Painting
Summary
Painting in Scripture refers both to the art of creating images and to the cosmetic practice of painting around the eyes.
☩Eye Painting
The practice of painting the eyes with antimony or other pigments to make them appear larger was common in the ancient Near East. Jezebel 'painted her eyes' before meeting Jehu, and the prophet Jeremiah used this image to describe Israel's futile attempts to beautify herself. Small bottles and applicator sticks for this cosmetic have been found in Egyptian tombs.
☩Decorative Art
While images were generally forbidden under Mosaic law, houses were sometimes decorated with painted scenes. Jeremiah mentions houses 'painted with vermilion.' Ezekiel describes Chaldean figures 'portrayed upon the wall' with vermilion, girded with belts—descriptions that correspond remarkably with the decorated walls of Assyrian palaces discovered at Nimrud and Khorsabad.
References
- 1.George Morrish, "Painting," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Painting," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Painting," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).