The
Israelites Rise Against Moses
5th century, with
medieval and modern restorations
Mosaic
Santa
Maria Maggiore, Rome
These are two sequential episodes from Moses' story. In the upper
register, spies return from Canaan to report on its abundance (Numbers
13:26-29, cached).
In the lower register, when Moses decides to go forward with the
invasion of Canaan, the Israelites resist and try to stone him and his
lieutenants Caleb and Joshua. But as these three stand before the Ark,
God appears (viz. the hand above the aegis encircling the three
figures) and denounces the Israelites' perfidy (Numbers
14:2-11, cached).
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 Moses
More of Joshua
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke