The Bible in education: Susanna, Tobias, Esther, Judith

Biblical examples... There is ample reason to group these four biblical stories together. For centuries they were popular stories used in education and moral instruction. In the fifteenth century Lucrezia Tornabuoni, Florentine noblewoman and mother of Lorenzo il Magnifico, used them to educate her children. In Amsterdam, in 1743, Gijsbert de Groot Keur published Historie van den ouden en den jongen Tobias. Apart from the story of Tobias (education), the book also contained the stories of Susanna (chastity), Esther (cleverness), and Judith (bravery).

     
The elders spy upon Susanna about to take a bath The two elders accuse Susanna of adultery Daniel interrogates the two elders Daniel proves Susanna's innocence
The elders spy upon Susanna about to take a bath   The two elders accuse Susanna of adultery   Daniel interrogates the two elders   Daniel proves Susanna's innocence

Susanna

Susanna, the beautiful, pious, and chaste wife of Joachim, is falsely accused of adultery by two elders who desired to sleep with her. Often depicted is the scene of the two elders, hidden in Susanna's garden, spying on her when she takes a bath. God rescues the desperate Susanna by way of Daniel who cleverly interrogates the two lying elders.

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Tobit is blinded by a swallow's dropping   Tobias leaves Tobit; Tobias travels with the angel Raphael   Tobias, travelling with the angel Raphael, catches a large fish   Tobias heals Tobit from blindness by putting the gall of the fish on his father's eyes
Tobit is blinded by a swallow's dropping   Tobias leaves Tobit; Tobias travels with the angel Raphael   Tobias, travelling with the angel Raphael, catches a large fish   Tobias heals Tobit from blindness by putting the gall of the fish on his father's eyes
     
     

Tobias

This curious story of wonder and adventure tells about God's love and providence. Tobit and Sara, both righteous and godfearing people, are nevertheless struck with misfortune. God sends his angel Raphael who, travelling with Tobit's son Tobias, brings the story to a happy ending.
More about the story of Tobit and Tobias on the Mnemosyne website.

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The feast of Ahasuerus: Queen Vashti gives a banquet for the women Haman causes Ahasuerus to issue a decree that all the Jews are to be put to death Esther before Ahasverus Esther asks Ahasuerus to revoke the decree against the Jews; the death of Haman
The feast of Ahasuerus: Queen Vashti gives a banquet for the women   Haman causes Ahasuerus to issue a decree that all the Jews are to be put to death   Esther before Ahasverus   Esther asks Ahasuerus to revoke the decree against the Jews; the death of Haman

Esther

The Jewish woman Esther became queen by marrying Ahasverus. Through her cunning she saved her people from the plotting Haman.

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Achior is tied to a tree near the city of Bethuliah   Holofernes beheaded by Judith with his own sword   Judith puts the head of Holofernes into a sack   Judith shows the head of Holofernes to the people of Bethuliah
Achior is tied to a tree near the city of Bethuliah   Holofernes beheaded by Judith with his own sword   Judith puts the head of Holofernes into a sack   Judith shows the head of Holofernes to the people of Bethuliah
     
     

Judith

When the Assyrian general Holofernes besieges the city of Bethulia, the brave and clever widow Judith rescues the city by entering the camp of the Assyrians, and beheading Holofernes.

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