OpenAI recently released DALL·E 2, an AI that takes written text and turns it into an image. A project I’ve been working on takes stories from Genesis and Luke, feeds them to the AI, and creates images out of the text. For example:
![An oil painting of a giant whale swallowing a city. In the style of Hieronymus Bosch. An oil painting of a giant whale swallowing a city. In the style of Hieronymus Bosch.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/sign-jonah-1.jpg)
See all 828 AI-generated Bible images in this project. Below is a selection of my favorites, followed by a longer description of my methodology. Hover over any of the images to see the prompt that generated it.
![Noah the patriarch planting a vineyard of grapes and dancing in it while drunk. Oil painting. Noah the patriarch planting a vineyard of grapes and dancing in it while drunk. Oil painting.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/noah-getting-drunk-his-vineyard-2.jpg)
![A family tree made of glass, with the different colors representing different family members. The tree is spreading across the globe. Inspired by Dale Chihuly A family tree made of glass, with the different colors representing different family members. The tree is spreading across the globe. Inspired by Dale Chihuly](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/descendants-noah-2.jpg)
![Melchizedek the king of Salem presenting bread and wine to the patriarch Abraham. Pointilistic drawing in the style of Seurat. Melchizedek the king of Salem presenting bread and wine to the patriarch Abraham. Pointilistic drawing in the style of Seurat.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/melchizedek-presents-bread-wine-2.jpg)
![A meteoric fireball exploding above an ancient city. Oil painting in the style of Hieronymus Bosch. A meteoric fireball exploding above an ancient city. Oil painting in the style of Hieronymus Bosch.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/destruction-sodom-gomorrah-3.jpg)
![A painting in the style of Gustav Klimt depicting twins infants, a dark-haired Jacob and red-haird Esau, wrestling in the womb. A painting in the style of Gustav Klimt depicting twins infants, a dark-haired Jacob and red-haird Esau, wrestling in the womb.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/jacob-esau-wrestle-womb-1.jpg)
![A tiny sculpture of Rachel and Leah fighting over a handful of mandrakes, with the sculpture itself being made out of mandrakes. In the style of British sculptor Henry Moore. A tiny sculpture of Rachel and Leah fighting over a handful of mandrakes, with the sculpture itself being made out of mandrakes. In the style of British sculptor Henry Moore.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/rachel-leah-arguing-over-1.jpg)
![Pointilist drawing of Jacob and the Lambs. This drawing depicts a shepherd and his flock of dark and spotted sheep and goats. The colors are warm and soothing, with speckles throughout echoing the speckles on the animals. Pointilist drawing of Jacob and the Lambs. This drawing depicts a shepherd and his flock of dark and spotted sheep and goats. The colors are warm and soothing, with speckles throughout echoing the speckles on the animals.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/jacob-spotted-lambs-4.jpg)
![A sculpture of two stone heaps with a figures of two men, Jacob and Laban, leaning on them in the background, carved in basalt by Michelangelo. A sculpture of two stone heaps with a figures of two men, Jacob and Laban, leaning on them in the background, carved in basalt by Michelangelo.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/jacob-laban-build-stone-pillars-2.jpg)
![A painting with of a family tree in various colors representing different tribes. In the style of Mark Rothko. A painting with of a family tree in various colors representing different tribes. In the style of Mark Rothko.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/descendants-esau-4.jpg)
![A hand holding colorful rags in the foreground, while in the distance a caravan of camels recedes into the hills. The background has muted colors, while the foreground is dark and vibrant. A hand holding colorful rags in the foreground, while in the distance a caravan of camels recedes into the hills. The background has muted colors, while the foreground is dark and vibrant.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/josephs-brothers-sell-him-1.jpg)
![A group of hungry ancient Egyptians waiting in line for food. Oil painting in the style of Edward Hopper. A group of hungry ancient Egyptians waiting in line for food. Oil painting in the style of Edward Hopper.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/people-come-egypt-food-3.jpg)
![A closeup of an ornate, empty silver cup lying in a burlap sack filled with grain, with a shocked face of a bearded man appearing in a reflection on its surface.. A closeup of an ornate, empty silver cup lying in a burlap sack filled with grain, with a shocked face of a bearded man appearing in a reflection on its surface..](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/silver-cup-1.jpg)
![Ancient Egyptian people running in panic from many frogs. In the style of a 1990s Saturday morning cartoon. Ancient Egyptian people running in panic from many frogs. In the style of a 1990s Saturday morning cartoon.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/plague-frogs-1.jpg)
