on the King David illustrations below to see more details about saving a free King David image or about purchasing the images of King David at a higher resolution.
These pictures of David in the Bible show various scenes throughout his early life. David was the youngest son of the shepherd, Jesse. David was beautiful, but God did not choose him for his beauty. David loved God, and he wished and prayed to love Him more. When David was alone in the fields, keeping his sheep, he liked to think of God. And then, David used to pray, and play upon his harp, and sing beautiful hymns of praise to God.
When Samuel anointed David's head with oil, David wondered why God should honor him so much and give him the kingdom, but he was not proud of the honor. He did not want to be king directly. He waited patiently for the right time.
When David was older, he played upon his harp for Saul. The sweet music comforted Saul and made him feel better. Later, David became close friends with Saul's son, Jonathan. They were like brothers. Jonathan was kind and generous to David, and gave him his own robe, his bow, his sword, and his girdle. As Saul grew to hate David, Jonathan became David's protector. When David was eventually crowned king, he never forgot Jonathan's loyalty and kindness, and after Jonathan's death, David sought out Jonathan's son, and offered him friendship.
On this page you'll find nine images of David in the Bible taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of David in the Bible in your art projects. Click on the illustrations of David in the Bible below to see more details about saving a free image of David from the Bible or about purchasing the images of David in the Bible at a higher resolution.
These King David Bible pictures show various images of King David's later life. Following King David's double crime of adultery with Bathsheba and the arranged murder of Uriah, clouds of tragedy gathered over him and his forturnes. The outrage on his daughter Tamar, the murder of his eldest son Amnon by his other son Absalom, and Absalom's subsequent revolt brought on the crisis which one more sent him forth a wanderer as in the days when he fled from Saul. The final battle of Absalom's rebellion, fought in the forest of Ephraim, brought with it Absalom's death, and though nearly heartbroken over the loss of his son, King David again reigned in undisturbed peace, until another calamity occured in Jerusalem.
These King David Bible images are from my collection of old story books. Feel free to use these King David Bible illustrations in your artwork. Click on the King David Bible art below to see more details about saving a free King David Bible image or about purchasing the King David Bible pictures at a higher resolution.
One of David's first acts after becoming king was to secure Jerusalem, which he seized from the Jebusites. He subsequently fixed the royal residence there. Fortifications were added by the king and by Joab, and it was known by the special name of the "city of David." The ark was removed from its obscurity at Kirjath-jearim with marked solemnity and conveyed to Jerusalem.
During the succeeding ten years, the nations bordering oh his kingdom caused David more or less trouble, but during this time he reduced to a state of permant subjection the Philistines, the Moabites, and others.
David was also forced to flee Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion, but after Absalom's death, he returned to the city to reign once more.
These illustrations of David in Jerusalem are from several biblical texts. Feel free to use these David Jerusalem pictures in your artistic creations. Click on the David Jerusalem drawings below to see more details about saving a free David of Jerusalem image or about purchasing an image of David in Jerusalem at a higher resolution.
The erection of the new capital at Jerusalem introduces us to a new era in David's life and in the history of the monarchy. David became a king on the scale of the great Oriental sovereigns of Egypt and Persia, with a regular adminstration and organization of court and camp. He also founded an imperial dominion which for the first time realized the prophetic description of the bounds of the chosen people.
The pictures below depict various scenes from the Kingdom of David. We see his return to Jerusalem after his exile during Absalom's rebellion. We also see an image of David's wives and a picture of David mourning his son Amnon's death. There is also an illustration of David meeting Mephibosheth, Saul's son, and a picture of David's triumph following the rebellion of Sheba. Finally, we see two views of David's tomb and one of David's tower at Jerusalem.
This series of images of the Kingdom of David are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Kingdom of David in your artwork. Click on the Kingdom of David illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Kingdom of David image or about purchasing the images of Kingdom of David at a higher resolution.
Those were wild and terrible days in which David lived. To his own times he seemed mild and merciful, but to modern hearts some deeds of his reign seem of unthinkable severity. While his triumph over the Syrians made him the chief ruler of the region, there must have been many walled cities which refused him submission. Chief among these was Rabbah (Rabbath), the capital of the Ammonites, whose king insulted Israel's ambassadors. David seems to have resolved to make a terrible example of the Ammonites. He sent Joab to lay close siege to Rabbah, and when the time had come for the final assault, the monarch himself joined his army and was present at the taking of the city. The Ammonites who were captured were put to death with savage brutality by David's express command.
Commentators on the Bible have argued about this passage: "And he brought out the people . . . and cut them with saws and with harrows of iron, and with axes," which occurs in both Samuel and Chronicles. Some believe, or hope, that the meaning is that the prisoners were put to work with saws and harrows. But the grimmer statement that they were slain by such implements not only stands in the Bible text, but is in harmony with David's savagery against he Moabites. He may have thought it necessary to let the subject nations know how terribly he meant to punish all rebellion.
On this page you'll find images of David's defeat of the Ammonites taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of the Ammonite people in your artistic creations. Click on the Ammonite illustrations below to see more details about saving a free Ammonite image or about purchasing the images of the Ammonites at a higher resolution.
Two great calamaties affected David's Israel during his rule. One was a three year famine. Famine, caused by a lack of rain and consequent scarcity of crops, had always been common in Palestine, but there seems to have occured a period of peculiar severity. There were three successive years of burning skies ad failing harvests. The Lord told David that the famine was a punishment because of Saul, who had attacked and nearly exterminated the Gibeonites.
Another visitation of sorrow came upon Israel in David's declining years. The king commanded the taking of a grand general census of his people. This was regarded by them as a sin. Nevertheless, David insisted, and the count was made. The prophet Gad came to David and told him that the Lord was deeply displeased and that an angel of the Lord would send a pestilence across the land. Although David cried out for mercy and pardon, the death angel was sent even into the holy city of Jerusalem, as though to make that the center of the devastation. David and the elders of Israel doubled their prayers to heaven for mercy. David pleaded that he alone was guilty for the numbering of the people. Satisfied, God commanded the angel to cease.
After David declared his son Solomon as his successor, an older son, Adonijah, schemed to replace David. Adonijah drew into his conspiracy some of David's staunchest adherents, including his general, Joab and Abiathar, the high-priest. David placed his trust in Benaiah, the captain of his guard, to quell the rebellion. Gathering the troops about him, Benaiah set Solomon in their midst and he was anointed king, and led a procession through the streets. The conspirators scattered in dismay.
On this page you'll find David Israel pictures taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these David Israel pictures in your art projects. Click on the David and Israel illustrations below to see more details about saving a free David Israel image or about purchasing the images of David and Israel at a higher resolution.
Joab was perhaps the most remarkable of the three nephews of David, the children of Zeruiah, David's sister. Joab first appears after David's accession to the throne at Hebron. Abner slew in battle Asahel, the youngest brother of Joab, and when David afterward received Abner into favor, Joab treacherously murdered him. There was now no rival left in the way of Joab's advancement, and at the siege of Jebus, he was appointed for his prowess commander-in-chief--"captain of the host."
In the wide range of wars which David undertook, Joab was the acting general. He was called by the most regal title of "lord," and "the prince of the king's army." In the entangled relations which grew up in David's domestic life, he bore an important part, successfully reinstating Absalom in David's favor after the muder of Amnon. When the relations between father and son were reversed by the revolt of Absalom, Joab remained true to the king, taking the rebel prince's dangerous life in spite of David's requests to spare him, and when no one else had courage to act so decisively.
The king transferred the command to Amasa, which so enraged Joab that he adroitly assassinated Amasa when pretending to welcome him as a friend. Friendly relations between himself and David seem to have existed afterward, but at the close of his long life, Joab's loyalty, so long unshaken, at last wavered.
These illustrations of Joab are from my collection of antique books. Feel free to use these pictures of Joab in your artwork. Click on the Joab drawings below to see more details about saving a free Joab image or about purchasing the images of Joab at a higher resolution.
The Lord told King David that the famine that crippled Israel during his reign was punishment because Saul had nearly decimated the Gibeonites during his rule. Isreal had sworn a perpetual peace with the ancient inhabitants of Gibeon during the days of Joshua. David had to atone for the breaking of this covenant.
So the king appealed to the Gibeonites. What atonement would satisfy them? They demanded that seven of the direct descendants of Saul must be given up to them for death. To this bitter revenge David consented. There was one surving son of Jonathan, a lame and feeble man, who David always carefully protected. This son was now spared for his father's sake. But seven other victims were found, five grandsons of Saul, born probably to his eldest daughter Merab, and two sons of Saul, born to his wife Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, a woman of foreign race.
