Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, color holds significant symbolic and literal meanings, often used to convey spiritual truths, divine attributes, and human experiences. The use of color in Scripture is both descriptive and metaphorical, reflecting the richness of God's creation and His divine plan.
WhiteWhite is frequently associated with purity, holiness, and righteousness. In
Revelation 7:14, the saints are described as having "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," symbolizing their purification through Christ's sacrifice. White garments are often worn by heavenly beings, as seen in
Matthew 28:3, where the angel at the tomb has an appearance "like lightning, and his clothing white as snow."
RedRed is a color that often signifies blood, sacrifice, and atonement. In
Isaiah 1:18, the Lord declares, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." This passage highlights the transformative power of God's forgiveness. Red also appears in the context of war and judgment, as in
Revelation 6:4, where a red horse symbolizes conflict and bloodshed.
BlueBlue is associated with divinity, heavenly realms, and the commandments of God. In
Numbers 15:38-39, the Israelites are instructed to make tassels on the corners of their garments with a blue cord, serving as a reminder of God's commandments. The color blue is also used in the construction of the Tabernacle, as seen in
Exodus 26:1, where blue, purple, and scarlet yarns are used for the curtains.
PurplePurple is a color of royalty, wealth, and authority. In the ancient world, purple dye was costly and rare, making it a symbol of nobility. In
Judges 8:26, the Midianite kings' garments are described as purple, indicating their royal status. In the New Testament, Jesus is mockingly dressed in a purple robe by the Roman soldiers, as recorded in
Mark 15:17, highlighting the irony of His true kingship.
GreenGreen represents life, growth, and renewal. In
Psalm 23:2, the psalmist speaks of God leading him "beside quiet waters" and making him "lie down in green pastures," symbolizing peace and sustenance. Green is also used in prophetic imagery, as in
Revelation 9:4, where the locusts are commanded not to harm the grass or any green plant, indicating preservation amidst judgment.
BlackBlack often symbolizes mourning, suffering, and judgment. In
Lamentations 4:8, the appearance of the people is described as "blacker than soot," reflecting their dire circumstances and suffering. In
Revelation 6:5, a black horse represents famine, further emphasizing the association of black with hardship and deprivation.
ScarletScarlet is a vivid color that signifies wealth, luxury, and sin. In
Revelation 17:4, the woman clothed in purple and scarlet represents opulence and moral corruption. Scarlet is also used in the context of atonement, as in
Leviticus 14:4, where scarlet yarn is part of the ritual for cleansing a leper, symbolizing purification.
Symbolic Use of ColorColors in the Bible are not merely decorative but serve to communicate deeper spiritual truths. They are used in prophetic visions, priestly garments, and descriptions of heavenly realities, each color carrying its own significance and contributing to the rich tapestry of biblical symbolism. Through the use of color, Scripture reveals aspects of God's character, His covenant with humanity, and the spiritual journey of believers.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The subject of colours holds an important place in the Scriptures.
White occurs as the translation of various Hebrew words. It is applied to milk (Genesis 49:12), manna (Exodus 16:31), snow (Isaiah 1:18), horses (Zechariah 1:8), raiment (Ecclesiastes 9:8). Another Hebrew word so rendered is applied to marble (Esther 1:6), and a cognate word to the lily (Cant. 2:16). A different term, meaning "dazzling," is applied to the countenance (Cant. 5:10).
This colour was an emblem of purity and innocence (Mark 16:5;John 20:12;Revelation 19:8, 14), of joy (Ecclesiastes 9:8), and also of victory (Zechariah 6:3;Revelation 6:2). The hangings of the tabernacle court (Exodus 27:9;38:9), the coats, mitres, bonnets, and breeches of the priests (Exodus 39:27, 28), and the dress of the high priest on the day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:4, 32), were white.
