A Warning to Modern-Day Pharaohs
by
Gary DeMar
Late on the afternoon of July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to “to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America.” To help them convey their vision for a seal, they asked Pierre Eugène Du Simitière to work with them. He had already designed the state seals of Delaware and Virginia. Here was Franklin’s proposal:
“Moses standing on the Shore, and extending his Hand over the Sea, thereby causing the same to overwhelm Pharaoh who is sitting in an open Chariot, a Crown on his Head and a Sword in his Hand. Rays from a Pillar of Fire in the Clouds reaching to Moses, to express that he acts by Command of the Deity.
“Motto, Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.”
Jefferson suggested a depiction of the children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. It took two more committees to decide on the design of an eagle with thirteen stars above its head representing the thirteen states. It was adopted as the official seal June 20, 1782.
The state motto of Virginia reflects something of Franklin and Jefferson’s desire for a motto with some teeth in it: Sic Semper Tyrannis—“Thus Always to Tyrants.”
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