Topical Encyclopedia
The term "reddish" in the context of the Bible often refers to the color red or shades thereof, which hold significant symbolic meaning throughout the Scriptures. The color red is frequently associated with blood, sacrifice, sin, and atonement, as well as with certain physical descriptions and natural phenomena.
Symbolism of Red in the Bible1.
Blood and Sacrifice: The color red is prominently linked to blood, which is central to the sacrificial system established in the Old Testament. In
Leviticus 17:11 , it is stated, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." The reddish hue of blood symbolizes life and the sacrificial atonement necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
2.
Sin and Atonement: Red is also used to symbolize sin and its consequences. In
Isaiah 1:18 , the Lord invites His people to reason with Him, saying, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Here, the deep red color of scarlet and crimson represents the severity of sin, while the promise of cleansing signifies redemption and forgiveness.
3.
Judgment and Wrath: The color red can also denote judgment and divine wrath. In
Revelation 6:4 , the second horseman of the apocalypse rides a fiery red horse, symbolizing war and bloodshed: "Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take peace from the earth, so that men would slay one another. And he was given a great sword."
Physical Descriptions and Natural Phenomena1.
Esau and Edom: The reddish appearance is notably used in the description of Esau, the brother of Jacob. In
Genesis 25:25 , Esau is described at birth: "The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau." The name "Edom," which is derived from the Hebrew word for red, was later associated with Esau and his descendants, highlighting the significance of his appearance.
2.
Natural Elements: The Bible occasionally references reddish elements in nature. For example, in
Numbers 19:2 , the ordinance of the red heifer is given: "This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without blemish or defect, and which has never been under a yoke." The red heifer was used in purification rituals, symbolizing purity and cleansing.
ConclusionThe color reddish, as seen in various contexts within the Bible, carries deep symbolic meanings that are integral to understanding the themes of sacrifice, sin, judgment, and redemption. Through its use in descriptions of people, sacrificial practices, and prophetic visions, the color red serves as a vivid reminder of the spiritual truths conveyed throughout the Scriptures.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Somewhat red; moderately red.
Greek
4210. porphurous -- purple... Cognate: 4210 -- a purple (
reddish-purple) cloth or dye. See 4209 (). (Jn
19:5) It was customary in ancient times for a to dress in .
...Strong's Hebrew
125. adamdam --reddish... 124, 125. adamdam. 126 .
reddish. Transliteration: adamdam Phonetic Spelling:
(ad-am-dawm') Short Definition:
reddish-white. Word
...6713. tsachar --reddish-gray, tawny
... 6712, 6713. tsachar. 6714 .reddish-gray, tawny. Transliteration: tsachar
Phonetic Spelling: (tsakh'-ar) Short Definition: white....
132. admoni -- red, ruddy
... red, ruddy. Or (fully) admowniy {ad-mo-nee'}; from 'adam;reddish (of the hair or
the complexion) -- red, ruddy. see HEBREW 'adam. 131, 132. admoni. 133 ....
Library
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Lebanon, which divide the country down the centre, are composed of the same kind
of calcareous rocks and sandstone, while the same sort ofreddish clay has...
The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... than the child Mary. Mary is very delicately formed, and hasreddish-fair
hair, smooth, but curly at the ends. She can already read...
A Brief Character of Mr John Bunyan
... though not corpulent, somewhat of a ruddy face, with sparkling eyes, wearing his
hair on his upper lip, after the old British fashion; his hairreddish, but in...
From Apostolic Teaching Tertullian Turns to that of Companions of...
... Then the priest, if, upon entering, he had found greenish orreddish cavities, and
their appearance to the sight deeper down within the body of the party-wall...
On Eating.
... beetroot that grows among the Ascr??ans: they seek out the cockles of Methymna, the
turbots of Attica, and the thrushes of Daphnis, and thereddish-brown dried...
Chapter xxi
... of the ominous red pottage (Genesis 25:30); 3 because, as travellers have remarked,
the soil and the mountains of Edom also have a peculiarreddish tinge in...
The Deceitful Arts and Nefarious Practices of Marcus.
... 2815] to consecrate cups mixed with wine, and protracting to great length the word
of invocation, he contrives to give them a purple andreddish colour, so...
Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
... in determining leprosy, lays great stress on a white orreddish-white depression
of the skin, the hairs in which are turned white or yellow, and since it also...
Type of those Born under Leo.
... Those born in Leo are of the following description: round head,reddish hair, huge
wrinkled forehead, coarse ears, large development of neck, partly bald, red...
Type of those Born under Cancer.
... Those born in Cancer are of the following description: size not large, hair like
a dog, of areddish colour, small mouth, round head, pointed forehead, grey...
Thesaurus
Reddish (6 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Somewhat red; moderately red. Multi-Version
Concordance
Reddish (6 Occurrences). Leviticus 13:19 and
...Reddish-white (4 Occurrences)
Reddish-white.Reddish,Reddish-white. Redeem . Multi-Version
ConcordanceReddish-white (4 Occurrences). Leviticus 13...
White-reddish (4 Occurrences)
White-reddish. Whiter, White-reddish. Whitewash . Multi-Version
Concordance White-reddish (4 Occurrences). Leviticus...
Rust (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Thereddish yellow coating formed on iron when exposed to moist air, consisting
of ferric oxide or hydroxide; hence, by extension, any metallic film of...
Appears (38 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:19 and in the place of the boil there is a white rising, or a bright
spot,reddish-white, then it shall be shown to the priest; (See NIV)....
Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A cutaneous disease which first appears as blebs
or asreddish, shining, slightly prominent spots, with spreading edges....
Leper (34 Occurrences)
... The occurrence of certain greenish orreddish stains in the substance of woolen
or linen fabrics or in articles made of leather is described in Leviticus 13:47...
Spot (42 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:19 and in the place of the boil there is a white rising, or a bright
spot,reddish-white, then it shall be shown to the priest; (WEB KJV JPS ASV...
Sore (156 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Reddish brown; sorrel. 2. (n.) A young hawk or
falcon in the first year. 3. (n.) A young buck in the fourth year....
Lentils (4 Occurrences)
... Samuel 17:28; 2 Samuel 23:11; Ezekiel 4:9; the King James Version Lentiles): These
are undoubtedly identical with the Arabic `adas, a small,reddish bean, the...
Resources
Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a red heifer in the Bible? Is a red heifer a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWho/what is Edom (Obadiah 1:1, 8)? | GotQuestions.orgReddish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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