![A woman wearing makeup leaping through an open window onto a balcony with three men behind her. In the style of a 1990s newspaper comic strip. A woman wearing makeup leaping through an open window onto a balcony with three men behind her. In the style of a 1990s newspaper comic strip.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/death-jezebel-3.jpg)
![A 16-bit videogame rendering of the Mary, Joseph, and and baby Jesus in the manger. A 16-bit videogame rendering of the Mary, Joseph, and and baby Jesus in the manger.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/birth-christ-7.jpg)
!["The Root of All Evil" by Damien Hirst: A conceptual work consisting of a large axe suspended in a glass case, representing the destructive power of sin. "The Root of All Evil" by Damien Hirst: A conceptual work consisting of a large axe suspended in a glass case, representing the destructive power of sin.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/ax-is-root-tree-1.jpg)
![An angry crowd pursues Jesus to a desert cliff, while he walks calmly away from them. An illustration in the style of Beatrix Potter. An angry crowd pursues Jesus to a desert cliff, while he walks calmly away from them. An illustration in the style of Beatrix Potter.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/people-nazareth-pursue-jesus-3.jpg)
![A scene from the perspective of a fish looking up at an ancient fishing boat with fishermen throwing a net. In the distance on the shore is Jesus. 3D render in Unreal Engine. A scene from the perspective of a fish looking up at an ancient fishing boat with fishermen throwing a net. In the distance on the shore is Jesus. 3D render in Unreal Engine.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/jesus-calls-his-first-disciples-2.jpg)
![A closeup photo a plank of wood with an eyeball symbol burned into it. Macro lens (Sigma 105mm F2.8). A closeup photo a plank of wood with an eyeball symbol burned into it. Macro lens (Sigma 105mm F2.8).](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/first-take-plank-out-your-eye-3.jpg)
![A sculpture of a human head, with the mouth open and spilling out a waterfall of words. The words are made up of heavy metal type, weighing down the head. Think playful and witty, like a work by Jeff Koons. A sculpture of a human head, with the mouth open and spilling out a waterfall of words. The words are made up of heavy metal type, weighing down the head. Think playful and witty, like a work by Jeff Koons.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/mouth-speaks-what-heart-is-full-1.jpg)
![A lifesize house made out of sand with waves about to reach it with a man just visible inside it. Photo taken with a telephoto lens. A lifesize house made out of sand with waves about to reach it with a man just visible inside it. Photo taken with a telephoto lens.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/house-built-sand-4.jpg)
![An overturned, upside-down clay bowl on a table with light peeking from it. The light under the bowl is the only source of light. Photo in a dark room with a wide-angle lens. An overturned, upside-down clay bowl on a table with light peeking from it. The light under the bowl is the only source of light. Photo in a dark room with a wide-angle lens.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/lamp-stand-2.jpg)
![Jesus Calms the Storm in a large fishing boat with his disciples looking on. Digital painting by Expressionist artist Wassily Kandinsky Jesus Calms the Storm in a large fishing boat with his disciples looking on. Digital painting by Expressionist artist Wassily Kandinsky](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/jesus-calms-storm-7.jpg)
![A sculptural installation in the style of contemporary artist Anish Kapoor, inspired by the glowing light and bright colors of the transfiguration of Jesus on a hilltop. A sculptural installation in the style of contemporary artist Anish Kapoor, inspired by the glowing light and bright colors of the transfiguration of Jesus on a hilltop.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/transfiguration-2.jpg)
![A detailed pastel drawing of a fox or bird, with looking over their shoulder at the viewer. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for how humans often forget about or ignore those who are struggling, even though they are right in front of us. A detailed pastel drawing of a fox or bird, with looking over their shoulder at the viewer. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for how humans often forget about or ignore those who are struggling, even though they are right in front of us.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/foxes-have-dens-birds-have-nests-1.jpg)
![A painting of a field with a mechanical plow in the foreground and a worker sitting on it. The painting is meant to capture the beauty of the field and the hard work that goes into harvest. In the style of French painter Claude Monet. A painting of a field with a mechanical plow in the foreground and a worker sitting on it. The painting is meant to capture the beauty of the field and the hard work that goes into harvest. In the style of French painter Claude Monet.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/harvest-is-plentiful-but-workers-12.jpg)
