ClipArt ETC

The Apocrypha ClipArt gallery includes 23 illustrations of stories from ancient books that are not considered a part of the Tanakh (Jewish canon), but were included in the Septuagint (Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures). Examples of apocryphal books include Tobit, Judith, and Maccabees.

"And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt in the hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up against Israel. And he went up to Jerusalem with a great multitude. And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all in pieces." 1 Maccabees 1:21-23 DRA <p>Illustration of Antiochus IV in the temple in Jerusalem. Engraving by William Colley Wrankmore.

Antiochus in the Temple

"And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt in the hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up…

Portrait of Antiochus IV from a large engraving of him looting the Jewish Temple. Engraving by William Colley Wrankmore.

Portrait of Antiochus

Portrait of Antiochus IV from a large engraving of him looting the Jewish Temple. Engraving by William…

"In the thirteenth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, the two and twentieth day of the first month, the word was given out in the house of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians, that he would revenge himself. And he called all the ancients, and all the governors, and his officers of war, and communicated to them the secret of his counsel: And he said that his thoughts were to bring all the earth under his empire. And when this saying pleased them all, Nabuchodonosor, the king, called Holofernes the general of his armies, And said to him: Go out against all the kingdoms of the west, and against them especially that despised my commandment. Thy eye shall not spare any kingdom, and all the strong cities thou shalt bring under my yoke. Then Holofernes called the captains and officers of the power of the Assyrians: and he mustered men for the expedition, as the king commanded him, a hundred and twenty thousand fighting men on foot, and twelve thousand archers, horsemen." Judith 2:2-7 DRA <p>Illustration of the vast armies of Nebuchadnezzar.

Army of King Nebuchadnezzar

"In the thirteenth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, the two and twentieth day of the first month,…

Baruch leads the exiles in Babylon to repent and send an offering to Jerusalem to fund Temple service.

Baruch Lifts His Hands in Prayer

Baruch leads the exiles in Babylon to repent and send an offering to Jerusalem to fund Temple service.

Horsemen riding into the gates of a Middle Eastern city. This illustration appears in the twelfth chapter of First Maccabees, but it is not clear what city it intends to illustrate.

City Gates and Horsemen

Horsemen riding into the gates of a Middle Eastern city. This illustration appears in the twelfth chapter…

"And Eleazar the son of Saura saw one of the beasts harnessed with the king's harness: and it was higher than the other beasts: and it seemed to him that the king was on it: And he exposed himself to deliver his people and to get himself an everlasting name. And he ran up to it boldly in the midst of the legion, killing on the right hand, and on the left, and they fell by him on this side and that side. And he went between the feet of the elephant, and put himself under it: and slew it, and it fell to the ground upon him, and he died there. Then they seeing the strength of the king and the fierceness of his army, turned away from them." 1 Maccabees 6:43-47 DRA <p>Eleazar attacks an elephant he assumes to be carrying the king. The elephant falls and kills Eleazar.

Eleazar Attacks the Elephant

"And Eleazar the son of Saura saw one of the beasts harnessed with the king's harness: and it was higher…

Illustration of the Maccabee warriors fighting alongside angelic warriors in a swirl of battle. The angels are pictured wielding swords of fire and riding horses. The horses of the angels and Maccabees trample the king's soldiers. One warrior wears a winged helmet and wields a spear. The king's army is fleeing into the background.

Five Angelic Warriors Fight for the Maccabees

Illustration of the Maccabee warriors fighting alongside angelic warriors in a swirl of battle. The…

Illustration of the youngest brother of the Holy Maccabees, one of seven Jewish brother who were martyred by the king. The boy stands with his mother, her right hand on his shoulder, his left arm raised. A soldier stands behind them in full armor, holding a spear. Antiochus sits on his throne, right arm propped on the armrest and holding his scepter. A low table holds a plate with a roasted pig head. A fork is stuck into the pork. A man in the background leans on a fasces.