The men were crucified, according to the method of execution in those days, and their bodies were left exposed to become the prey of weather and wild beasts. But the aged Rizpah, if she could not save her sons and younger kinsmen from death, was determined at least to preserve their bodies. She spread a piece of sackcloth on the ground and sat there by her dead through day and night all the burning months of a long tropic summer, driving off the birds and beasts. So at length the king was moved to shame and pity, and he had the bodies taken down and given an honorable burial.
These three illustrations of Rizpah are from my old Bible books. Feel free to use these drawings of Rizpah in your artistic creations. Click on the Rizpah pictures below to see more details about saving a free Rizpah image or about purchasing an image of Rizpah at a higher resolution.
The First and Second Books of Kings, originally only one book in the Hebrew canon, contain the history from David's death and Solomon's accession to the destruction of the kingdom of Judah and the desolation of Jerusalem, with a supplemental notice of an event that occurred after an interval of twenty-six years--the liberation of Jehoiachin from his prison at Babylon--and a still further extension to Jehoiachin's death, which was probably not long after his liberation. The history, therefore, comprehends the whole time of the Israelitish monarchy, exclusive of the reigns of Saul and David.
The books were supposed to have been compiled and written during the period of captivity, probably after the twenty-sixth year, by the prophet Jeremiah, using a series of state annals for both the kingdom of Judah and that of Israel. In addition to these national annals, works of separate prophets who lived in Judah and Israel would have been available to the author during that time.
The First and Second Books of Chronicles was the name originally given to the record made by the appointed historiographers in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In the LXX. these books are called Paralipomena (things omitted), which is understood as meaning that they are supplementary to the Books of Kings.
It is believed that these books were for the most part compiled by Ezra in order to record the genealogical distribution of the lands, which were a vital point of the Jewish economy. Another goal would have been to maintain the temple services at Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, and after him Ezra and Nehemiah, labored to restore the worship of God among the people, and to re-infuse something of national life and spirit into their hearts. A compendious history of the kingdom of David, its prosperity under God; the sins that led to its overthrow; and its captivity and return, aided these designs.
The first Book of Chronicles contains the sacred history by genealogies from the Creation to David, including an account of David's reign. The second book continues the story by giving the history of the kings of Judah, without those of Israel, down to the return from captivity.
Both Kings and Chronicles appear to have drawn from the same documents, which were used to preserve the genealogies of the tribes and families in Israel and Judah.
Solomon was the child of David's old age, the last-born of all his sons. He was placed under the care of Nathan from his earliest years. At first, there was apparently no distinct purpose to make Solomon the king's heir. Absalom was still the king's favorite son and was looked on by the people as the destined successor. However, the death of Absalom when Solomon was about ten years old left the palace vacant, and David pledged his word in secret to Bath-sheba that Solomon, and no other, should be the heir.
David's words, doubtless, expressed his desire that his son's life should not be as his own had been, one of hardships and wars, dark crimes and passionate repentance, but instead be pure, blameless, peaceful, fulfilling the ideal of glory and of righteousness after which he himself had strived in vain. Apparently, David's influence over Solomon's character was exclusively for good. At the age of ten or eleven, he must have passed through the revolt of Absalom, and shared his father's exile. He would have been taught all that priests or Levites or prophets had to teach.
When David was old and feeble, Adonijah, Solomon's older brother attempted to gain possession of the throne, but he was defeated, and Solomon went down to Gihon and was proclaimed and anointed King Solomon. A few months later, after his father's death, Solomon found himself the sole occupant of the throne.
One day Solomon went to make a sacrifice to God of a thousand burnt-offerings upon the altar at Gibeon. When the sacrifices were ended, and Solomon lay down to sleep, God appeared to him in a dream, offering encouragement and comfort. God asked Solomon what gift He might give to the young king. Solomon knew that worldly things must soon pass away; he wished for something which he could never lose. He said to God, "Lord, I am very young and ignorant. I have not power to teach my people in the right way. Give me now wisdom and knowledge and a wise and understanding heart that I may know how to rule my people as it shall please Thee."
Solomon returned to Jerusalem and offered more sacrifices to the Lord. And now the people began to see the wisdom of Solomon. Two women came to the king for judgment. They had with them two little babies. One was alive and well, but the other was dead. The two women lived together in one house. One of them spoke to the king and said that they had both given birth to a son. The other woman's child had died, and while the first woman was sleeping, the other woman had taken her healthy child away and replaced it with her dead son. When the first woman woke up in the morning, she found the dead babe in her arms and realized that it was not her child. The other woman also spoke, contradicting everything the first woman had said, and declaring that the living son was her own.
The king called out to his servants to bring him a sword, which they did. Then the king said, "Cut the living child in two, and give half to one and half to the other." But the true mother of the child, because she loved it and would not have it killed, said,"O my lord, give her the living child, and on no account slay it." While the other woman, who pretended to be its mother said, "Yes, cut it in two." The wise king then commanded that the child be given to the woman who had pity upon it because he knew that it must be hers.
The images is this section all shows scenes depicting the Wisdom of Solomon. They are from a variety of Bible story book. Feel free to use these illustrations showing the Wisdom of Solomon in your projects. Click on the Wisdom of Solomon drawings to see more details about saving a free image of the wisdom of Solomon or about purchasing an image of the Wisdom of Solomon at a higher resolution.
One of Solomon from the Bible's first acts of foreign policy during his reign must have been startling to t he Israelites. He made affinity with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, by marrying his daughter. The immediate results were probably favorable enough. The new queen brought with her as a dowry the frontier city of Gezer. But the ulitmate issue of the alliance showed that it was hollow and impolitic.
The alliance with the Phoenician king of Tyre rested on a somewhat different footing. It had been a part of David's policy from the beginning os his reign. Hiram had been a friend of David, and as soon as he heard of Solomon's accession he sent ambassadors to salute him. A correspondence passed between the two kings, which ended in a treaty of commerce. The opening of Joppa as a port created a new coasting-trade, and the materials from Tyre were conveyed to that city on floats, and from there to Jerusalem. In return for these exports, the Phoenicians received corn and oil from Solomon's territory.
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As Solomon of Israel was becoming an old man, he began to turn away from God and began to worship idols. Perhaps he grew proud of his riches, power, and wisdom, and loved and thought about them so much, that he could not love and think about God. He loved the world more and more, and God less and less. At last, he abandoned God altogether. He became unhappy and discontented, even with all his possessions.
Before long the priests and prophets had to grieve over rival temples to Molech, Chemosh, Ashtaroth, and forms of ritual not only idolatrous, but cruel, dark, and impure. The evil came as the penalty of another. He gave himself to "strange women," and he found himself involved in a fascination which led to the worship of strange gods.
The pictures on this page of Solomon of Israel come from my collection of books about the Old Testament. Feel free to use these Solomon Israel pictures in your artistic creations. Click on the Solomon of Israel drawings below to see more details about saving a free Solomon from Israel image or about purchasing an image of Solomon from the Bible at a higher resolution.
It was David who first proposed to replace the tabernacle with a more permanent building--the building that would become the Temple of Solomon. But David was forbidden to build the structure for the reasons assigned by the prophet Nathan. And though he collected materials and made arrangements, the execution of the task was left to Solomon. Solomon, with the assistance of Hiram, King of Tyre, commenced this great undertaking in the fourth year of his reign, B.C. 1012, and completed it in seven years, B. C. 1005.
One hundred and eighty-three thousand Jews and strangers were employed on it. The parts were all prepared at a distance from the site of the building, and when they were brought together, the whole immense structure was erected without the sound of hammer, axe, or any tool of iron.
The Temple of Solomon occupied the site prepared for it by David, which had formerly been the threshing floor of the Jebusite Ornan or Araunah on Mount Moriah. The whole area enclosed by the outer walls formed a square of about 600 feet, but the sanctuary itself was comparatively small, inasmuch as it was intend only for the ministrations of the theorists, the congregation of the people assembling in the courts. In this and all other essential points the temple followed the model of the tabernacle, from which it differed chiefly by having chambers build about the sanctuary for the abode of the priests and attendants and the keeping of treasure and stores. In all its dimensions, length, breadth and height, the sanctuary itself was exactly double the size of the tabernacle, the ground plan measuring 80 cubits by 40, while that of the tabernacle was 40 by 20, and the height of the temple being 30 cubits, while that of the tabernacle was 15.
These drawings which show the Temple of Solomon, are from historical books on the Bible and the Old Testament. Feel free to use the Temple of Solomon images in your creations. Click on the Temple of Solomon drawings below to see more details about saving a free Temple of Solomon image or about purchasing an image of the Temple of Solomon at a higher resolution.
