A series of articles describing the meaning and teachings behind the stained glass windows at St. John’s:

The Clerestory windows (lecturn side) PRAEPARATIO EVANGELICA: The Preparation for the Gospel, 12 Sons of Israel (Part 2)

Last month the first of 12 Sons of Israel. This month the other six sons. The imagery for these windows are drawn from Genesis 49 when Jacob (Israel) blesses his 12 sons.

NOTE: “Clerestory” are the higher section of walls on either side of the sanctuary above the pews. These 12 are to the left as you walk into the sanctuary from the rear.

From back to front, the 7th-12th windows:

DAN: (דָּן‎‎) While Rachel was still barren, Dan (literally “he judged”) was the first of two sons born to Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, who is given to Israel by Rachel because she has been unable to bear him a child (Genesis 35:22). The symbol of a desert snake is a reminder that while Dan’s tribe may be small, they will inflict great harm.

GAD: (גָּד)‎‎‎‎ Gad was, according to Genesis, the first of two sons born to Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid. He is Jacob’s seventh son overall (Genesis 30:9-11). Israel’s death-bed confession foretells how the tribe of Gad would be known for being great warriors. There are some rabbinical sources which say Joseph did not present Gad to the Pharaoh because he did not want Gad to be one of Pharaoh’s guards.

ASHER: (אָשֵׁר‎‎‎) Asher is the second of Israel’s sons born to Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, provided after Leah had evidently stopped bearing children. (Genesis 30:12-13). The blessing provided Asher foretells how the land provided to his tribe in the far north of the land of Canaan will be extremely fruitful and provide food even for nobility.

NAPHTALI: (נַפְתָּלִי‎) Naphtali, according to Genesis 30:13 is the sixth son born to Jacob and the second of his two sons born to Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid. His name (literally “my struggle”) refers to the struggle between Rachel and Leah for the preference of their husband. The tribe of Naphtali was famous for having provided warriors, and very quickly, hence the swift “doe” that Israel mentions in his deathbed blessing.

JOSEPH: (יוֹסֵף‎‎‎‎) Finally Rachel is given a son, Joseph, the 11th of 12 sons (Genesis 30:22-24). His name means “may he add” and sounds very much like the word for “taken away.” His name reflects Rachel’s ongoing hope that God would provide Israel a son through Rachel and not just through her handmaiden. Jacob’s deathbed blessing (Genesis 49:22-26) is a recognition of how the Lord used Joseph to provide essentials for life (food and water) for all of Jacob’s extensive family.

BENJAMIN: (בִּנְיָמִן‎‎) As Jacob was relocating his family to Bethel, Rachel died in childbirth. When the midwife let her know that she was having son, Rachel chose the name “Ben-Oni” or “son of my sorrow.” His father, however, finally chose the name Benjamin, “son of my right hand,” indicating his place of honor in the household, even though he was the youngest (Genesis 35:16-21). The image of the wolf brings to mind those heroes from the tribe of Benjamin, most especially King Saul, and their ability to be triumphant in warfare.

Next month: The 12 Disciples are often cited as being the “new Israel,” so the next two installments will move to the opposite side of the sanctuary for one half of the windows dedicated to these disciples.