Groups of People in Old Testament Stories

Basic Info

The most common Old Testament stories that involve groups of people are the Flood destroying the wicked, the Tower of Babel, the Exodus from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness, various battles, David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant through the streets of Jerusalem, and people listening to the prophets. The two stories from the early Creation material in the Book of Genesis, the Flood and the Tower of Babel, are about people who are evil or idolatrous. Depictions of the Prophets preaching can focus on an audience that is open to God’s Law or whose hearts have been hardened to that message. Depictions of the Israelite army readied for, or engaged in, battle depict the Israelites as faithful and the enemy as evil.

But groups of people depicted in the stories of the Exodus, in which the Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt then wander in the wilderness for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land, and of King David dancing as the Ark of the Covenant triumphantly enters Jerusalem are generally presented as good and faithful people. In the wilderness, the people are sometimes depicted as grumbling (Exodus 15:24, 16:2–3, 17:2–3), but the gifts of manna, quail, and water usually restore the faith of the group.

Historical Notes

Anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jewish people) has often been deeply entrenched in Christianity. Christian art has not been immune from this disease. Artworks depicting Jewish people in New Testament stories often depict them as evil or ignorant. But in Old Testament stories, Christian artists tend to treat Jewish people with respect, considering them the ancestors of Christians. 

What to Look For

• The attention or emotional state of the group (expressions, gestures, postures, etc.)
• Diversity within the crowd
• Unity or similarity within the crowd
• Whether anything is competing for the crowd’s attention (children, responsibilities, other gods or idols, etc.)
• The leader’s attitude or emotional state (expression, gestures, posture, etc.)
• The relationship or connection between the leader(s) and the group
• Whether the people are keeping or violating the covenant (Ten Commandments)
• Evidence or symbols of God’s presence (clouds, fire, storm, Ark of the Covenant, etc.)
• Whether the people are worshipping God in any way

Questions to Focus a General Interpretation

What is the flow of action in the artwork, the people toward God, God toward the people, or a combination of these?

The overall message of the Old Testament is that God is active in human history, especially on behalf of the poor and oppressed. Does the artwork convey either of these?

Christians have often interpreted the Old Testament as foreshadowing the coming of Jesus and his whole story. Does the artwork contain recognizable links to Jesus, Mary, or the events of Jesus’ life?

Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation

Among the variety of people represented in the group depicted in this artwork, can you find someone who seems close to who you are or aspire to be? How would you like to grow toward fuller relationship with God?

Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation

How might the people in the artist’s time and place have recognized themselves in this artwork? What was going on in their world that parallels this scene?

To see some of the more detailed links about these figures, they are available in the Bible Stories section.