The Period of the Patriarchs
Carousel of images for this Bible Exhibit
The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus’ baptism is depicted in the 19th-century painting. John the Baptist is wearing traditional robes made of camel hair, pouring water over Jesus, who stands before him. The dove from heaven has descended on Jesus, representing the Holy Spirit's presence.
The Spirit Descending on Jesus
This painting from 1895 shows John the Baptist pouring water over Jesus, whose head is illuminated, representing his divine nature. The Holy Spirit, represented by the dove, is descending on Jesus.
The Baptism of Christ
This Renaissance painting from 1591 imagines the scene at the Jordan River where John the Baptizer is pouring water over Jesus as the dove descends from God the Father, pictured in the clouds.
The Baptism of Christ
This Baroque period painting from 1622-1623 imagines the scene of John pouring water over Jesus while the Spirit descends in the form of a dove.
The Baptism of Christ
This 19th-century painting depicts God’s light shining down on Jesus as he rises up out of the water.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan
The baptism site known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” ruins on the eastern side of the Jordan River across from Jericho. This location has been preserved as the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
The Baptism Site of Jesus
This is a side view of Jesus’ baptism site, known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan,” on the eastern side of the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
The Modern Jordan River
This picture is of the modern Jordan River near the traditional baptismal site. In Jesus' day, the river would have been significantly wider with a greater water flow.
A Monument Marking Jesus’ Baptism
A cross marking the area of Jesus' baptism site overlooking the Jordan River.
St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
This is one of several churches or chapels rebuilt in this area, marking Jesus’ baptism.
Listen to this Bible Exhibit
The Patriarchs or “Fathers” is the period of about 360 years when the biblical forefathers of the nation of Israel lived. Because the term patriarch refers to the male head of a family, tribe, or clan, it can broadly be used of almost everyone in Genesis. However, it is usually used in a much narrower sense centering on Abraham, his son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob Exodus 2:24-25. Sometimes Joseph and even his eleven brothers, who make up the twelve tribes of Israel, are included as well Acts 7:8–10. Through this family came the ancestors of the nation of Israel Romans 9:5.
The patriarchs were wealthy nomads who moved across the Fertile Crescent from Ur to Canaan. They did not own any land besides the land Abraham purchased as the burial site for his wife, Sarah, at Hebron Genesis 23:1-20. Abraham descended from Noah’s son Shem and originally lived in Ur Genesis 11:10-32. Because of the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to possess the land, they settled in the land of Canaan Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:7, Deuteronomy 1:8. After traversing the land from north to south, Abraham settled in the southern regions where Isaac and Jacob would later live. Jacob also spent approximately 20 years in Haran in Mesopotamia and a short time in the central areas of Canaan Genesis 33:17-20, Genesis 34:1-31. Toward the end of his life, Jacob and his family settled in Egypt to escape a severe famine in God’s sovereign plan for the nation.
The Bible speaks of the personal relationship that each of the patriarchs had with God, ultimately referring to the Lord as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Exodus 3:15–16, Deuteronomy 1:8, Psalm 105:9-10. It is the period of the patriarchs when God begins to unfold his grand plan of redemption. This plan would climax with the coming of Christ, fulfilling God’s covenantal promise to Abraham that all the nations of the world would be blessed through him.
This Bible Exhibit is one of the several hundred found on the Bible Compass within the Bible Ventures app
