Religious, Insects, Animals, Israelites, Bees

Original copper engraving from Johann Jakob Scheuchzer's celebrated Physica Sacra ("Copper Bible"), published in 1731.

The engraving illustrates Deuteronomy 1:44, depicting the biblical account in which the Israelites were pursued and driven back by the Amorites "as bees do." The dramatic scene is accompanied by Latin and German captions:

"Israelitae ut Apes fumigatae."
"Deut. Cap. I. V. 44."

"Die Israeliten wie Bienen gejagt."
"V. Buch Mosis Cap. I. v. 44."

Translated, the title refers to the Israelites being pursued "like bees," a reference to the Old Testament account in which they were chased from the hill country after an unsuccessful military campaign.

Engraved after an anonymous artist and published in Scheuchzer's monumental Physica Sacra, one of the most important illustrated Bibles of the eighteenth century. First issued between 1731 and 1735, the work sought to relate biblical history to the natural sciences and is renowned for its richly detailed copperplate engravings.

Condition: Good condition with a strong, well-preserved impression. Light natural age browning along the margins. Clean image area with excellent detail and contrast.

Image size: 29 x 20 cm (11.4 x 7.8 inches), including the engraved title section.

A fine eighteenth-century biblical engraving from one of the landmark illustrated works of the Enlightenment era, appealing to collectors of religious art, antique prints, biblical imagery, and early scientific illustration.