As in the tabernacle, the Solomon's Temple consisted of three parts: the porch, the holy place, and the holy of holies. The front of the porch was supported, after the manner of some Egyptian temples, by the two great brazen pillars adorned with lily-work and pomegranates. The places of the two "veils" of the tabernacle were occupied by partitions, in which were folding doors. The whole interior was lined with woodwork richly carved and overlaid with gold. Indeed, both within and without the building was conspicuous chiefly by the lavish use of the gold of Ophir and Parvaim,that glittered in the morning sun.
Above the sacred ark, which was placed in the most holy place, were made new cherubim, one pair of whose wings met above the ark, and another pair reached to the walls behind them. In the holy place, besides the altar of incense, which was made of cedar overlaid with gold, there were seven golden candlesticks instead of one, and the table of shew-bread was replace by ten golden tables, bearing, beside the shew-bread, the innumerable golden vessels for the service of the sanctuary.
The outer court of Solomon's Temple contained an inner court, called the "court of the priests," but the arrangement of the courts and of the protocols and gateways of the enclosure, though described by Josephus, belongs apparently to the temple of Herod. In the outer court there was a new altar of burnt offering, much larger than the old one. Instead of the brazen laver there was "a molten sea" of brass, a a masterpiece of Hiram's skill, for the ablution of the priests. It was clled a "sea" from its great size. The chambers for the priests were arranged in successive stories against the sides of the sanctuary; not, however reaching to the top, so as to leave space for the windows to light the holy and most holy place.
We are told by Josephus and the Talmud that there was a superstructure on the temple equal in height to the lower part, and this is confirmed by the statement in the Books of Chronicles that Solomon "overlaid the upper chambers with gold." Moreover, the altars on the top of the upper chamber were apparently upon the temple. The dedication of the temple was the grandest ceremony ever performed under the Mosaic dispensation. The temple was destroyed on the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, B.C. 586.
These illustrations of Solomon's Temple are from several biblical and historical books. Feel free to use these pictures of Solomon's Temple in your artistic creations. Click on the drawings below to see more details about saving a free Solomon's Temple image or about purchasing an image of Solomon's Temple at a higher resolution.
When Solomon had finished building the temple, he built a beautiful palace for himself. He also built many cities, and a house for his queen, and a navy of ships. The ships used to go every year to distant countries to bring back gold and silver, and ivory, and apes, and peacocks. People in those distant lands wondered very much when they heard about Solomon's riches and wisdom. Many came to Jerusalem to see the king and to hear his wisdom, and they brought presents with them of gold, silver, garments, spics, horses and mules. So Solomon became more and more rich.
There was a queen who came to see Solomon from a very distant country. The country where she lived was called Sheba in the Bible. The kingdom of Sheba embraced the greater part of the Yemen, or Arabia Feliz. It bordered on the Red Sea, and was one of the most fertile districts of Arabia.
The Queen of Sheba heard a great deal in her own country about Solomon and she wanted to see him. It was a long journey to Jerusalem, but she did not care about the trouble and difficulty because she wished so much to see Solomon.
These drawings of the Queen of Sheba are from a variety of Bible books. Feel free to use these Queen of Sheba pictures in your artwork. Click on the drawings of the Queen of Sheba below to see more details about saving a free image of the Queen of Sheba or about purchasing an image of her at a higher resolution.
When the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, she brought with her a great many servants, and camels, and gold, and spices to give to the king. Solomon was kind to the good queen; he showed her all his possession--his house, and his throne, and his servants, and the temple of God. As Solomon and Sheba spent time together, the queen asked the king many questions, and he answered them all. He told her about the worship and service of the true God and of all the wonderful things He did for His people of Israel. This was new to the Queen of Sheba; she had never heard of these things in her own country, and she was glad to learn about them. Then the queen blessed and praised Solomon's God, and Solomon gave her everything she wished, and she and her servants returned to their own country. The Bible tells us no more about her.
These pictures of Solomon and Sheba are from my collection of old bible books. Feel free to use these illustrations of Solomon and Sheba in your work. Click on the Solomon and Sheba drawings below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing an image of Solomon and Sheba at a higher resolution.
The first king of the divided kingdom of Israel was King Jeroboam, the son of an Ephraimite of the name of Nebat. He was raised by Solomon to the rank of superintendent over the taxes and labors extracted from the tribe of Ephraim. He made the most of his position, and at last was perceived by Solomon to be aiming at the monarchy. He was leaving Jerusalem, when he was met by Ahijah the prophet, who gave him the assurance that, on condition of obedience to his laws, God would establish for him a kingdom and a dynasty equal to that of David. The attempts of Solomon to cut short Jeroboam's designs occasioned Jeroboam's flight into Egypt, where he remained until Solomon's death.
After a year's longer stay in Egypt, he returned to Sheckhem where the conference with Rehoboam and the final revolt took place. These events ended in the elevation of Jeroboam to the throne of the northern kingdom and the ten tribes. Jeroboam reigned for twenty-two years and was buried in his ancestral sepulcher.
On this page you'll find some pictures of King Jeroboam taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these King Jeroboam pictures in your art projects. Click on the King Jeroboam illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images of King Jeroboam at a higher resolution.
Rehoboam was the son of Solomon by the Ammonite princess Naamah. Rehoboam selected Shechem as the place of his coronation, probably as an act of concession to the Ephraimites. The people demanded a remission of the severe burdens imposed by Solomon, and Rehoboam, rejecting the advice of his father's counsellors, followed that of his young courtiers instead, and returned an insulting answer, which led to an open rebellion among the tribes. King Rehoboam was compelled to flee to Jerusalem. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained true to him. Jeroboam was made king of the ten northern tribes. An expedition to reconquer Israel was forbidden by the prophet Shemaiah; still, during Rehoboam's lifetime, peaceful relations between Israel and Judah were never restored.
In the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign, the country was invaded by a host of Egyptians and other African nations under Shishak. Jerusalam itself was taken and Rehoboam had to purchase an ignominious peace by delivering up all the treasures with which Solomon had adorned the temple and palace. The rest of Rehoboam's life was unmarked by any events of importance. He died after a reign of seventeen years. He had eighteen wives, sixty concubines, twenty-eight sons, and sixty daughters.
These illustrations of King Rehoboam are from several biblical texts. Feel free to use these King Rehoboam pictures in your artwork. Click on the King Rehoboam drawings below to see more details about saving a free image of King Rehoboam or about purchasing an image of King Rehoboam at a higher resolution.
King Ahab, the son of Omri, was the seventh king of Israel. He ruled from 919-865 B.C. He married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre, and in obedience to her wishes, caused a temple to be built to Baal in Samaria, and an oracular grove to be consecrated to Astarte. They both worshipped Baal and taught their people to worship him too.
One of King Ahab's chief tastes was for splendid architecture, which he showed by building an ivory house and several cities. Desiring to add to his pleasure-grounds at Jezreel the vineyard of his neighbor Naboth, he proposed to buy it or give land in exchange for it. When this offer was refused by Naboth in accordance with the Levitical law, a false accusation of blasphemy was brought against Naboth, and he was murdered. Ahab immediately took possession of the coveted field. The prophet Elijah declared that the entire extirpation of Ahab's house would be the penalty appointed for King Ahab's long course of wickedness. The execution, however, of the sentence was delayed in consequence of Ahab's deep repentance.
These pictures of King Ahab are drawn from a number of bible story books. Feel free to use these King Ahab pictures in your projects. Click on the King Ahab drawings below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing an image of King Ahab at a higher resolution.
When Jezebel saw how displeased Ahab was that Naboth had refused to sell the king his vineyards, Jezebel wrote a warrant for Naboth's death in Ahab's name, and sealed it with his seal. To her, and not to Ahab, was sent the announcement that the royal wishes were accomplished.
After the death of Naboth, Elijah sent a fearful message to Ahab and Jezebel. The wicked king and his treacherous wife were walking in the vineyard; Ahab felt pleased that he could possess it, and he thought that he was safe now that Naboth was dead. But Elijah found them and said, "God has seen thy sin, and He has sent a message to thee by me. All thy family shall be destroyed, like the families of Jeroboam and Baasha. In the place where Naboth was killed, the dogs shall lick thy blood, and eat the flesh of Jezebel. All this shall come upon thee because of thine idolatry and wickedness, and rebellion against God."
