Chapter 13 - Old Testament

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a bronze snake and to lift it up on a pole. Every person who saw the bronze snake was healed. 2. The bronze snake is an allegory of Jesus being put up on a cross. All who looked upon His sacrificial death and believed would be “healed” of their sins. Even Jesus Himself alluded to this point in John 3:14-15, when He said He too would be lifted up. The two events were often portrayed together in stained glass.

SETH – 1. He is represented by three seeds from the Tree of Life. 2. A thread wound around the thumb three times.

THE SIBYLS – “In Mediaeval days and during the Renaissance artists were often known to picture the Twelve Sibyls in company with the prophets. These Sibyls are supposed to have been prophetesses who uttered Messianic testimony in pagan lands. Persica proclaimed our Lord in Persia, it is said. Her symbol is a lantern, and she tramples a serpent or a dragon under foot. She revealed the Messiah by means of the Book of Genesis. Libyca’s field of activity was in Africa. She is represented by a torch or a burning candle, because she is said to have declared Jesus Christ as a Light to enlighten the Gentiles. Erythraea, who went to the lands bordering the Red Sea, holds a sword, or is shown by a horn, or a white rose. She declared the Annunciation. Cumana went to Cumea. Her symbol is a manger, because she is reported to have declared the Nativity of our Lord. Samiana, who labored in Samos, is given a reed or a cradle, for she spoke of our Lord’s

birth in a cattle shed. Cimmeriana, who went to the lands around the Black Sea, is shown by a horn of milk, for she foretold the nurture of the Holy Child. Europeana went to Europe, it is said, and preached concerning the slaughter of the Innocents. Her emblem is a sword. Tiburtina proclaimed the Lord’s coming in Tivoli. She is given a hand or a rod, for she spoke of the smiting of our Saviour. Agrippa is shown by a scourge, for she is thought to have predicted the scourging of our Lord. Delphica, who went to Delos, is shown by a horn or a crown of thorns. She is said to have foretold the crowning of our Lord with thorns. Hellespontica, who preached at the Hellespont, is shown by means of a flowering rod or a Tau cross. She spoke of the Incarnation and the Crucifixion.
Phrygiana, whose field of activity was in Phrygia, carries a processional cross or a banner of victory, for she proclaimed the Resurrection. Examples of these Sibyls may be seen in the south aisle windows of St. Quen of Rouen, at Sens, at Autun, on the west of the church at Aix, in Michelangelo’s mural paintings in the Sistene Chapel, in Giotto’s Tower at Florence, at St. Jacques’ at Dieppe, and in Raphael’s ‘Adoration of the Kings.’ Two Sibyls are introduced in the famous polyptych at St. Bavon’s Cathedral in Ghent.”2

SOLOMON – 1. Solomon, Israel’s wisest king, is symbolized by Solomon’s Temple which he built (I Kings 6). 2. A scroll and scepter, to symbolize his rule as king. 3. An idol can be used in a negative sense, because it led to his downfall (I Kings 11).

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