Other “Minor” Prophets

The Bible designates the latter prophets as “Minor” because of their length, rather than, necessarily, their importance.  Because of the less play such prophets have had in the Christian Church, they have also received less attention by artists.

Joel MICHELANGELO (1508-1512)

See http://www.artbible.info/art/large/72.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

 Hosea DUCCIO (1255-1319)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-.html?/html/d/duccio/buoninse/maesta/predel_f/pre_f_m.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a very brief description.

Jonah MICHELANGELO (1511)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/m/michelan/3sistina/3prophet/10_3pr7.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a description of it.

Jonah in the Sea DALI (1964-67)

See http://www.artbible.net/1T/-Jon-01,01_Events_Portraits_Evenements/2%20Delivered_Delivrance/20%20DALI%2053%20IONAS%20IN%20VENTRE%20PISCIS.JPG.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

The Prophet Habakkuk DONATELLO (1427-36)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/d/donatell/1_early/duomo/8habak.html for the source of the above photograph of the sculpture and a description.

The Lunette of Hezekiah, Manasseh and Amon MICHELANGELO (1511)

See http://www.oldworldartisans.com/images/Web%20Pages/Fresco%20Styles/the_Lunette_of_Hezekiah,_Manasseh,_Amon,_by_michelangelo.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

The Prophet Hosea and the Delphic Sibyl PINTURICCHIO (1492-94)

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See http://www.oldworldartisans.com/images/Web%20Pages/Fresco%20Styles/the_Lunette_of_Hezekiah,_Manasseh,_Amon,_by_michelangelo.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

Ezekiel and Daniel

Ezekiel

The Vision of Ezekiel COLLANTES

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/c/collante/vision.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a description.

Ezekiel Saw The Wheel UNKNOWN BIBLE ILLUSTRATOR (c. 1165)

See http://www.dartmouth.edu/~matc/math5.geometry/unit9/unit9.html for the source of the above photograph of the Bible illustration.

Daniel

Daniel was one of the chosen young Jews who were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar to be trained in Babylon.  In the second year of the king’s reign, he had some disturbing dreams.   None of his wise men could provide an interpretation, so he ordered that they all be killed.  Daniel was in training as a wise man, and, not wanting that particular fate, prayed about the matter and was able to interpret the dream to the king’s satisfaction.  Daniel 2.  Daniel 4:31-34 tells us that Nebuchadnezzar became a madman.  In the following painting, Blake picks up on that theme.

Nebuchadnezzar BLAKE (1795)

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar_(Blake) for the source of the above photograph of the engraving with pen, ink and watercolor and a description.

Daniel 5 tells us that King Belshazar gave a banquet, during which a finger wrote something on the wall.  Daniel provided an interpretation of it.

Belshazzar’s Feast REMBRANDT (1635)

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belshazzar’s_Feast_(Rembrandt) for the source of the above photograph of the painting and an excellent description of it and its background.

In Daniel 6, we read that Daniel and his friends were successful in their training, which caused some jealousy among others.  Understanding that Daniel was a righteous man, they also understood that they could entrap him only if it related to his God.  So, they conspired and obtained a decree of King Darius that if anyone prayed to any god other than King Darius, that person should be thrown into the lions’ den.

Daniel and the Lion BERNINI (1655)

See http://www.wga.hu/art/b/bernini/gianlore/sculptur/1650/daniel.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the sculpture.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gian_Lorenzo_Bernini for a description of the significance of Bernini’s work.

Daniel in the Lion’s Den RUBENS (1614/1616)

See http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg45/gg45-50298.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a description.

Daniel 7-10 describes Daniel’s vision.

The Vision of Daniel DROST (1650)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/d/drost/visionda.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

Daniel MICHELANGELO (1505)

See http://www.artbible.info/art/large/75.html for the source of the above photograph of the fresco.

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Jeremiah

Jeremiah is definitely the reluctant prophet, and not just at the beginning, as with Isaiah.  Jeremiah 1:4-19 tells of that call.

Jeremiah Receiving the Gift of Prophecy CHAGALL (1957)

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/haggertymuseum/3904586692/ for the source of the above photograph of the etching.