The drawings of Ahab and Jezebel on this page come from a number of bible books. Feel free to use these Ahab and Jezebel pictures in your creations. Click on the Ahab and Jezebel illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing a higher resolution image of Ahab and Jezebel.
Jezebel from the Bible was the wife of Ahab, king of Israel. She was a Phoenician princess, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians. In her hands, her husband became a mere puppet. The first effect of her influence was the immediate establishment of the Phoenician worship on a grand scale in the court of Ahab. At her table were supported no less than 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Astarte. The prophets of Jehovah were attacked by her orders and put to the sword. At last the people, at the instigation of Elijah, rose against her minsters and slaughtered them at the foot of Mt. Carmel.
Because of Jezebel's involvement in the death of Naboth, she was cursed by God. The curse was fulfilled many years later by King Jehu, who found her in Jezreel and had her body thrown from an open window. Jehu trod upon her with his horses and she died a gruesome death. Later, when Jehu's men went to bury Jezebel, all they found were her head, feet, and part of her hands. The rest of the body was gone, eaten by hungry wild dogs, just the way Elijah had prophesied.
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The Prophet Elijah is introduced to our notice without any mention of his father or mother, or of the beginning of his days. Some suppose that Elijah is called a Tishbite from Tishbeh, a city beyond the Jordan. Others suppose that Tishbite means converter or reformer. Here we have various images of the Prophet Elijah healing the widow of Zarephath's son, waiting for a sign from God atop Mt. Carmel, and spending his time alone in the wilderness.
This series of images from of the Prophet Elijah are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Prophet Elijah in your artwork. Click on the Prophet of Elijah illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images of the Prophet Elijah at a higher resolution.
The very first sentence that Elijah the Prophet utters in the Book of Kings, is a direful denunciation of King Ahab, which he supports by a solemn oath. He warns the wicked king as to the fatal consequences which must result both to himself and his people from the iniquitous course he was then pursuing. Elijah's character was one of great moral sublimity and unquestioning faith in God.
This assortment of pictures of Elijah the Prophet depict him healing the dead child, searching for a sign of rain to end Israel's drought, and tossing his mantle on Elisha. They were taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Elijah the Prophet in your artistic creations. Click on the Elijah the Prophet illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images of Elijah the Prophet at a higher resolution.
The prophet Elijah's appearance occurs rather suddenly when he comes before Ahab, prophesies a three-years drought in Israel, and proclaims the vengeance of Jehovah for the apostasy of the king. Because of these words, Elijah was obliged to flee for his life. During this time no rain fell to water the ground, so the grass dried up, and then there was no food for the poor animals and no corn, nor fruits for the people to eat. But God took care of Elijah. There was a little brook of water near Jordan named Cherith, and God told Elijah to go and hide himself there. From here we have the miracle of Elijah and the Ravens. While Elijah was in hiding, God sent the ravens to him every morning, and they would bring Elijah meat and bread to eat.
The drawings which show Elijah and the Ravens are from a number of Bible story books. Feel free to use these pictures of Elijah and the Ravens in your art work. Click on the illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image of Elijah and the Ravens or about purchasing a higher resolution image.
The story of Elijah and the Widow begins like this: After a time, the brook at Cherith dried up and the prophet Elijah had no more water to drink. God told Elijah to go to the city of Zaraphath. It was a long walk, and by time Elijah arrived at the city, he was tired and hungry. In front of the city gate he saw a poor woman gathering sticks. She was pale and feeble, and she had suffered much in the famine that cursed the land. Still, the widow invited Elijah into her home. It was at the widow's home that Elijah performed the miracles of prolonging the oil and the meal so that Elijah and the widow and the widow's son would not starve. It is also here that Elijah performed the miracle of restoring the widow's son to life after his apparent death.
These pictures of Elijah and the Widow come from a number of bible books. Feel free to use these illustrations of Elijah and the Widow in your projects. Click on the Elijah and the Widow images below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing one at a higher resolution.
The prophet Elijah reappears in the Books of Kings after an interval of more that two years. The drought had continued, and at last the full horrors of famine, caused by the failure of the crops, descended on Samaria. Again Elijah appears before King Ahab. He tells Ahab to gather the 450 Prophets of Baal to meet him at Mr. Carmel. Ahab did as Elijah said and all the wicked prophets came to Carmel. Elijah was there too along with many of the people of Israel.
Then Elijah spoke to the people and told them that they had to choose who they were going to serve -- Baal or the God of Israel. To prove that Baal would not serve the people the way the Lord would, Elijah challenged the Prophets of Baal to build an altar, and offer a bull for a sacrifice, but to put no fire underneath it. Elijah vowed to do the same. Then he challenged the people who would to pray to Baal for fire. But no matter how the prophets prayed to Baal, no fire appeared on their altar. Then Elijah built his altar of God, and placed a bull upon it, and prayed to God to reproduce fire, and before long, fire fell from Heaven and burnt the sacrifice. This made the people realize that there was only one true God. Thereafter, Elijah had all the Baal prophets taken to the brook Kishon and killed. Elijah told Ahab that God would soon send rain upon the land.
These drawings which show The Prophets of Baal are from a number of Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of the Prophets of Baal in your art work. Click on the illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image of the Baal prophets or about purchasing a higher resolution image.
After speaking to Ahab, Elijah went with his servant to the top of Mt. Carmel to pray. He had his servant go look towards the sea to watch for a sign from God. Eventually, a small cloud did appear on the horizon, and Elijah knew that this meant the end of the drought was near.
When Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done to Baal's prophets, she was enraged. She hated God and His holy prophets and said that on the following day she would have Elijah killed.
On hearing this, Elijah fled to Beersheba, once again going alone into the wilderness. He felt very unhappy because he had so many enemies who wanted to kill him; many of his friends were dead, and he was disappointed with the wickedness of the people and the way they served Baal and not God. For a moment, he gave up all hope and cried out to God, "O Lord, take away my life."
But it was not yet time for Elijah to die. God sent an angel to comfort the prophet. As he slept, the angel came to him and touched him and encouraged him to eat and drink and stay strong. After he regained his strength, Elijah went to Horeb and was there for forty days and forty nights, fasting the entire time.
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The brotherhood of the prophets Elijah and Elisha began when Elijah was in the cave in Horeb. There he witnessed a remarkable vision of Jehovah, who told Elijah to go to Damascus, anoint two kings--Hazael to be king of Syria and Jehu to be king of Israel. Then God told Elijah that he was to anoint another prophet, named Elisha, to take Elijah's place when he was gone.
Elijah went away from Horeb and soon found Elisha, the new prophet. Elisha was ploughing with his oxen. He was not thinking of the honor of being God's prophet. But Elisha loved God, and God knew Elisha's heart. Elijah passed by and cast his mantle on Elisha. Elisha immediately understood what this gesture meant and ran to Elijah. Elisha said good-bye to his parents and home and followed Elijah and waited on him and learned from him. From that point on, Elijah and Elisha were always together.
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After seeing Elijah taken into heaven, the Prophet Elisha took up the mantle and went back to Jordan. When he smote the river with the mantle, the waters parted, and Elisha went over on dry ground. Elisha stayed a little time at Jericho The water there was very bad and the ground was barren. The people of the place came to Elisha and told him this. Elisha asked them to bring a cruse of salt and he went to the spring of the waters and threw the salt inside. He prayed to God and the waters were healed.
Elisha then went away from Jericho to go to Bethel. There were a great many little children at Bethel. These were children who had been taught to worship idols and to despise God and His prophets. When the children saw Elisha coming they began to mock him and and make fun of his bald head. Elisha heard what they said, and looked upon them gravely to warn them of their sin of despising one of God's servants. Elisha cursed the children in the name of the Lord because they were dishonoring God by dishonoring Elisha. So God sent two bears out of the wood and they tore the forty-two children to pieces.
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On the occasion of Elijah's ascent into heaven, we have the wonderful imagery of Elijah and the Chariot of Fire. It was at Gilgal--probably on the western edge of the hills of Ephraim--that the prophet received the divine intimation that his departure was at hand. He was at the time with Elisha, who seems now to have become his constant companion, and who would not consent to leave him. Elijah was going to see all of his friends for the last time and to bid them farewell. As they are walking, a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire parted them both, "…and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
These illustrations of Elijah and the Chariot of Fire are from several biblical texts. Feel free to use these Elijah and the Chariot pictures in your artistic creations. Click on the drawings below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing an image of Elijah and the Chariot of Fire at a higher resolution.