Black, applied to the hair (Leviticus 13:31; Cant. 5:11), the complexion (Cant. 1:5), and to horses (Zechariah 6:2, 6). The word rendered "brown" inGenesis 30:32 (R.V., "black") means properly "scorched", i.e., the colour produced by the influence of the sun's rays. "Black" inJob 30:30 means dirty, blackened by sorrow and disease. The word is applied to a mourner's robes (Jeremiah 8:21;14:2), to a clouded sky (1 Kings 18:45), to night (Micah 3:6;Jeremiah 4:28), and to a brook rendered turbid by melted snow (Job 6:16). It is used as symbolical of evil inZechariah 6:2, 6 andRevelation 6:5. It was the emblem of mourning, affliction, calamity (Jeremiah 14:2;Lamentations 4:8;5:10).
Red, applied to blood (2 Kings 3;22), a heifer (Numbers 19:2), pottage of lentils (Genesis 25:30), a horse (Zechariah 1:8), wine (Proverbs 23:31), the complexion (Genesis 25:25; Cant. 5:10). This colour is symbolical of bloodshed (Zechariah 6:2;Revelation 6:4;12:3).
Purple, a colour obtained from the secretion of a species of shell-fish (the Murex trunculus) which was found in the Mediterranean, and particularly on the coasts of Phoenicia and Asia Minor. The colouring matter in each separate shell-fish amounted to only a single drop, and hence the great value of this dye. Robes of this colour were worn by kings (Judges 8:26) and high officers (Esther 8:15). They were also worn by the wealthy and luxurious (Jeremiah 10:9;Ezek. 27:7;Luke 16:19;Revelation 17:4). With this colour was associated the idea of royalty and majesty (Judges 8:26; Cant. 3:10;7:5;Dan. 5:7, 16, 29).
Blue. This colour was also procured from a species of shell-fish, the chelzon of the Hebrews, and the Helix ianthina of modern naturalists. The tint was emblematic of the sky, the deep dark hue of the Eastern sky. This colour was used in the same way as purple. The ribbon and fringe of the Hebrew dress were of this colour (Numbers 15:38). The loops of the curtains (Exodus 26:4), the lace of the high priest's breastplate, the robe of the ephod, and the lace on his mitre, were blue (Exodus 28:28, 31, 37).
Scarlet, or Crimson. In Isaiah 1:18 a Hebrew word is used which denotes the worm or grub whence this dye was procured. InGenesis 38:28,30, the word so rendered means "to shine," and expresses the brilliancy of the colour. The small parasitic insects from which this dye was obtained somewhat resembled the cochineal which is found in Eastern countries. It is called by naturalists Coccus ilics. The dye was procured from the female grub alone. The only natural object to which this colour is applied in Scripture is the lips, which are likened to a scarlet thread (Cant. 4:3). Scarlet robes were worn by the rich and luxurious (2 Samuel 1:24;Proverbs 31:21;Jeremiah 4:30.Revelation 17:4). It was also the hue of the warrior's dress (Nahum 2:3;Isaiah 9:5). The Phoenicians excelled in the art of dyeing this colour (2 Chronicles 2:7).
These four colours--white, purple, blue, and scarlet--were used in the textures of the tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26:1, 31, 36), and also in the high priest's ephod, girdle, and breastplate (Exodus 28:5, 6, 8, 15). Scarlet thread is mentioned in connection with the rites of cleansing the leper (Leviticus 14:4, 6, 51) and of burning the red heifer (Numbers 19:6). It was a crimson thread that Rahab was to bind on her window as a sign that she was to be saved alive (Joshua 2:18;6:25) when the city of Jericho was taken.
Vermilion, the red sulphuret of mercury, or cinnabar; a colour used for drawing the figures of idols on the walls of temples (Ezek. 23:14), or for decorating the walls and beams of houses (Jeremiah 22:14).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) See Color.