The Holy Maccabean Martyrs - the Youngest Brother and His Mother Stand before Antiochus

Illustration of the youngest brother of the Holy Maccabees, one of seven Jewish brother who were martyred…

"And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night: but there fell a very great snow, and he came not into the country of Galaad. And when he approached to Bascama, he slew Jonathan and his sons there. And Tryphon returned, and went into his own country. And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan his brother, and buried them in Modin, in the city of his fathers. And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation: and they mourned for him many days. And Simon built over the sepulchre of his father and of his brethren, a building lofty to the sight, of polished stone behind and before: And he set up seven pyramids one against another for his father and his mother, and his four brethren: And round about these he set great pillars: and upon the pillars arms for a perpetual memory: and by the arms ships carved, which might be seen by all that sailed on the sea." 1 Maccabees 13:22-29 DRA <p>Procession carrying the remains of Jonathan into Modin.

Jonathan Mourned

"And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night: but there fell a very great snow, and he…

"And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month (which is the month of Casleu) in the hundred and forty-eighth year. And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of holocausts which they had made. According to the time, and according to the day wherein the heathens had defiled it, in the same was it dedicated anew with canticles, and harps, and lutes, and cymbals. And all the people fell upon their faces, and adored, and blessed up to heaven, him that had prospered them. And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation, and of praise." 1 Maccabees 5:52-56 DRA <p>Illustration of large crowd gathered to observe the rededication of the altar of holocausts.

Judas Machabeus Restores the Temple

"And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month (which is the month…

"And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection:" 2 Maccabees 12:43 <p>Illustration of Judas' soldiers carrying a box full of twelve thousand drachmas of silver. They are handing the box over to the priest at the temple at Jerusalem. The entrance to the temple is framed by two columns.

Judas Sends Twelve Thousand Drachmas of Silver to Jerusalem

"And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver,…

"And Apollonius gathered together the Gentiles, and a numerous and great army from Samaria, to make war against Israel. And Judas understood it, and went forth to meet him: and he overthrew him, and killed him: and many fell down slain, the rest fled away. And he took their spoils, and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and fought with it all his lifetime." 1 Maccabees 3:10-12 DRA <p>Illustration of Mathathias' son, Judas Machabeus, slaying Apollonius.

Judas Slays Apollonius

"And Apollonius gathered together the Gentiles, and a numerous and great army from Samaria, to make…

"And Judas said: Gird yourselves, and be valiant men, and be ready against the morning, that you may fight with these nations that are assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. For it is better for us to die in battle, than to see the evils of our nation, and of the holies: Nevertheless as it shall be the will of God in heaven so be it done." 1 Maccabees 3:58-60 DRA <p>Judas Machabeus rallies his troops for the coming battle against Gorgias.

Judas Speaks to His Army

"And Judas said: Gird yourselves, and be valiant men, and be ready against the morning, that you may…

"And when they came to the gate of the city, they found Ozias, and the ancients of the city waiting. And when they saw her they were astonished, and admired her beauty exceedingly. But they asked her no question, only they let her pass, saying: The God of our fathers give thee grace, and may he strengthen all the counsel of thy heart with his power, that Jerusalem may glory in thee, and thy name may be in the number of the holy and just. And they that were there said, all with one voice: So be it, so be it. But Judith praying to the Lord, passed through the gates, she and her maid." Judith 10:6-10 DRA <p>Judith adorns herself and passes through the city gates on her way to meet Holofernes, whom she beheads.

Judith Passes Through the City Gates

"And when they came to the gate of the city, they found Ozias, and the ancients of the city waiting.…

Judith, having just beheaded Holofernes, places his head in a bag with the help of her servant. She is holding a curved sword, or scimitar and is wrapped in robes that cover her head. Her servant is also clothed in voluminous robes. A shield and scabbard hang from the bedpost. Holofernes' body lies partially on the bed (left). Heavy curtains hang from the bed frame. A doorway in the background opens on to the city.