Elisha the Prophet was the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah. The earliest mention of his name is in God's command to Elijah in the cave at Horeb. Elijah sets forth to obey the command and comes upon his successor engaged in ploughing a field. Elijah crosses to Elisha and throws over his shoulders the rough mantle--a token at once of investiture with the prophet's office and of adoption as a son. Elisha delayed merely to give the farewell kiss to his father and mother and preside at a parting feast with his people, and then followed the great prophet on his northward road. We hear nothing more of Elisha until the translation of Elijah, when he reappears to become the most prominent figure in the history of his country during the rest of his long life.
After the purification of the springs of Jericho and the catastrophe of the children of Bethel, he later extricates Jehoram king of Israel, and the kings of Judah and Edom, from their difficulty in the campaign against the Moab arising from want of water. He then multiplies the widow's oil. The next occurrence is at Shunem, where he is hospitably entertained by a woman of substance, whose son dies, and is brought to life again by Elisha the Prophet.
On this page you'll more images of Elisha the Prophet taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures of Elisha the Prophet in your artistic creations. Click on the illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images of Elisha the Prophet at a higher resolution.
After Elisha in the Bible gives his instructions to Naaman about how to heal his leprosy, Elisha appears in Jericho where he causes an iron axe to swim in a stream. Later a band of Syrian marauders are sent to seize him, but are struck blind, and he misleads them to Samaria where they find themselves in the presence of the the Israelite king and his troops.
During the famine in Samaria, Elisha prophesied incredible plenty, which was soon fulfilled. We next find the prophet at Damascus. Ben-hadad the king is sick and Elisha prophesies the king's death and announces to Hazael that he is to be successor to the throne. Finally the prophet, after having filled the position for sixty years, is found on his death-bed in his own house. The power of the prophet, however, does not terminate with this death. Even in tomb, he restores the dead to life.
On this page are several pictures of Elisha in the Bible taken from my collection of old religious books. You're welcomed to use these Elisha Bible illustrations in your art projects. Click on the Elisah Bible drawings below to see more details about saving a free Elisha Bible image or about purchasing the images of Elisha from the Bible at a higher resolution.
The king of Syria had a captain over his army named Naaman. Naaman was a very rich man, but he also had leprosy for which there was no cure. Naaman was also an idolater, as were the king of Syria and all his people.
Sometime before, the Syrians had fought with Israel and taken a little girl from Israel prisoner and brought her to Syria. The little maid was taken to Naaman's house and she waited upon Naaman's wife. She was very obedient and tried to please her mistress. Naaman and his wife treated the little girl kindly, and she felt sorry to see her master suffering from leprosy so much. Then she recollected Elisha, and all the miracles he had done.
One day the Little Captive Maid told her mistress about the great prophet Elisha, who was in Samaria and that he would be able to cure Naaman. When Naaman heard about this, he and the the king were glad to hear that Naaman could be cured. So Naaman made ready his horses, and chariots, and servants and went to Samaria.
This series of images of the Little Captive Maid are from my collection of antique Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures from of the Little Maid in your artwork. Click on the illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images of the Little Captive Maid at a higher resolution.
Naaman in the Bible was commander-in-chief of the army of Syria, and was nearest to the person of the king, Ben-hadad II, whom he accompanied officially and supported when he went to worship in the temple of Rimmon at Damascus. A Jewish tradition identifies Naaman with the archer whose arrow, whether random or not, struck Ahab with his mortal wound and thus "gave deliverance to Syria." This had given Naaman a great position at the court of Ben-hadad.
Naaman was afflicted with a kind of leprosy that had no cure. A little servant girl from Israel tells his wife of the fame and skill of the Prophet Elisha, and Naaman is cured after following Elisha's simple directions to bath in the Jordan seven times. Naaman's first business after his cure is to thank his benefactor and gratefully acknowledge the power of the the god of Israel.
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King Joash (or Johoash) was the son of Ahaziah, and the only one of his children who escaped the murderous hand of Athaliah, his grandmother. After his father's sister Jehoshabeath--the wife of Jehoida the high priest--stole the babe from among the king's sons, he was hidden for six years in the chambers of the temple. In the seventh year of his age and of his concealment, a successful revolution, conducted by Jehoiada, placed him on the throne of his ancestors and freed the country from the tyranny and idolaters of Queen Athaliah.
For at least twenty-three years, while Jehoiada lived, Joash's reign was very prosperous, but after the death of Jehoiada, King Joash fell into the hands of bad advisers, at whose suggestion he revived the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth. When he was rebuked for this by Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, Joash caused Zechariah to be stoned to death in the court of the Lord's house.
That same year Hazael, King of Syria, came up against Jerusalem and carried off a vast treasure as the price of his departure. Joash had scarcely escaped this danger when he fell into another more fatal one. Two of his servants conspired against him and slew him in his bed in the fortress of Millo. Joash's reign lasted forty years, from 878 to 838 B.C.
These drawings which show King Joash are from a number of Bible books. Feel free to use these pictures of King Joash in your art work. Click on the illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image of King Joash or about purchasing a higher resolution image.
King Hezikiah was the twelfth king of Judah, son of the apostate Ahaz and Abijah. He ascended to the thrown at the age of twenty-five. Hezekiah was considered one of the three most perfect kings of Judah. His first act was to purge and repair and reopen with splendid sacrifices and perfect ceremonies the temple. He also destroyed a brazen serpent, said to have been the one used by Moses in the miraculous healing of the Israelites, which had become an object of adoration.
When the kingdom of Israel had fallen, Hezekiah invited the scattered inhabitants to a peculiar passover, which was continued for fourteen days. He refused to acknowledge the supremacy of Assyria and used every available means to strengthen the kingdom. It was during this time that we find him sick and sending for the Prophet Isaiah, who prophesies death as the result. King Hezekiah's prayer for longer life is heard, and God promises the king immediate recovery and fifteen years more of life. He inevitably dies at the age of fifty-six after a reign of twenty-nine years.
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The son of Amon and Jedidah, Josiah, succeeded his father in 641 B.C. at the age of eight and reigned for thirty-one years. From the age of twelve to eighteen, he went throughout all of Judah and Israel destroying all outward signs and relics of idolatry. The temple was restored under a special commission, and in the course of the repairs, Hilkiah, the priest, discovered the law of the Lord, which was assumed to be the the books of original law as written by Moses. Aided by the prophet Jeremiah, he spread the knowledge and worship of Jehovah throughout the kingdom. Josiah was mortally wounded during a battle against the Egyptians and was buried with extraordinary honors.
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The Prophet Isaiah was the son of Amoz. The Hebrew name signifies Salvation of Jahu. He prophesied concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah--kings of Judah. He was married and had two sons. Tradition says that Isaiah, when ninety years old, was sawn asunder in the trunk of a carob tree by order of King Manasseh.
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Much difficulty has arisen in reference to the writings of the Book of Jeremiah from the apparent disorder in which they stand in our present copies, and from the many disagreements between the Hebrew text and that found in the Septuagint version, and many conjectures have been hazarded respecting the cause of this disorder.
Apparently the prophets kept written records of their predictions, and collected them into larger volumes they intended for permanent use. In consequence, there are two great divisions: Prophecies delivered at various times, directed mainly to Judah, or connected with Jeremiah's personal history and prophecies connected with other nations.
Various passages which exist in the Herbrew are not found in the Greek copies. Besides these discrepancies, there are numerous omissions and frequent variations of single words and phrases. However, the genuineness and canonicity of the writing of Jeremiah in general are established both by the testimony of ancient writers and by quotations and references which occur in the New Testament.
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The Prophet Jeremiah was called to the prophetic office at a very young age, and prophesied for forty-two years. However, there is hardly any mention of him during the eighteen years between his call and Josiah's death, or during the short reign of Jehoahaz. During the reigns of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin, he opposed the Egyptian party, then dominant in Jerusalem. He also maintained that the only way of safety lay in accepting the supremacy of the Chaldeans, who were attacking Jerusalem. Because of this, he was accordingly accused of treachery. As the danger from the Chaldeans became more threatening, the persecution against Jeremiah grew until the people sought his life. He was eventually seized and thrown into a prison-pit to die, but was eventually rescued.
At last the city was taken by the Chaldean army, and the temple was burnt. Jeremiah was given fair treatment by the Chaldeans, but after the death of Gedaliah, their governor, the people, disregarding Jeremiah's warnings, took refuge in Egypt, carrying the prophet with them. It is assumed that he died in Egypt sometime thereafter.