Jeremiah Prophesies Against the King DALI

See http://www.artbible.net/1T/Jer0101_Portrait_misc/source/20%20DALI%20J%20PROPHETIA%20CONTRA%20REGEM%20IOACHIN.JPG.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

As directed by God, Jeremiah reluctantly prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, and upon doing so, he was lowered into a cistern, where he sunk down into the mud.   Jeremiah 38:1-6.

Jeremiah in the Pit CHAGALL (1931-39)

See http://eastgatedev.com/images/Jeremiah_in_Pit.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

 

Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem REMBRANDT (1630)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/r/rembran/painting/biblic1/jeremiah.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a description.

Jeremiah’s Lamentation CHAGALL (1956)

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/32357038@N08/3273021504/ for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

Sufferings of Jeremiah CHAGALL (1931-39)

See http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/gallery/works/lamentationofjeremiah.htm for the source of the above photograph of the etching and a description.

The Prophet Jeremiah DONATELLO (1423-26)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/d/donatell/1_early/duomo/7jerem_1.html for the source of the above photograph of the sculpture and a brief description.

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Isaiah

The book of Isaiah begins with his vision and these words:

² Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the LORD has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me. . . .

²¹ See how the faithful city
has become a prostitute!
She once was full of justice;
righteousness used to dwell in her—
but now murderers!
Now that Isaiah has Israel’s attention with the wrath of God, he gives hope in Isaiah 2:

³The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
⁴ He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

Isaiah Swords and Plowshares RATNER

Isaiah 5:1-2 is the song of the vineyard:

 ¹ I will sing for the one I love
a song about his vineyard:
My loved one had a vineyard
on a fertile hillside.
² He dug it up and cleared it of stones
and planted it with the choicest vines.
He built a watchtower in it
and cut out a winepress as well.
Then he looked for a crop of good grapes,
but it yielded only bad fruit.

Vinea Electa DALI (My Chosen One’s Vineyard) (1964-67)

See http://www.artbible.net/1T/Isa0000_Portrait_misc/source/20%20DALI%2057%20ISA%205%206%20AND%20I%20WILL%20MAKE%20IT%20DESOLAT.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

Isaiah 6:1-7 tells us that Isaiah saw the Lord on “his throne, high and exalted and reacted,

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

The Call of Isaiah JOLLAIN (c. 1670)

See http://www.biblical-art.com/extra/ownpub/Jollain/Vol-02_0142.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the engraving.

Once his lips were cleansed,

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8.

The Call of Isaiah TIEPOLO (1696 – 1770)

See http://www.artbible.info/art/large/469.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

 Prophesy of Isaiah CHAGALL

 See http://www.artres.com/c/htm/CSearchZ.aspx?o=&Total=299&FP=658671&E=22SIJMIXSMW8&SID=JMGEJNTLNQLUT&Pic=11&SubE=2UNTWA4WRIX for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy DALI  (1969)

See http://www.artbible.net/1T/Isa0000_Portrait_misc/source/20%20DALI%2060%20IS%2040%209%20THAT%20BRINGEST%20GOOD%20TIDINGS.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the painting.  Isaiah 49-52.

Isaiah’s Prayer CHAGALL (1931-39)

See http://www.spaightwoodgalleries.com/Pages/Chagall_Bible_etchings3.html for the source of the above photograph of the etching.

Isaiah MICHAELANGELO (1508-1512)

See http://www.artbible.info/art/large/77.html for the source of the above photograph of the above painting.

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Elisha

2 Kings 2:9-13 describes the ascension of Elijah into heaven in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire caught in a whirlwind.  The symbol of authority of a master was his mantle and Elijah’s mantle fell to Elisha as Elijah ascended.  You may see the mantle falling in Ascension of Elijah LEAL, found in the preceding post of Elijah.  And so, Elisha was to pick up where his master left off.  His first miracle is to heal the water at Jericho.  2 Kings 2:19-22.

Elisha’s Well Pietro LORENZETTI (1328-29)

  See http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/19250-elisha-s-well-pietro-lorenzetti.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

2 Kings 4:1-7 tells us that one day a widow called out to Elisha that her husband was a God-fearing prophet but had died; that his creditors were coming to take her two sons as payment for her husband’s debt that she now could not pay.  Elisha took her small jar of oil and worked a miracle by which she kept pouring other jars full of oil sufficient too sell and pay the debt.