![A portrait of a young boy holding a fish in one hand and a snake in the other, with a look of confusion or disappointment on his face. Done in a naïve or folk art style, in the cheerful colors of artist Grandma Moses. A portrait of a young boy holding a fish in one hand and a snake in the other, with a look of confusion or disappointment on his face. Done in a naïve or folk art style, in the cheerful colors of artist Grandma Moses.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/which-you-fathers-if-your-son-3.jpg)
![A sculpture of an eye, with a lightbulb in the center, symbolizing the idea that our eyes are the lamps of our bodies. In the style of Chinese artist Zhang Huan. A sculpture of an eye, with a lightbulb in the center, symbolizing the idea that our eyes are the lamps of our bodies. In the style of Chinese artist Zhang Huan.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/eye-is-lamp-body-1.jpg)
![A female defendant speaking to a courtroom with a flame above her head symbolizing the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the style of a courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg. A female defendant speaking to a courtroom with a flame above her head symbolizing the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the style of a courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/do-not-worry-about-how-you-will-3.jpg)
![A memorial by Maya Lin for the 18 people who suffered when the Tower of Siloam fell in ancient Jerusalem. A memorial by Maya Lin for the 18 people who suffered when the Tower of Siloam fell in ancient Jerusalem.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/fall-tower-siloam-1.jpg)
![A mustard tree with birds in its branches carved into an actual mustard seed. Extreme closeup, macro lens photo. A mustard tree with birds in its branches carved into an actual mustard seed. Extreme closeup, macro lens photo.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/parable-mustard-seed-2.jpg)
![Jean-Michel Basquiat, "He Who Has Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear" – A vibrant and textured painting of an ear with patterns and symbols inspired by African and Caribbean cultures. Jean-Michel Basquiat, "He Who Has Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear" – A vibrant and textured painting of an ear with patterns and symbols inspired by African and Caribbean cultures.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/whoever-has-ears-hear-let-them-4.jpg)
![A sculpture of a sheep made out of scrap metal and found objects. The sheep is covered in rust and looks like it is about to fall apart. Inspired by Pablo Picasso. A sculpture of a sheep made out of scrap metal and found objects. The sheep is covered in rust and looks like it is about to fall apart. Inspired by Pablo Picasso.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/parable-lost-sheep-4.jpg)
![A work of pop art in which money is portrayed as a god-like figure, demanding attention and worship. In the style of Takashi Murakami. A work of pop art in which money is portrayed as a god-like figure, demanding attention and worship. In the style of Takashi Murakami.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/no-one-can-serve-two-masters-3.jpg)
!["Tree" by Alma Thomas: A painting of a tree with colorful and expressionistic leaves planted in the ocean. "Tree" by Alma Thomas: A painting of a tree with colorful and expressionistic leaves planted in the ocean.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/be-uprooted-planted-sea-2.jpg)
![Tilt-shift photo of a camel in the eye of a needle. Extreme close-up, macro 200mm lens. Tilt-shift photo of a camel in the eye of a needle. Extreme close-up, macro 200mm lens.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/camel-through-eye-needle-2.jpg)
!["Jesus Cleansing the Temple", 2013 cubist painting. Orozco's painting depicts the event as a clash of colors, with Jesus' red robe in bright contrast to the blue robes of the money changers. "Jesus Cleansing the Temple", 2013 cubist painting. Orozco's painting depicts the event as a clash of colors, with Jesus' red robe in bright contrast to the blue robes of the money changers.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/jesus-drives-out-moneychangers-2.jpg)
![All Are Alive, 2016, Korean finger painting. A painting of brightly colored flowers and animals, showing that everything is alive. All Are Alive, 2016, Korean finger painting. A painting of brightly colored flowers and animals, showing that everything is alive.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/god-is-not-god-dead-but-living-6.jpg)
![The Poor Widow's Mite, Georgia O'Keeffe, 1918. Watercolor. O'Keeffe's watercolor depicts the story of the widow's offering in a unique and beautiful way. The woman's face is hidden in shadow, and the coins in her hand are shining and rose-colored. The Poor Widow's Mite, Georgia O'Keeffe, 1918. Watercolor. O'Keeffe's watercolor depicts the story of the widow's offering in a unique and beautiful way. The woman's face is hidden in shadow, and the coins in her hand are shining and rose-colored.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/widows-offering-2.jpg)
!["The 30 Pieces of Silver" by Gustav Klimt, 1908. Oil and silver on canvas. A dark and atmospheric print showing Judas counting out the pieces of silver. He is surrounded by darkness, and the silver coins gleam in the light. "The 30 Pieces of Silver" by Gustav Klimt, 1908. Oil and silver on canvas. A dark and atmospheric print showing Judas counting out the pieces of silver. He is surrounded by darkness, and the silver coins gleam in the light.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/judas-agrees-betray-jesus-4.jpg)