Judith Places the Head of Holofernes in a Bag

Judith, having just beheaded Holofernes, places his head in a bag with the help of her servant. She…

"But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk. And Judith spoke to her maid to stand without before the chamber, and to watch: And Judith stood before the bed praying with tears, and the motion of her lips in silence, Saying: Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayst raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee. And when she had said this, she went to the pillar that was at his bed's head, and loosed his sword that hung tied upon it. And when she had drawn it out, she took him by the hair of his head, and said: Strengthen me, O Lord God, at this hour." Judith 13:4-9 DRA <p>Having taken Holofernes' sword in hand, Judith stands by his bed before she beheads him. Her maid acts as lookout.

Judith Prepares to Behead Holofernes

"But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk. And Judith spoke to her maid to…

"And all these words pleased Holofernes, and his servants, and they admired her wisdom, and they said one to another: There is not such another woman upon earth in look, in beauty, and in sense of words." Judith 11:18-19 DRA <p>Judith speaks with Holofernes in his tent. He sits surrounded by his men. Judith is accompanied by her maid.

Judith Speaks with Holofernes

"And all these words pleased Holofernes, and his servants, and they admired her wisdom, and they said…

"And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it is given into the hands of the enemies? The holy places are come into the hands of strangers: her temple is become as a man without honour. The vessels of her glory are carried away captive: her old men are murdered in the streets, and her young men are fallen by the sword of the enemies. What nation hath not inherited her kingdom, and gotten of her spoils? All her ornaments are taken away. She that was free is made a slave. And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them. To what end then should we live any longer? And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation." 1 Maccabees 2:7-14 DRA <p>Mathathias and his family lament the destruction of Jerusalem.

Mathathias Laments the Defilement of Jerusalem

"And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of…

"And the angel said to them: Peace be to you, fear not. For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God: bless ye him, and sing praises to him. I seemed indeed to eat and to drink with you: but I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men. It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works. And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more." Tobit 12:17-21 DRA <p>After Raphael reveals himself as an angel, he departs back into heaven, leaving Tobit, Tobias, Anna, and Sarah.

Raphael Departs from Tobit and His Family

"And the angel said to them: Peace be to you, fear not. For when I was with you, I was there by the…

"Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father's eyes. And he stayed about half an hour: and a white skin began to come out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg. And Tobias took hold of it, and drew it from his eyes, and immediately he recovered his sight. And they glorified God, both he and his wife and all that knew them." Tobit 11:13-16 DRA <p>Following the instructions of the angel Raphael, Tobias applies the gall of a fish to his father's eyes and his sight is restored.

Tobias Anoints His Father's Eyes with the Gall of the Fish

"Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father's eyes. And he stayed about half an…

"And Tobias went forward, and the dog followed him, and he lodged the first night by the river of Tigris. And he went out to wash his feet, and behold a monstrous fish came up to devour him. And Tobias being afraid of him, cried out with a loud voice, saying: Sir, he cometh upon me. And the angel said to him: Take him by the gill, and draw him to thee. And when he had done so, he drew him out upon the land, and he began to pant before his feet. Then the angel said to him: Take out the entrails of the fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines." Tobit 6:1-5 DRA <p>Tobias is attacked by a monstrous fish. The angel protects him and instructs him to save parts of the fish to use as medicine.

Tobias Attacked by a Monstrous Fish

"And Tobias went forward, and the dog followed him, and he lodged the first night by the river of Tigris.…

"Then his father answered him, and said: I have a note of his hand with me, which when thou shalt shew him, he will presently pay it. But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire: that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live. Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk." Tobit 5:3-5 DRA <p>Tobias encounters the angel Raphael who appears as one of his kinsmen.

Tobias Meets the Angel

"Then his father answered him, and said: I have a note of his hand with me, which when thou shalt shew…

"Now it happened one day, that being wearied with burying, he came to his house, and cast himself down by the wall and slept, And as he was sleeping, hot dung out of a swallow's nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind." Tobit 2:10-11 DRA <p>Tobias sleeps by a wall after he has exhausted himself with gathering the dead for a proper burial.

Tobias Sleeps by a Wall

"Now it happened one day, that being wearied with burying, he came to his house, and cast himself down…