The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple

This drawing was engraved by Matthijs Pool (1676-1740) for the Historie des Ouden en Nieuwen Testaments, also known as the 'Great Bible', which was published in two volumes by Pieter Mortier (1661-1711) in Amsterdam in 1700. The two volumes, describing the Old and New Testament, were illustrated with 428 engravings after drawings by artists such as Picart, Jan Luyken (1649-1712), Gerard Hoet I (1648-1733) and Jan Goeree (1670-1731). The subject is taken from the biblical episode described in 2 Maccabees (3:21-28). Seleucus IV Philopator, King of Syria, ordered his legate Heliodorus to seize the treasure preserved in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The high priest Onias, who can be seen in the background on the balcony with his arms raised, prayed for salvation. God answered his prayers by sending a horseman who drove Heliodorus out of the temple.

We are grateful to Nelke Bartelings for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.