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There were nineteen dynasties and nineteen different Kings of Israel after the division of the kingdom. The death of Solomon was followed by a defection of ten of the tribes of Israel, which established the separation of Israel from Judah in 975 B.C. This was the most important event which had befallen the Hebrew nation since their conquest of Canaan. The chief territory and population were now with Jeroboam, but the religious sanction, the legitimate descent, lay with the rival monarch, Rehoboam. From the political danger of allowing the ten tribes to come up to the sanctuary of Jerusalem, the princes of Israel, as it were in self-defense, set up a sanctuary of their own. The kingdom of Israel lasted 254 years, from B.C. 975 to B.C. 721.
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When the disruption of Solomon's kingdom took place at Schechem, 975 B.C., only the tribe of Judah followed Rehoboam, but almost immediately afterward the larger part of the tribe of Benjamin joined Judah. It is estimated that the territory of Judah contained about 3450 square miles. The first three kings of Judah seem to have cherished the hope of re-establishing their authority over the ten tribes. For sixty years there was war between them and the kings of Israel, and Judah's territory increased. But under Amaziah, Jerusalem was entered and plundered by the Israelites. Judah, however, managed to exist almost a century and a half after the termination of the kingdom of Israel. During its existence, there were nineteen Kings of Judah and one wicked queen--all from the family of David.
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The Book of Ezekiel is divided into two great parts, of which the destruction of Jerusalem is the turning-point. Chapters 1 - 24 contain predictions delivered before the event, and chapters 25 - 48 after it. Chapters 1 - 32 are mainly occupied with correction, denunciation, and reproof, while the remainder of the Book of Ezekiel deals chiefly in consolation and promise.
A parenthetical section in the middle of the book contains a group of prophecies against seven foreign nations, the septenary arrangement being apparently intentional. There are no direct quotations from Ezekiel in the New Testament, but in the Apocalypse there are many parallels and obvious allusions to the later chapters.
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The Prophet Ezekiel, whose name means the strength of God, was one of the four greater prophets. He was the son of a priest named Buzi, and was taken captive in the captivity of Jehoiachin, eleven years before the destruction of Jerusalem. He was a member of a community of Jewish exiles who settled on the banks of the Chebar, a river or stream of Babylonia. He began prophesying B.C. 595, and continued until B.C. 573, a period of more than twenty-two years.
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Ezekiel in the Bible was married and had a house in his place of exile along the Chebar in Babylonia. He lost his wife by a sudden and unforeseen stroke. He led in the highest consideration among his companions in exile, and their elders consulted him on all occasions.
Ezekiel was distinguished by his stern and inflexible energy of will and character and his devoted adherence to the rites and ceremonies of his national religion. The depth of his matter and the marvelous nature of his visions make him occasionally obscure.
He was reportedly murdered in Babylon and buried on the banks of the Euphrates. The tomb, said to have been built by Jehiochin, was apparently located a few days' journey from Bagdad.
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The Book of Daniel stands at the head of a series of writings in which the deepest thoughts of the Jewish people found expression after the close of the prophetic era. Daniel is composed partly in the vernacular Aramaic (Chaldee) and partly in the sacred Hebrew.
The book may be divided into three parts. The first chapter forms an introduction. The next six chapters, 2 - 7, give a general view of the progressive history of the powers of the world, and of the principles of the divine government as seen in the events of the life of Daniel. The remainder of the book, chapters 8 - 12, traces in more detail the fortunes of the people of God.
In the first seven chapters Daniel is spoken of historically; in the last five he appears personally as the writer. The cause of the difference of person is commonly supposed to lie in the nature of the case. It is, however, more probable that the peculiarity arose from the manner in which the book assumed its final shape.
The Book of Daniel
exercised great influence upon the Christian Church. The New Testament incidentally acknowledges each of the characteristic elements of the book, its miracles and predictions, and its doctrine of angels.
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The story of Daniel and the Lions is perhaps one of the better known tales from the Book of Daniel. Daniel was living in Babylon in great favor and honor with King Darius, who made him ruler over the kingdom and over other princes and nobles. Many of these men hated and resented Daniel and were always looking for a way to find fault in him so that they could accuse him to the king. But Daniel was so good and holy, that his enemies could find nothing wrong with him.
However, Daniel's enemies were determined, and they decied there was one thing they could accuse him of--the fact that he would kneel down and pray to God several times a day. So the princes went to King Darius and talked him into creating a new law in the kingdom that would forbid anyone from making a prayer or request to any god or man, except the king, for thirty days. Whoever disobeyed would be put to death.
Even though Daniel knew about the law, he continued to pray to the Lord three times a day, right in the open where everyone could see him. Daniel's enemies told the king about this. Darius was sorry because he loved and honored Daniel, and he tried hard to save him. But the enemies of Daniel said, "The law cannot be changed; Daniel has disobeyed it, and he must suffer the punishment." So King Darius ordered Daniel to be cast into the lions' den, at the same time hoping that Daniel's God would rescue him.
The king spent a restless night hoping that when he went to check on Daniel that he would still be alive and not torn to pieces by the beasts. When he called out to Daniel, the king heard Daniel say, "O king, my God has sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' months, and they have not hurt me." Darius was glad, and he ordered Daniel taken out of the den, and then the king punished the wicked accusers by throwing them down into the lions' den instead.
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Daniel of the Bible is considered the fourth of the "greater prophets." Nothing is known of his parentage or family. He appears, however, to have been of royal or noble descent, and to have possessed considerable personal endowments. He was taken to Babylon in the "third year of Jehoiakim" (B.C. 604), and trained for the king's service, along with three other boys. He was divinely supported in his resolve to abstain from eating "the king's meat" for free of defilement.
At the close of his three years of schooling, Daniel had an opportunity of exercising his peculiar gift of interpreting dreams, on the occasion of Nebuchadnezzar's decree against the Magi. Impressed and pleased with Daniel's ability to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dream when none of the various wise men could, Daniel was made "ruler of the whole province of Babylon."
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The story of the Fiery Furnace, which appears in the Book of Daniel, involves Daniel's three friends--Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego. Those were their Chaldean names. Their Hebrew names were Mishael, Hananiah, and Azariah. The three boys were taken from their homes, along with Daniel, to Babylonia, to become servants to King Nebuchadnezzar.
Despite the Chaldean education they received, these young Hebrews were strongly attached to the religion of their father, and Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego's refusal to join in the worship of the image on the plain of Dura aroused the anger of the king. He placed a swift sentence upon the three offenders, and ordered his men to toss them into a fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. The men who placed the three in the furnace were burned to death, but the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego protected them, and they emerged from the flames unharmed.
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King Nebuchadnezzar was considered by many to be the greatest and most powerful of the Babylonian kings. His name is explained to mean "Nebo is the protector against misfortune." He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Babylonian empire.
In the lifetime of his father, Nebuchadnezzar led an army against Pharaoh-nech, king of Egypt, defeated him at Carchemish, recovered Coele-Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine, took Jerusalem, pressed forward to Egypt and was engaged in that country or upon its borders when intelligence arrived which recalled him hastily to Babylon. Nabopolassar, after reigning twenty-one years, had died and the throne was vacant. In alarm about the succession, Nebuchadnezzar returned to the capital, accompanied only by his light troops, and reached Babylon before any disturbance had arisen, and entered peaceably on his kingdom in B.C. 604.
The wealth, greatness, and general prosperity of Nebuchadnezzar are strikingly placed before us in the book of Daniel. However, toward the close of his reign, his glory suffered a temporary eclipse. As a punishment for his pride and vanity, a strange form of madness was sent upon him, wherein he imagined himself to be a beast and lived as one for four to seven years.
After King Nebuchadnezzar's malady left him, his reason returned, and the "glory of his kingdom, his honor and brightness returned." He died in the year B.C. 561 at an advanced age, having reigned forty-three years.
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The well-known story of the writing on the wall that occurred during Belshazzar's Feast is told in the Book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar had died, and King Belshazzar had replaced him. He was as proud and rebellious as Nebuchadnezzar had once been, but he did not, like Nebuchadnezzar, repent and turn to God before his death.
As Belshazzar celebrated in his palace, armies from Media and Persia, commanded by Cyrus, the king of Persia's son, were approaching Babylon. But Belshazzar thought he was safe within the walls of his strong city.
During the feast, Belshazzar brought out the holy vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from God's temple in Jerusalem, and poured wine into them, and praised their idols, and dishonored God. While they were feasting, Belshazzar looked up to the wall of the room where he and his princes and nobles were sitting, and he saw the fingers of a man's hand writing upon the wall. He could not tell who was writing or what the words said. Daniel was sent for, and Belshazzar asked him to interpret the words. Daniel said the words were, "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Peres, Upharsin." When asked what they meant, Daniel went on to say, "This is the interpretation: Mene, God has numbered thy kingdom, and finished it; Tele, thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting; Peres, Upharsin, thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."
