The Reception of the Figure of David in Late Antique Synagogue Art

Depictions of David in Late Antique synagogue art interpret him as a pre-eminent figure of Israel’s past. As triumphant over Goliath, he exemplifies the superiority o f the small Israel over the wealthier surrounding peoples. As the one playing on a lyre, he illustrates his role in establishing formal aspects of Jewish worship, interpreting the synagogue as a kind of continuation of the Temple liturgy. Finally, the Dura murals highlight, on the one hand, David’s virtues and offer in his figure a moral example for the members of the community; on the other hand, his divinely ordered rule compared with several pagan authorities’ benevolent attitude towards Jews consists of a message of consolation and encouragement in turbulent times.