!["Gethsemane," 1903, painting by Arnold Böcklin. A dark and atmospheric work, depicting Jesus surrounded by ominous, twisted trees. The sense of foreboding is palpable, and the viewer feels as if they are witnessing a private moment of prayer and anguish. "Gethsemane," 1903, painting by Arnold Böcklin. A dark and atmospheric work, depicting Jesus surrounded by ominous, twisted trees. The sense of foreboding is palpable, and the viewer feels as if they are witnessing a private moment of prayer and anguish.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/garden-gethsemane-7.jpg)
![A colorful abstract painting inspired by stained glass windows, depicting Mary and her family in geometric shapes as they visit Jesus. Modernist painting in the style of Carlos Cruz-Diez. A colorful abstract painting inspired by stained glass windows, depicting Mary and her family in geometric shapes as they visit Jesus. Modernist painting in the style of Carlos Cruz-Diez.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/jesus-crucifixion-1.jpg)
![The Road to Emmaus, 2021, oil on canvas. A modern take on the classic biblical story, featuring three men walking along a dusty road, deep in conversation. The sun sets in the background, casting a warm, orange glow on the scene. The Road to Emmaus, 2021, oil on canvas. A modern take on the classic biblical story, featuring three men walking along a dusty road, deep in conversation. The sun sets in the background, casting a warm, orange glow on the scene.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/road-emmaus-2.jpg)
!["Fire from Heaven" - An abstract painting with bold red and orange tones, reminiscent of fire, to represent fire coming down from heaven and Jesus' rebuke of two of his disciples. At the bottom is a peaceful ancient city in contrasting cool colors. In the style of Clyfford Stil. "Fire from Heaven" - An abstract painting with bold red and orange tones, reminiscent of fire, to represent fire coming down from heaven and Jesus' rebuke of two of his disciples. At the bottom is a peaceful ancient city in contrasting cool colors. In the style of Clyfford Stil.](https://a.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/1024/opening-abyss-1.jpg)
Background
DALL·E 2 is a text-to-image generator that takes a text prompt (“Realistic oil painting of a cat”) and generates a set of four images that it thinks matches that prompt. DALL·E doesn’t render human faces well, and sometimes it goes completely off-track in its suggestions, but its quality often astonished me.
OpenAI has another AI, GPT-3, that I used to generate many of the ideas for DALL·E prompts. I wanted to explore DALL·E using a wide variety of styles and artists, and I have limitations and biases when it comes to my knowledge of art history. GPT-3 cast a wider net of styles and artists than I would’ve come up with on my own (although GPT-3 loves Rembrandt and Banksy and mentioned them in many completions). Each GPT-3 completion costs around half a cent, and each text prompt to DALL·E generated an average of 1.3 usable images, bringing the all-in cost per image to around $0.12, or around $99 total for this project. (I generated most of these images during DALL·E’s free preview, however.)
The GPT-3 prompts I used evolved over time, but this one is emblematic:
Suggest 5 unique concept ideas for a work of visual art inspired by Luke 14:7-11 (do not pick the place of honor) in the Bible. Include art direction and a specific medium and artist to emulate. Include artists from a variety of eras, styles, and media. Try for an unusual perspective. Title, year, medium. Description.
And here’s what GPT-3 suggests:
- “Turning the Tables,” a sculptural installation in which upside-down tables are suspended from the ceiling, representing how Jesus turned the power dynamic upside-down when he said that the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Inspired by Mexican artist Diego Rivera.
- “Remember the Poor,” a series of paintings or drawings depicting the poor and needy from around the world, as a reminder that Jesus said we should always remember the poor. Inspired by the work of 19th century French painter Jean-Francois Millet.
- “The Banquet,” a painting or series of paintings depicting a large banquet table spread with food, similar to the one described in the story of the great banquet in Luke 14, to emphasize the importance of hospitality. Inspired by Dutch painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
- “The Place of Honor,” a painting or sculpture that shows a solitary figure in the place of honor at a banquet table, to represent how Jesus said that the one who takes the place of honor will be the last. Inspired by Chinese painter Zhang Daqian.
- “The Outcast,” a painting or sculpture of a figure who is excluded from the banquet, to represent how Jesus said that those who are last will be first. Inspired by Nigerian-born British artist Yinka Shonibare.
I thought #1 was especially interesting as a concept, though I couldn’t persuade DALL·E to produce something good with it. Diego Rivera, further, is a painter rather than a sculptor, so the suggestion wouldn’t work as-is. These ideas often served as a starting place for the prompt I ultimately entered into DALL·E.
I appreciate the irony that I, as a human, am the least-creative part of this whole process; I’m largely copy-pasting content between AIs and then selecting the best output while the AI does most of the lateral thinking.