Belshazzar clothed Daniel in scarlet, gave him a chain of gold, and proclaimed him ruler in the kingdom; and then the feast went on. The king and his guests did not take Daniel or God's words seriously. The next day the armies of the Medes and Persians invaded Babylon and killed King Belshazzar.
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While Daniel's ability to interpret dreams happened during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, the Prophecies of Daniel occur primarily during the third year of Cyrus's rule through a series of visions, in which he was informed of the minutest details repecting the future history and suffering of his nation, to the period of their true redemption through Christ, as also a consolatory notice to himself to proceed calmly and peaceably to the end of his days, and then await patiently the resurrection of the dead at the end of time.
The development of the whole of the heathen power, until the completion and glorification of the kingdom of God, appeared to the prophet in the shape of four powers of the world, each successive power always surpassing the preceding in might and strength, namely the Babylonia, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman. The kingdom of God proves itself conqueror of them all--a power which alone is everlasting, and showing itself in its utmost glorification in the appearance of the Messiah, as Judge and Lord of the world. Until the coming of the Messiah, the people of God have yet to go through a period of heavy trials. That period is particularly described in Chaters 8 and 11, illustrative of the last and heaviest combats which the kingdom of God would have to endure.
The revelations of Daniel include: the Vision of the Four Great Beasts (Chapter 7); the Vision of the Ram and the He-Goat (Chapter 8); the Vision of the Conflict between the Kings of the North and of the South (Chapters 10 - 11); and the Vision of the Time of the End (Chapter 12).
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The Prophet Daniel interpreted two dreams for Nebuchadnezzar, and later, during Belshazzar's feast, he interpreted the writing on the wall and prophesied the downfall of Babylonia to the Medes and Persians. At the accession of Darius, he was made first of the "three presidents" of the empire, and was delivered from the lions' den, into which he had been cast for his faithfulness to the rites of his faith.
During the rule of Cyrus, he still retained his prosperity, though he does not appear to have remained at Babylon. And in the "third year of Cyrus" he has his last recorded vision, on the banks of the Tigris River. From that period, the accounts respecting the Prophet Daniel are vague, sometimes confused, and even strange. Reports of his death were said to have taken place in Palestine, Babylon, or Susa. In the prophecies of Ezekiel, mention is made of Daniel as a pattern of righteousness and wisdom.
The Greek translation of Daniel contains several pieces which are not found in the original text. The most important are the Apocrypha of the English Bible. The first of these is supposed to be the triumphal song of the three confessors in the furnace praising God for their deliverance. The second, called also The Judgment of Daniel, related the story of the clearing of Susannah from a charge of adultery. And the third gives an exaggerated account of Daniel's deliverance.
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In the Book of Nehemiah, as in the Book of Ezra, the writing is clearly and certainly not all by the same hand. By far the most important portion is the work of Nehemiah, but other portions are either extracts from various chronicles and registers or supplementary narrative and reflections, some apparently by Ezra, others, perhaps, the worked of the same person who inserted the later genealogical extracts from the public chronicles.
The main history contained in the Book of Nehemiah covers about twelve years, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes. The whole narrative gives us a graphic and interesting account of the state of Jerusalem and the returned captives in the writer's times, and incidentally, of the nature of the Persian government and the condition of its remote provinces.
Nehemiah, the book's central figure, was the son of Hachaliah, and apparently of the tribe of Judah. We first find him at Shushan, in high office as the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes Longimanus. In the twentieth year of the king's reign, certain Jews arrived from Judea, bringing Nehemiah a deplorable account of the state of Jerusalem. He immediately conceived the idea of going to Jerusalem to endeavor to better their state and obtained the king's consent for this mission.
Nehemiah's great work was rebuilding, for the first time since their destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, the walls of Jerusalem, and restoring that city to its former state and dignity as a fortified town. Suspicions of the king and sabotage by others halted the work for several years, but eventually the walls and temple at Jerusalem were repaired and rededicated, and the observation for keeping the holy Sabbath was reintroduced and enforced.
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The Book of Ezra is a continuation of the Books of Chronicles. The period covered by the book is eighty years, from the first of Cyrus, B.C. 536, to the beginning of the eighth of Artaxerxes, B.C. 456. It consists of the contemporary historical journals kept from time to time, containing an account of the return of the captives under Zerubbabel, and the rebuilding of the temple in the reign of Cyrus and Cambyses. Most of the book is written in Hebrew, but several chapters are written in Chaldee. The last four chapters, beginning with Chapter 7, continue the history after a gap of fifty-eight years--from the sixth of Darius to the seventh of Artaxerxes--narrating his visit to Jerusalem and giving an account of the reforms accomplished there. Much of the book was written by Ezra himself, though the first chapter was probably written by Daniel. Styles of other writers are also apparent.
Ezra, called Esdras in the Apocrypha, was a famous scribe and priest. He was residing in Babylon, when in the seventh year of Artaxerxes's reign he obtained leave to go to Jerusalem and to take with him a company of Israelites. The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took four months, and the company brought with them a large offering of gold and silver. It appears that Ezra's great design was to effect a religious reformation among the Palestine Jews. His first step was to enforce separation upon all who had married foreign wives. We hear nothing more of him until thirteen years later, when we find him again at Jerusalem with Nehemiah. The date of his death is uncertain; however, there was a Jewish tradition that he was burred in Persia.
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The Book of Esther, one of the latest of the canonical books of Scriputre, was written late in the reign of Xerxes, or early in that of his son Artaxerxes Longimanus (B. C. 444 - 434). The author is unknown. The Book of Esther is placed among the hagiographa by the Jews, and in that first portion of them which they call "the five rolls." It was written on a single roll, in a dramatic style, and it has often been remarked as a peculiarity of this book that the name of God does not once occur in it. One possible reason is that this allows the reading of the book at the hilarious and noisy festival of Purim, without irreverence. Another explanation is that the author wished to avoid giving offense to the Persians, or that the whole was taken from the Persian annals, to which an appeal is made. The style of the writing is remarkably chaste and simple. The Hebrew is very similar to that of Ezra and parts of the Chronicles; generally pure, but mixed with some of Chaldaic affinity.
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Mordecai was the son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin, descended from one of the captives transported to Babylon with Jehoiachin. He was a resident at Susa, then the metropolis of the Persian empire, and had under his care his niece Hadessa, otherwise known as Esther, whose parents had both died. When King Ahasuerus was looking for a replacement for Queen Vashti, Mordecai placed Esther among the group of beautiful young women to be displayed before the king. Ahasuerus chose Esther, not knowing of her Jewish descent.
Mordecai seems to have held some office at the court, where he became aware of a plot to kill the king. He was able to warn Esther, who in turn warned Ahasuerus, and the plot was thwarted. However, at that time Mordecai received no recognition for his efforts.
On the rise of Haman, an Amlekite, to power at court, Mordecai alone, of all the nobles and officers who crowded the royal gates, refused to show the customary signs of homage. Haman noticed this lack of respect and brooded over it from day to day. Knowing that the Israelites had vowed eternal enmity towards the Amalekites, vowed by one great stroke to exterminate the Hebrew nation.
When Mordecai heard of Haman's intentions, he covered himself with sackcloth and ashes, and rent the air with his cries. Esther sent a messenger to find out the cause of Mordecai's grief; she risked her life in order to speak to Ahasueurus and avert Haman's attempts to destroy the Jews.
In the meantime, Haman had constructed gallows with which to hang Mordecai, but instead, the king, Haman the humiliating task of handing Mordecai the royal robes and conducting him in a magnificent cavalcade throughout the city.
Mordecai was invested with great power. His first use of it was to counteract the decree obtained by Haman, and although some blood was shed, many lives were also saved due to Mordecai's efforts. The Feast of Purim was instituted in memory of this deliverance and is celebrated to this day.
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The King Ahasuerus who appears in the Book of Esther, is most probably Xerxes of history, and this conclusion is fortified by the resemblance of character and by certain chronological indications, the accounts of his life and character agreeing with the Book of Esther.
In the third year of his reign, Ahasuerus held a great feast and assembly in Shushan the palace following a council held to consider the invasion of Greece. He ordered his queen Vashti to be brought out, to show the people her beauty. On her refusal to violate her modesty, he divorced her. Four years afterwards, he married Esther, the cousin and ward of Mordecai.
