Biblical Imagery

Biblical Imagery

As time went on, Hebrew books increasingly employed biblical figures and scenes on the title pages. Most common were Moses and Aaron, who often stand in front of the pillars of the gate on the right and left respectively, as on the title page of Sefer Maʻaśeh Roḳeaḥ (Venice, 1742, at right). The title page of Sefer ha-Gedarim (also known as Mikhlal Yofi) (Amsterdam, 1684, below) shows King David kneeling, playing his harp, a pose well known from Jewish iconography.

Some title pages incorporated several biblical scenes, as on the hand-colored title page of Ḥamishah Ḥumshe Torah (Amsterdam, 1666). Four biblical narratives are featured, each accompanied by a quote that identifies the drawings. The following scenes are depicted: David playing the harp and dancing before the ark (Samuel 2: Chapter 6) on the top right, Samuel anointing David as king to succeed Saul (Samuel 1: Chapter 16) on the bottom right, Salomon and the two harlots (Kings 1: Chapter 3) on the bottom left and Elijah's challenge of Baal (Kings 1: Chapter 18) on the top left.

Sefer Maʻaśeh Roḳeaḥ.

Sefer ha-Gedarim, oder, Leḳsiḳon fon ṿisenshafṭn : beʼur milim filosofiyim.

Ḥamishah Ḥumshe Torah : tiḳun sofrim sapir gizrato

Venice : Meʼir da Zarah

Berlin : Ḥevrat ḥinukh neʻarim

Amsterdam : David de Castro Tartaz

1742

558 [1798]

5426 [1666]

Digital Image: Washington University in Saint Louis

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