The Widow’s Oil UNKNOWN BIBLE ILLUSTRATOR (c. 1450)

See http://www.mnemosyne.org/mmw/fullsize/mmw_10b34_035r_min_2.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the illuminated manuscript.

For a story of Elisha feeding a hundred from twenty loaves of barley bread, see 2 Kings 4:42-44.  The story would seem to foreshadow that of Jesus feeding more people with less.

Elisha Multiplies the Bread TINTORETTO (1577-78)

See http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/40006-elisha-multiplies-the-bread-tintoretto.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

2 Kings 4:8-36 tells of the Shunammite woman who, with her husband, gave Elisha a chamber in their house to live in.  She was childress, Elisha foretold that she would have a child, she did but the child died, and Elisha lay upon the child and revived the child to life.

Elisha in the Chamber on the Wall BLAKE (1820)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/b/blake/08elisha.html for the source of the above photograph and a brief description of the painting of sepia wash over pencil.  It is not unusual that artists have over the years included portraits or alusions to themselves or others in the paintings to say something more than the title represents; in this case, the description suggests that Blake is somehow equating or at least suggesting a similarity of his work with Elisha and his visionary life.

2 Kings 5 tells of Naman, the army commander of the king of Aram, who has leprosy.  He hears of Elisha’s power to heal and goes to him for healing.  Elisha tells him to go wash in the Jordan seven times.  Naman is disappointed at a simple, non-ostentatious remedy that is offered to him.  ”

¹¹“But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. ¹² Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?’ So he turned and went off in a rage.

¹³ Naaman’s servants went to him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!’ ¹⁴ So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.”  Nathan rejoices, tells Elisha that now he knows that there is no God except that of Israel, and he offers Elisha a gift.  Elisha refuses it.

Elisha Refusing Gifts from Naaman GREBBER (1630)

See http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/5198-elisha-refusing-gifts-from-naaman-pieter-de-grebber.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.  For other paintings and interpretations of Grebber on the same subject, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_de_Grebber.

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Elijah

1 Kings 11:26-41 tells us that Jeroboam rebelled against King Solomon and took ten tribes. When King Solomon died, King Jeroboam became king of those tribes.  He also returned to idol worship.  I Kings 12:31-33.

Jeroboam Offering Sacrafice for the Idol FRAGONARD (1732-1806)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/f/fragonar/1/01jerobo.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

1 King 17:1-5 tells us that Elijah prophesies that for several years there will be neither dew nor rain.  God tells him to go hide out in a ravine where there is a brook for water and ravens will feed him bread and meat each morning and evening.

  Plague with the Prophet Elijah Fed by the Ravens UNKNOWN DUTCH POTTER (1658)

See http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/41343-plaque-with-the-prophet-elijah-fed-by-the-ravens-unknown-potter-dutch.html for the source of the above photograph of the pottery.

1 Kings 17:7-24 tells us the stroy of Elijah and the widow of Zarepath who has the faith  to feed Elijah the little that she has and she still has enough to feed herself and her son.  Her son dies and Elijah works a miracle to return him to life.

Elijah and the Widow of Zarepath UNKNOWN ARTIST (1500-20)

See http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Unknown-Painter/Elijah-And-The-Widow-Of-Zarapeth.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

1 Kings 18:16-45 tells us of Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal, who fail to call down fire from Baal to consume their sacrifice, whereas Elijah soaks his sacrifice to his God with water, and successfully calls down fire from heaven to consume it.  The people see that the Lord God of Elijah is great indeed.  Elijah is instructed to and slaughters all the prophets of Baal.

Offering of Elijah CHAGALL (1956)

See http://www.franklinbowlesgallery.com/SF/Artists/Chagall/pages/Etchings/bible/CHAG0801P_Plate_85.htm for the source of the photograph of the etching.

1 Kings 19 tells us that after the Elijah’s sacrifice is offered and received by God, Jezebel hears that Elijah killed all of the prophets, and she threatens to have Elijah’s life by that time the next day.  Elijah flees into the wilderness.  “He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” ⁵ Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.”  1 Kings 19:4b-5a.

Prophet Elijah in the Desert BOUTS (1464-68)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/b/bouts/dirk_e/lastsupp/5elijah.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a brief description.