Five months after this, Haman, one of his counsellors, having been slighted by Mordecai, prevailed upon the king to order the destruction of all the Jews in the empire. But before the day appointed for the massacre, Esther and Mordecai induced the king to put Haman to death, and to give the Jews the right of self-defense.
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Haman was the chief minister or vizier of King Ahasuerus. Haman was an Amalekite, and when Mordecai refused to humble himself before him, Haman decided to have all the Jews in Persia exterminated. He was able to mislead Kind Ahasuerus and procure a bloody decree for the death of all the Hebrew people in a single day. In addition, Haman's wife, Zeresh, urged him to build a very high gallows with which to hang Mordecai.
In the meantime, King Ahasuerus was restless and could not sleep. He called his servants and asked them to read to him from the history books of his kingdom. While listening, he was reminded that Mordecai had once saved his life but that he had not been honored for this act.
The next day, Haman appeared before the king. He planned to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged upon the gallows which had just been made, but the king did not know this. Instead, when Haman was called in to the see the king, Ahasuerus asked him,"What shall be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor?" Haman assumed that the king wished to honor him, so he said that the king should give the man he wished to honor the royal garments, horse, and crown and then be lead around the city with great honor. King Ahasuerus agreed and said, "The man that I wish to honor is Mordecai the Jew." The king then asked Haman to take the royal garments, and the crown, and the horse and lead Mordecai through the city in triumph.
Later, after Mordecai had warned Queen Esther about Haman's plot to kill the Jews, and Esther had risked her life to appeal to the king, Ahasueurs recognized the wickedness of Haman, and he had Haman hung on the very gallows he had constructed.
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Queen Esther became the wife of King Ahasuerus when the king became unhappy with his previous queen, Vashti. He commanded all the beautiful young women in this kingdom to be brought to the palace, that he might see them, and choose one from among them and make her queen. Many young women came to the palace, but the Bible tells about only one of them--Esther. She was a Jew who had been carried captive with her family to Babylon, with Jehoiachin, many years before. Both her parents had died, and her older cousin, Mordecai, took her in and raised her.
Esther grew up to be a very beautiful girl, so when the king commanded all the young women to be brought to the palace, Mordecai sent Esther with them. No one at the palace knew that Esther was a Jew; Mordecai had thought it best to keep that a secret. When the young women were brought before the king, he liked Esther the best and chose her for his queen. So he took the crown and put it upon her head and held a great feast to celebrate.
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Esther from the Bible had the Hebrew name of Hadassah. She was the daughter of Abihail, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Esther was a beautiful Jewish maiden. She was an orphan and had been brought up by her cousin Mordecai, who had an office in the household of Ahasuerus king of Persia--supposed to be Xerxes of history--and dwelt at Shushan the palace. When Vashti was dismissed from being queen, the king chose Esther to take her place on account of her beauty, not knowing her true race or parentage.
Esther appears in the bible as a woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism and caution, combined with resolution. She was a dutiful daughter to her adoptive father, docile and obedient to his counsels, and anxious to share the king's favor with him for the good of the Jewish people. There must have been a singular grace and charm in her aspect and manners, since she "obtained favor in the sight of all that looked upon her."
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These illustrations of Esther and Ahasuerus from the Book of Esther, show Esther risking her life to make her appeal to the King. Haman, the chief minister of the king, had obtained from the king the monstrous edict which would allow all the Jews in Persia to be killed. Esther knew that she had to speak to the king to dissuade him from his decree which had been sent out to all the provinces, telling the governors, the rulers, and the people of Persia, that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, they should destroy the Jews in every city, and take way whatever belonged to them.
But Esther was afraid. All the king's servants, and all the people of Persia knew that whosoever went before the king without being called, whether it be man or woman, must be put to death unless the king held out his golden scepter and gave permission to speak. So Esther asked Mordecai and all the Jews in the city to fast and pray for her for three days. Then she would go and speak to the king, even if she might be put to death.
After three day, Esther came to the king, though he had not called for her. She fell down at his feet and wept there. The the king held out the golden scepter toward her, indicating that she was free to speak. She arose and stood before him and begged that the decree of Haman be changed.
Although the decree could not be withdrawn, the king allowed Esther and Mordecai to make another decree concerning the Jews which said that the Jews had permission on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, to gather themselves together in every city, and to slay and destroy all who should try to harm them.
The decree was sent out throughout the land, and even through there was fighting and many died, many more were saved because of Esther's courage.
The drawings which show Esther and Ahasuerus are from a number of Bible story books. Feel free to use these pictures of Esther and Ahasuerus in your art work. Click on the illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image of Esther and Ahasuerus or about purchasing one at a higher resolution.
Jeremiah from the Bible was the son of Hilkiah, a priest of Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin. Many have supposed that his father was the high-pirest of the same name, who found the book of the law in the eighteenth year of Josiah. This, however, seems improbable since there is nothing in the writing of Jeremiah to lead us to think that his father was more than an ordinary priest.
Jeremiah was very young when the word of the Lord first came to him. This event took place in the thirteenth year of Josiah (B.C. 629), whilst the youthful prophet still lived at Anathoth. It would seen that he remained in his native city several years, but at length, in order to escape the persecution of his fellow townsmen, an even of his own family, as well as to have a wider field for his exertions, he left Anathoth and took up his residence at Jerusalem.
Jeremiah was a contemporary with Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, and Daniel. None of these prophets, however, are in any remarkable way connected with him, except Ezekiel. They both, during a long series of years, were laboring at the same time and for the same object.
An analysis of Jeremiah's character in the Bible shows that he was sensitive to a most painful degree, timid, shy, hopeless, and constantly complaining and dissatisfied with the course of events, but never flinching from duty. He was a noble example of the triumph of the moral over the physical nature.
On this page are images of Jeremiah from the Bible taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these Jeremiah Bible pictures in your any of your projects. Click on the Jeremiah Bible illustrations below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the Jeremiah Bible images at a higher resolution.
The Bible Prophets shown in this section are called "minor" not in depreciation but because their Books are very much shorter than those of the three Major Prophets--Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. In the first six Books--those of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah--one can see how different the ancient Books of Prophecy are in form and content. Hosea, one of the greatest figures in the prophetic line, uses autobiography to drive home a religious moral. Joel is distinguished for what has been called the best example of dramatic characterization in Hebrew writing. Amos, the shepherd of Tekoa, conveys an atmosphere of bucolic activity. Obadiah is a Hebrew nationalist, denouncing his people's ancient foe. Jonah presents one of the best-known of the Bible stories. And Micah combines fierce invective with visions of peaceful happiness.
The Minor Prophets who have given their names to the last six Books of the Old Testament--Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi--offer no less interest and variety than their predecessors. They resemble one another in their intensity and conviction, but differ widely in their imagery and modes of expression. Nahum devotes his whole Book to depicting the impending fall of Nineveh, and his imagination revels in the terrors of the onslaught. Habakkuk predicts the uprising of the Chaldean nation; his account is interrupted by a prayer. Zephaniah is inspired by the irruption of the Scythian hordes to foretell the Day of the Lord, but holds out the possibility that repentance may still save Judah. The oracles of Haggai and Zechariah are concerned with the glory of the Lord and the restoration of Jewish Nationality. The book of Malachi is largely given up to a polemic against the priest of Jerusalem, with a message to the ungodly of retribution and of hope to the Gentile.
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At the very first glance, the Book of Isaiah is seen to consist of three distinct parts and is divided into sixty-six chapters.
The first part, Chapters 1 - 38, constitute a more of less homogeneous collection and are distinctly prophetic. They contain Isaiah's prophecies in the reigns of of Uzziah and Jothan, foretelling that the present prosperity of Judah should be destroyed and that Israel should be brought to desolation. There is the announcement of the birth of the child Immanuel, more prophecies against Israel, an ode of triumph, and a prediction of the Assyrian invasion.
The second part of the Book of Isaiah, Chapters 39-66, contains a historical sketch of some events during Hezekiah's reign and another homogeneous collection and are as distinctly prophetic as chapters 1 - 38. They appear to form a separate prophecy, and are supposed by many critics to have been written in the time of the Babylonian captivity and are therefore sometimes ascribed to a "later Isaiah." This seond part falls into three sections of nine chapters each. The main topics include the comforting assurance of the deliverance from Babylon by Koresh (Cyrus), who is named twice. In the second section the return from exile is spoken of repeatedly, and section three is mainly occupied with various practical exhortations founded upon the views of the future already set forth.
These pictures from the Book of Isaiah were taken from several old Bible books. You're welcomed to use these Book of Isaiah illustrations in your art projects. Click on the Book of Isaiah drawings below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images of of the Book of Isaiah at a higher resolution.