Painting, as an art form, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, yet the Scriptures provide insights into the use of color, artistry, and craftsmanship, which are integral to the practice of painting. The Bible acknowledges the importance of artistic expression in the worship and glorification of God, as well as in the beautification of sacred spaces.

Artistry in the Tabernacle and Temple

The construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem involved detailed artistic work, which can be seen as a precursor to painting. In Exodus 31:1-5, God appoints Bezalel, filling him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship. This includes the ability to work with gold, silver, and bronze, and to cut and set stones, as well as to work in wood and engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. While not directly mentioning painting, the skills described are foundational to the visual arts.

The use of color and design in the Tabernacle is further detailed in Exodus 26, where God provides specific instructions for the curtains, which were to be made of "finely twisted linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them" (Exodus 26:1). This use of color and imagery reflects the aesthetic principles that are central to painting.

Symbolism and Imagery

The Bible often uses vivid imagery and symbolism, which are key elements in painting. For instance, the visions of the prophets are rich with visual elements. In Ezekiel 1:4-28, the prophet describes a vision of heavenly beings and a divine throne, using detailed and colorful imagery. Such descriptions have inspired countless artists throughout history to depict biblical scenes and visions through painting.

Prohibition of Idolatry

While the Bible acknowledges the value of artistry, it also warns against the creation of images for idolatrous purposes. The second commandment explicitly prohibits the making of carved images or likenesses for worship (Exodus 20:4-5). This caution has historically influenced Christian perspectives on religious art, including painting, ensuring that artistic expressions serve to honor God rather than become objects of worship themselves.

The Role of Art in Worship

Throughout Christian history, painting has played a significant role in worship and religious education. The early church used frescoes and icons to convey biblical accounts and theological truths to congregations, many of whom were illiterate. These visual representations served as tools for teaching and meditation, helping believers to focus their thoughts on divine truths.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not directly address painting as a distinct art form, it provides a framework for understanding the role of art in the life of faith. Through the use of color, design, and imagery, the Scriptures affirm the value of artistic expression in glorifying God and enhancing worship.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Paint.

2. (n.) The act or employment of laying on, or adorning with, paints or colors.

3. (n.) The work of the painter; also, any work of art in which objects are represented in color on a flat surface; a colored representation of any object or scene; a picture.

4. (n.) Color laid on; paint.

5. (n.) A depicting by words; vivid representation in words.

PAINTING

pan'-ting.

See CRAFTS, II, 12.

4886. mashach -- to smear, anoint
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to smear, anoint NASB Word Usage anoint (21),
anointed (42), anointing (1), oil (1), painting (1), spread (4). ...
/hebrew/4886.htm - 6k

The Opinions of Hermogenes, by the Prescriptive Rule of Antiquity ...
... [6133] Moreover, he despises God's law in his painting, [6134] maintaining repeated
marriages ... [6134] Probably by painting idols (Rigalt.; and so Neander). ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter i the opinions of hermogenes.htm

The Names of the Gods and their Images are but of Recent Date.
... honours and functions, and described their forms." Representations of the gods,
again, were not in use at all, so long as statuary, and painting, and sculpture ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xvii the names of the.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... fields adjoining; the halls are surrounded with many pillars; and the walls gleam
with foreign stones, and there is no want of artistic painting; and the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

Reflection.
... While in the Museum of Art in one of our large cities last spring I saw an artist
reproducing on canvas a painting which hung upon the wall. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/reflection.htm

A Trained Ear.
... only."[34]. A gentleman was asked by an artist friend of some note to come
to his home, and see a painting just finished. He went ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a trained ear.htm

What True Philosophy Is, and Whence So Called.
... And it is just like geometry, which treats of measures and magnitudes and forms,
by delineation on plane-surfaces; and just as painting appears to take in the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vii what true philosophy is.htm

By the Wayside.
... I was at the Paris Exhibition in 1867, and I noticed there a little oil painting,
only about a foot square, and the face was the most hideous I have ever seen. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/by the wayside.htm

Now if the Doctor did That, Though it was Only from Humility...
... And indeed, one would have thought, that as soon as the doctor had discovered these
writers to be only great masters in moral painting, it should have had the ...
/.../address 75 0 0 now if the.htm

How God Honors Pious Princes, but Destroys Tyrants.
... Some have employed the vivid delineations and colors of painting [3059] ; some have
carved statues from lifeless blocks of wood; while others, by engraving ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter iii how god honors pious.htm

Extracts from the Acts. Session iv.
... Gregory Nyssen in which he describes a painting representing the sacrifice
of Isaac and tells how he could not pass it "without tears."] ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/extracts from the acts session 21.htm

Painting (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PAINTING. pan'-ting. See CRAFTS, II,
12. Multi-Version Concordance Painting (5 Occurrences). ...
/p/painting.htm - 9k

Paint (3 Occurrences)
... Jezebel "painted her face" (2 Kings 9:30); and the practice of painting the face
and the eyes seems to have been common (Jeremiah 4:30; Ezek. 23:40). ...
/p/paint.htm - 10k

Picture (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The art of painting; representation by
painting. 2. (n.) A representation of anything (as a person ...
/p/picture.htm - 10k

Brooch
... Formerly worn by men on the hat. 2. (n.) A painting all of one color, as a sepia
painting, or an India painting. 3. (imp. & pp) To adorn as with a brooch. Int. ...
/b/brooch.htm - 7k

Color (18 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To change or alter the hue or tint of, by dyeing, staining, painting,
etc.; to dye; to tinge; to paint; to stain. 10. (vt ...
/c/color.htm - 39k

Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... Metal-Working (Mining) 11. Oil-Making 12. Painting 13. Paper-Making 14. ... Some of the
pigments used for painting were made of powdered colored glass. ...
/c/crafts.htm - 30k

Impression (2 Occurrences)
... at a given time. 8. (n.) In painting, the first coat of color, as the priming
in house painting and the like. 9. (n.) A print on ...
/i/impression.htm - 8k

Miniature (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (v.) Originally, a painting in colors such as those in mediaeval manuscripts;
in modern times, any very small painting, especially a portrait. ...
/m/miniature.htm - 7k

Printed (2 Occurrences)
... The earliest use of printing seems to have been for painting the face or body with
ownership, tribal, trophy, or ceremonial marks for worship, war, mourning ...
/p/printed.htm - 13k

Print (3 Occurrences)
... The earliest use of printing seems to have been for painting the face or body with
ownership, tribal, trophy, or ceremonial marks for worship, war, mourning ...
/p/print.htm - 15k

What is a mime? Does the Bible say anything about miming? | GotQuestions.org

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Is it wrong to have pictures of Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Painting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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