Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Symbolism:The color gray in the Bible often symbolizes age, wisdom, and dignity. It is frequently associated with the elderly, reflecting a life lived with experience and understanding. Gray hair, in particular, is seen as a crown of glory, representing the honor and respect due to those who have lived righteously.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 16:31 · "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness."
This verse highlights the honor and respect associated with gray hair, suggesting that it is a reward for a life lived in accordance with God's will. It implies that aging is not merely a physical process but a spiritual journey that brings one closer to divine wisdom.
2.
Proverbs 20:29 · "The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old."
Here, the contrast between youth and old age is drawn, with strength being the pride of the young and gray hair the splendor of the elderly. This suggests a balance in the stages of life, where each has its own unique value and contribution to the community.
3.
Isaiah 46:4 · "Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your gray hairs I will carry you. I have made you, and I will bear you; I will sustain you and deliver you."
This passage reassures believers of God's unwavering support and care throughout their lives, including into old age. The mention of gray hairs emphasizes God's faithfulness and the continued value of individuals as they age.
Cultural Context:In ancient Israelite society, elders were often revered for their wisdom and experience. Gray hair was a visible sign of this status, and the elderly were expected to be treated with respect and honor. This cultural norm is reflected in the biblical texts, where gray hair is consistently associated with dignity and reverence.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the emphasis on gray hair as a symbol of righteousness and wisdom underscores the biblical value placed on a life lived in accordance with God's commandments. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual journey and the growth in understanding that comes with age. The Bible encourages believers to respect and learn from those who have walked the path of faith longer, recognizing the divine wisdom that can be gained through years of experience.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to honor and respect the elderly, recognizing the value of their life experiences and the wisdom they can impart. This respect is not only a cultural expectation but a biblical mandate, reflecting the broader principle of valuing each stage of life and the unique contributions each person can make to the community of faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) White mixed with black, as the color of pepper and salt, or of ashes, or of hair whitened by age; sometimes, a dark mixed color; as, the soft gray eye of a dove.
2. (superl.) Gray-haired; gray-headed; of a gray color; hoary.
3. (superl.) Old; mature; as, gray experience. Ames.
4. (n.) A gray color; any mixture of white and black; also, a neutral or whitish tint.
5. (n.) An animal or thing of gray color, as a horse, a badger, or a kind of salmon.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GRAYgra.
SeeCOLORS;HOARY.
Greek
1127. gregoreo -- to be awake, to watch... to be awake, to watch. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gregoreo Phonetic Spelling:
(
gray-gor-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I am awake, am vigilant, watch
...Strong's Hebrew
6713. tsachar -- reddish-gray, tawny... 6712, 6713. tsachar. 6714 . reddish-
gray, tawny. Transliteration: tsachar
Phonetic Spelling: (tsakh'-ar) Short Definition: white.
...7872. sebah -- hoary head, old age
... Word Origin from sib Definition hoary head, old age NASB Word Usagegray (1),gray
hair (7),gray hairs (1),gray head (1),gray-haired (1), grayheaded (1...
7867. sib -- to be hoary
... to be hoary. Transliteration: sib Phonetic Spelling: (seeb) Short Definition:gray....
root Definition to be hoary NASB Word Usagegray (1),gray-haired (1)....
3486. yashesh -- aged, decrepit
... stoop for age. From an unused root meaning to blanch;gray-haired, ie An aged man --
stoop for age. 3485, 3486. yashesh. 3487 . Strong's Numbers.
6080. aphar -- to throw dust
... cast dust. : a primitive root: meaning either to begray or perhaps rather to pulverize;
used only as denominative from aphar, to be dust -- cast (dust)....
6083. aphar -- dry earth, dust
... From aphar; dust (as powdered orgray); hence, clay, earth, mud -- ashes, dust,
earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. see HEBREW aphar. 6082, 6083....
Library
The Life of Mr. AndrewGray.
... The Life of Mr. ANDREWGRAY. Mr. AndrewGray (by the calculation of his
age and the date of his entry into the ministry) seems to...
M.Gray. Supplication.
... I. PUBLIC WORSHIP. 15. 7s. M.Gray. Supplication. 1 Suppliant, lo! Thy children
bend, Father, for Thy blessing now; Thou canst teach...
Chapter eight
... He had sent up his name, Mr.Gray. Maxwell stepped to the head of the stairs and
askedGray to come up. SoGray came up and stated the reason for his call....
Letter G
... Received 1833 * Graves, John "Received 1834 * Graves, Peyton S. "Received 1822,
Expelled 1828 * Graves, WC "Received 1834 *Gray, David "Received 1820...
Chapter fourteen
... the city.Gray had continued his meetings during the week, and the results
had been even greater than he had dared to hope. When...
The Bethlehem Fog.
... Agray chilling shadow of the sort ofgray that a stormy sky sometimes shows,gray
tingeing into slaty black. Yet it was the coming that made the shadow....
The Moody Colportage Library
... RA Torrey 120 Satan and the Saint. James M.Gray 123 Salvation from Start to Finish.
Gray 125 Life in a Look.... JMGray 128 Papers on The Lord's Coming....
I Will Take one Case that Will Serve Both as Symbol and Example...
... We hear the realists (those sentimental fellows) talking about thegray
streets and thegray lives of the poor. But whatever the...
The True Source of Strong Service.
... The waters of the Arve come through a clayey soil and are muddy,gray, and dull....
Then gradually they blend and thegray begins to tinge all through the blue....
Chapter twelve
... Virginia looked around again. "Where does Mr.Gray live?" she asked. She
knew that the evangelist boarded somewhere near the tent....
Thesaurus
Gray (16 Occurrences)... White mixed with black, as the color of pepper and salt, or of ashes, or of hair
whitened by age; sometimes, a dark mixed color; as, the soft
gray eye of a dove
...Gray-haired (4 Occurrences)
Gray-haired.Gray,Gray-haired. Grayheaded . Multi-Version
ConcordanceGray-haired (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:25...
Gray-headed (4 Occurrences)
Gray-headed. Grayheaded,Gray-headed. Graying . Multi-Version
ConcordanceGray-headed (4 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 12:2...
Hairs (21 Occurrences)
... If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my
gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Sheol (64 Occurrences)
... If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down
mygray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)....
Grave (128 Occurrences)
... down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall
him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down mygray hairs with...
Aged (63 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:32 "'You shall rise up before thegray head, and honor the face of
an old man, and you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh. (See NAS NIV)....
Zimri (16 Occurrences)
... a house of ill-repute." The difficulty is that the word only occurs here in the
Old Testament, but it has that meaning in New Heb (seeGray, Numbers, 385); BDB...
Grizzled (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (a.)Gray; grayish; sprinkled or mixed withgray; of
a mixed white and black. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GRISLED; GRIZZLED....
Grayheaded (4 Occurrences)
... Grayheaded (4 Occurrences). Leviticus 19:32 "'You shall rise up before thegray
head, and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God....
Resources
What does the Bible say about gray hair? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about dyeing hair? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about ageism? | GotQuestions.orgGray: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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