Greek
2847. kokkinos -- scarlet... scarlet, crimson. From kokkos (from the kernel-shape of the insect); crimson-colored --
scarlet (
colour, coloured). see GREEK kokkos. (kokkinen) -- 1 Occurrence
...4392. prophasis -- a pretense
... pretense, outward showing. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing,
ie Pretext -- cloke,colour, pretence, show. see GREEK pro. see GREEK phaino....
Strong's Hebrew
5869. ayin -- an eye... or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) -- affliction,
outward appearance, + before, + think best,
colour, conceit, + be content
...Library
The Next Morning Dawned with all the Strange Half Mystical Glow of...
... XXIV. The next morning dawned with all the strange half mystical glow
of light andcolour? The next morning dawned with all the...
Eighth Tractate. Why Distant Objects Appear Small.
... Or again, it may be that magnitude is known incidentally [as a deduction]
from the observation ofcolour. With an object at hand...
The Portrait of a Drunkyard
... wine.31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his
colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.32. At the...
"God Willeth to be Seen and to be Sought: to be Abided and to be...
... a part of His Passion: despite, spitting and sullying, and buffetting, and many
languoring pains, more than I can tell, and often changing ofcolour....
That the Divine Perfections are Only a Single but Infinite...
... Theotimus, the sun is not red, nor black, nor grey, nor green: that great luminary
is not subject to these vicissitudes and changes ofcolour, having for its...
Particulars of the Alleged Communication to a Montanist Sister.
... not, however, a void and empty illusion, but such as would offer itself to be even
grasped by the hand, soft and transparent and of an etherialcolour, and in...
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The Formation and...
... snail-shells; and these are described as in troops making the sea their
pasture-ground, as if under the guidance of some leader, conspicuous incolour and...
The Argument for Christian Practices Becomes all the Stronger...
... Either smell, you say, orcolour, or both together. What will be the senses
ofcolour and smell? Those of seeing and smelling, I suppose....
1 to Pray is as it were to be on Speaking Terms with Me...
... like Me. There is a kind of insect which feeds upon and lives among grass
and green leaves and becomes like them incolour. Also...
From the Twelfth Chapter.
... 3. "And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold a red dragon, having seven
heads."] Now, that he says that this dragon was of a redcolour"that is...
Thesaurus
Colour (22 Occurrences)... This
colour was an emblem of purity and innocence (Mark 16:5; John 20:12; Revelation
19:8, 14), of joy (Ecclesiastes 9:8), and also of victory (Zechariah 6:3
...Scarlet-colour (1 Occurrence)
Scarlet-colour. Scarlet-colored, Scarlet-colour. Scarletworm .
Multi-Version Concordance Scarlet-colour (1 Occurrence)....
Amber (3 Occurrences)
... whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and
a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as thecolour of amber...
Jacinth (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Properly a flower of a reddish blue or deep purple (hyacinth),
and hence a precious stone of thatcolour (Revelation 21:20)....
Eye (145 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews `ain, meaning "flowing"), applied (1) to a fountain,
frequently; (2) tocolour (Numbers 11:7; RV, "appearance, " marg....
Dress (38 Occurrences)
... The use of mixed material, as wool and flax, was forbidden (Leviticus
19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11). (2.)Colour. The prevailingcolour...
Brilliant (5 Occurrences)
... wind is coming from the north, a great cloud, and fire catching itself, and brightness
to it round about, and out of its midst as thecolour of copper, out of...
Bdellium (2 Occurrences)
... Occurs only in Genesis 2:12, where it designates a product of the land of Havilah;
and in Numbers 11:7, where the manna is likened to it incolour....
Beryl (12 Occurrences)
... Thecolour of the wheels in Ezekiel's vision was as thecolour of a beryl stone
(1:16; 10:9; RV, "stone of Tarshish"). It is mentioned in Cant. 5:14; Dan....
Chrysoprasus (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Golden leek, a precious stone of thecolour of leek's
juice, a greenish-goldencolour (Revelation 21:20). Noah Webster's Dictionary....
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