Jacob Flees
to Laban
5th century, with
medieval and modern restorations
Mosaic
Nave,
Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
See Genesis
29:1-14 (cached).
Upper register: Rachel (in the red dress) announces to her father Laban
(far left) the arrival of her cousin Jacob. Lower register: Laban
embraces Jacob (left of center) and leads him to his house (right of
center). Presumably the woman to the right of Laban in the upper image
and to the far left in the lower image is Leah, the only other woman
mentioned in the story. The men on the right in the upper image are the
shepherds whom Jacob first questioned about Laban upon his arrival in
Mesopotamia.
This
is part of the
extensive series of Old Testament scenes portrayed in mosaics along the
two walls of the nave. Click here for
links to several of the others.
More of Jacob
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke