Additional Information:
1. The wound on the leg of the figure in the
doorway may be related to the story of Balaam: "And the ass seeing him [the
angel], thrust herself close to the wall, and bruised the foot of the rider. "
(Numbers 22:25).
2. The collar worn by the second magus represents the Queen of Sheba presenting gifts to Solomon:
3Kings 10, 1-2:
And the queen of Sheba, having heard of the fame of Solomon in the
name of the Lord, came to try him with hard questions.
And entering into Jerusalem with a great train, and riches, and
camels that carried spices, and an immense quantity of gold, and
precious stones, she came to King Solomon, and spoke to him
all that she had in her heart. |
The
lower band of the collar apparently represents the sacrifice of the Paschal lamb
and the story of Passover(Exodus 12). The inclusion of this scene
reiterates the Eucharist imagery of the altarpiece, and also calls attention to
the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.
John 10: 1-10: Amen, amen I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he hath let out his own sheep, he goeth before them: and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, becaue they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke to them. 7 Jesus therefore said to them again: Amen, amen I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not. 9 I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved: and he shall go in, and go out, and shall find pastures. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.
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4. Under the gift of the older Magi are frogs being squashed. On the sash hanging between the legs of the half naked figure are images of frogs. On the arch of the doorway above Joseph is a carved up-side-down frog.
Book of Revelations, 16 13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
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