The Dura-Europos Synagogue: Jewish Sacred Art

Here at NLM we have often shown images and art from the early Christian period, but I thought it might be interesting to show you some images from what is said to be one of the oldest surviving synagogues; the Dura-Europos Synagogue. It is located in Syria and is dated to A.D. 244. It was discovered in the 1930's during excavations and was found remarkably well preserved, buried as it was -- much like the ruins of Pompeii.

What will no doubt be of particular interest to NLM readers, however, are the scenes and figures from the Old Testament found upon the walls -- scenes which include the Sacrifice of Isaac, Moses receiving the tablets of the Law, Moses and the Exodus, the visions of Exekiel, etc. Here are just a few examples:

Scene from the Book of Esther

Samuel anoints David

Abraham

A Torah shrine is found on the western wall, oriented toward Jerusalem.

To see more:

EIKON Image Database for Biblical Studies