In the context of the Bible, the term "pictures" can refer to various forms of visual representation, including images, carvings, and artistic depictions. The use and significance of pictures in biblical times are multifaceted, encompassing religious, cultural, and historical dimensions.

Biblical References and Context

1. Idolatry and Prohibition: The Bible frequently addresses the use of images in the context of idolatry. The Second Commandment explicitly prohibits the making of carved images for worship: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath" (Exodus 20:4). This commandment underscores the danger of substituting the worship of the one true God with the veneration of created images.

2. Cultural Artifacts: In the ancient Near East, pictures and carvings were common in various cultures. The Israelites, surrounded by nations that used images in religious practices, were distinct in their aniconic worship. However, the Bible does mention the use of artistic craftsmanship in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple. For instance, the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant and the intricate designs in the Temple were divinely sanctioned (Exodus 25:18-20; 1 Kings 6:29).

3. Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery: Pictures and visual symbols are also used metaphorically in the Bible. Prophets often employed vivid imagery to convey divine messages. For example, Ezekiel's visions are replete with symbolic pictures, such as the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) and the vision of the new Temple (Ezekiel 40-48).

4. Teaching and Remembrance: Visual representations served as tools for teaching and remembrance. The Passover, for instance, is a vivid picture of God's deliverance, commemorated through the ritual meal (Exodus 12). Similarly, Jesus used parables, which are verbal pictures, to illustrate spiritual truths (Matthew 13:34-35).

5. New Testament Perspectives: In the New Testament, the focus shifts from physical representations to the spiritual reality they signify. Jesus Christ is described as "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15), emphasizing the incarnation as the ultimate revelation of God. The early church, while operating in a world filled with images, maintained a focus on the spiritual and invisible nature of God.

Theological Implications

The use of pictures in the Bible highlights the tension between the visible and the invisible, the material and the spiritual. While the Bible acknowledges the role of art and imagery in human culture, it consistently warns against the potential for idolatry and the misrepresentation of God's nature. The biblical narrative encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding of God's character beyond physical representations, focusing on the spiritual truths conveyed through Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ.4917. sunthlao -- to crush together
... with) Christ. (Mt 21:44) This verse "graphically pictures the fate of
the man who rejects Christ. The verb means to shatter. We ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4917.htm - 7k

Word Pictures.
... WORD PICTURES. The Prodigal Son. The boy got his money, and away he went. He feels
very independent; he can take care of himself; he can work his own way. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/word pictures.htm

Five Pictures of Jesus.
... III The Lover Wooing (John i. 19-xii. 50) Five Pictures of Jesus. There are five
wondrous pictures of Jesus in these newer leaves of the old Book. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/five pictures of jesus.htm

The First Bible Pictures
... CHAPTER XIII THE FIRST BIBLE PICTURES. [Illustration: (drop cap T) Roman Scourge]
Those boys and girls who love their Bibles are fond of Bible pictures. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter xiii the first bible.htm

Three Pictures of one Reality
... THREE PICTURES OF ONE REALITY. ... I. And, first, I would note the very striking
and beautiful pictures that are given in these verses. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/three pictures of one reality.htm

Teaching of Pictures. March 29.
... Teaching of Pictures. March 29. Pictures raise blessed thoughts in me. Why
not in you, my toiling brother? Those landscapes painted ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /teaching of pictures march 29.htm

But in Regard to Pictures and Statues, and Other Works of this ...
... Book 2 Chapter 39. But in regard to pictures and statues, and other works
of this kind? 39. But in regard to pictures and statues ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 39 but in regard.htm

In Some Pictures of the Venerable Icons, a Lamb is Painted to ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXXXII. In some pictures of the venerable
icons, a lamb is painted to which the Precursor? ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxxxii in some pictures.htm

As Pictures are Made Curious by Lights and Shades
... THE FIRST CENTURY 41 As pictures are made curious by lights and shades.
As pictures are made curious by lights and shades, which ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/41 as pictures are made.htm

The Church is not to be Blamed for the Conduct of Bad Christians ...
... Of the Morals of the Catholic Church. Chapter 34. "The Church is Not to Be Blamed
for the Conduct of Bad Christians, Worshippers of Tombs and Pictures. 74. ...
/.../chapter 34 name church is.htm

The Heath in the Desert and the Tree by the River
... 6, 8. The prophet here puts before us two highly finished pictures. In ... has
come. The pictures are coloured by Eastern experience. For ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heath in the desert.htm

Pictures (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pictures (5 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/p/pictures.htm - 7k

Picture (6 Occurrences)
... In Numbers and Proverbs "pictures" represents the Hebrew word maskith, "showpiece"
"figure." The context in Numbers suggests that the "pictures" or "carved ...
/p/picture.htm - 10k

Pictured (26 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Picture. 2. (a.) Furnished with pictures; represented by a picture
or pictures; as, a pictured scene. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/pictured.htm - 15k

Exploration
... The pictures of its population, cities, fortresses and armies give a color and
perspective to its ancient history far more vivid than can be found on any of ...
/e/exploration.htm - 38k

Imagery (5 Occurrences)
... im'-aj-ri (maskith, "carved figure"): Only in Ezekiel 8:12, "every man in his chambers
of imagery," ie dark chambers on whose walls were pictures in relief ...
/i/imagery.htm - 10k

Illustrate (1 Occurrence)
... and examples. 4. (vt) To adorn with pictures, as a book or a subject; to
elucidate with pictures, as a history or a romance. 5. (vt ...
/i/illustrate.htm - 7k

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) A mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas by words which suggest
pictures or images from the physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence ...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... from Tyre and Egypt and even Assyria and Babylonia, rather than from their own waters,
that the Hebrew prophets and psalmists drew their pictures of seafaring ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Ships (46 Occurrences)
... from Tyre and Egypt and even Assyria and Babylonia, rather than from their own waters,
that the Hebrew prophets and psalmists drew their pictures of seafaring ...
/s/ships.htm - 53k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... They may be (1) themselves objects of worship, (2) pictures, embodiments or
dwelling-places (temple, ark, pillar, priests) of deities worshipped, (3) empowered ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

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