 Landscape with the Prophet Elijah in the Desert BLOEMEART (1610’s)

See http://www.arthermitage.org/Abraham-Bloemaert/Landscape-with-the-Prophet-Elijah-in-the-Desert.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

 Elijah in the Wilderness OLIVIER (1831)

 See http://www.terminartors.com/artworkprofile/Olivier_Ferdinand_Johann_von-Elijah_in_the_Wilderness for the source of the above photograph of the painting.

Elijah’s Vision CHAGALL (1957)

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/haggertymuseum/3903801185/in/set-72157622265211295/ for the source of the above photograph of the lithograph.

 

2 Kings 2:1-12 tells of the ascension of Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind, when his mantle is given to Elisha.

  

Ascension of Elijah LEAL (1658)

See http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/v/valdes/ascensio.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a description of it.

Elijah Carried Off to Heaven CHAGALL (1956)

See http://www.franklinbowlesgallery.com/SF/Artists/Chagall/pages/Etchings/bible/CHAG0805P_Plate_89.htm for the source of the above photograph of the lithograph.

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https://bibleartists.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/ii-church-architecture-and-its-incorporation-of-art/

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Job

The book of Job begins, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”    Verse 6 sets the stage: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”  KJV  God asks Satan if, during his travels about the earth, he has observed any as perfect, upright and God-fearing as Job.  Satan answers that is because God has blessed Job and Job knows he needs to please God.  Satan says that if Job were to lose all he had, he would curse God.  God tells Satan Job is in his hands to “touch all he has,” but not Job, himself.  Here is the story as told through artists’ eyes.

Satan Going Forth From the Presence of God BLAKE

See http://www.blakearchive.org/blake/images/but550.1.5.wc.300.jpg for the source of the photograph of the above watercolor painting.  It would appear that Blake is showing that Satan has fallen from the presence of the “sons of God” who remain in the heavenly presence of their  father, to descend to earth to touch Job with great misfortune to test Job. Two angels, distinguished from the “sons of God” by their wings, look on as witnesses.

Job 1:13-21 tells us that in rapid succession messengers come to Job to tell him his children have died and he has lost his wealth.  When Job does not curse God, God sees Satan again and notes Job’s faithfulness.  “Skin for skin!” Satan replies. “A man will give all he has for his own life. ⁵ But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”  God says, very well then, but spare his life.  So Satan inflicts Job with painful boils over his body, which he scrapes.  Job 2:9, 10 tells us, “His wife says to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’  He replies, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’   In all this, Job does not sin in what he said.”  NIV

Job Ridiculed by his Wife DE LA TOUR (1593 – 1652)

See http://www.artbible.info/art/large/135.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting and a brief description.

The Trials of Job Leonaert BRAMER (1630’s)

See http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/22633-the-trials-of-job-bramer-leonaert.html for the source of the photograph of the drawing.   Bramer takes literally that Job is mourning on a dung heap.

Job’s Comforters BLAKE

See http://www.blakearchive.org/blake/images/but550.1.7.wc.300.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the  watercolor painting.

Job’s Despair BLAKE

 See http://www.blakearchive.org/blake/images/but550.1.8.wc.300.jpg for a source of the photograph of the above watercolor painting.

Job Rebuked by his Friends BLAKE

See http://www.artbible.info/art/large/636.html for the source of the above photograph of the etching.

Job Confessing His Presumptions to God Who Answers from the Whirlwind BLAKE

 See http://www.backtoclassics.com/gallery/williamblake/jobconfessinghispresumptiontogodwhoanswersfromthewhirlwind/ for the source of the above photograph of the watercolor painting.

 The Lord Answering Job out of the Whirlwind BLAKE

See http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Lord_Answering_Job_Out_of_the_Whirlwind_Butts_set.jpg for the source of the above photograph of the watercolor painting.

Scenes from the Life of Job UNKNOWN Flemish Painter (1480-90)

See http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/17752-scenes-from-the-life-of-job-flemish-unknown-master.html for the source of the above photograph of the painting.  I find the other-worldly, grotesque creatures and even the setting remarkably similar to that found in the slightly later paintings of  Hieronymus Bosch from that region, the Netherlands.

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