Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Symbolism and MeaningIn the Bible, the color white is often associated with purity, holiness, and righteousness. It is frequently used to describe the garments of heavenly beings and the appearance of divine figures. White symbolizes the absence of sin and the presence of God's glory and majesty.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, white is used to describe the purity and holiness of various objects and garments. For example, in the construction of the Tabernacle, the curtains were made of fine twisted linen, which was white (
Exodus 26:1). This use of white linen signified the purity and sanctity of the place where God would dwell among His people.
The prophet Daniel describes a vision of the Ancient of Days, whose clothing was "white as snow" (
Daniel 7:9). This imagery emphasizes the purity and eternal nature of God.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, white continues to symbolize purity and divine presence. During the Transfiguration, Jesus' clothes became "radiantly white" (
Mark 9:3), signifying His divine nature and the glory of God revealed through Him.
The Book of Revelation frequently uses the color white to describe heavenly realities. The twenty-four elders around the throne of God are clothed in white garments (
Revelation 4:4), representing their righteousness and purity. The great multitude standing before the throne is also described as wearing white robes, having washed them in the blood of the Lamb (
Revelation 7:9, 14). This imagery highlights the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice and the purity granted to believers through His atonement.
White as a Symbol of VictoryWhite is also a symbol of victory and triumph in the Bible. In Revelation, Jesus is depicted as riding a white horse, symbolizing His ultimate victory over evil (
Revelation 19:11). The white horse represents the purity and righteousness of Christ's judgment and His triumphant return.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, white was often associated with purity and cleanliness. This cultural understanding is reflected in the biblical use of white as a symbol of holiness and divine presence. The use of white garments for priests and in religious ceremonies further underscores its association with purity and sanctity.
ConclusionThroughout Scripture, the color white serves as a powerful symbol of purity, holiness, and victory. It is used to describe the divine nature of God, the righteousness of His people, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. The consistent use of white in biblical imagery reinforces its significance as a representation of God's perfect and holy nature.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A symbol of purity (
2 Chronicles 5:12;
Psalm 51:7;
Isaiah 1:18;
Revelation 3:18;
7:14). Our Lord, at his transfiguration, appeared in raiment "white as the light" (
Matthew 17:2, etc.).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Reflecting to the eye all the rays of the spectrum combined; not tinted with any of the proper colors or their mixtures; having the color of pure snow; snowy; -- the opposite of black or dark; as, white paper; a white skin.
2. (superl.) Destitute of color, as in the cheeks, or of the tinge of blood color; pale; pallid; as, white with fear.
3. (superl.) Having the color of purity; free from spot or blemish, or from guilt or pollution; innocent; pure.
4. (superl.) Gray, as from age; having silvery hair; hoary.
5. (superl.) Characterized by freedom from that which disturbs, and the like; fortunate; happy; favorable.
6. (superl.) Regarded with especial favor; favorite; darling.
7. (n.) The color of pure snow; one of the natural colors of bodies, yet not strictly a color, but a composition of all colors; the opposite of black; whiteness. See the Note under Color, n., 1.
8. (n.) Something having the color of snow; something white, or nearly so; as, the white of the eye.
9. (n.) Specifically, the central part of the butt in archery, which was formerly painted white; the center of a mark at which a missile is shot.
10. (n.) A person with a white skin; a member of the white, or Caucasian, races of men.
11. (n.) A white pigment; as, Venice white.
12. (n.) Any one of numerous species of butterflies belonging to Pieris, and allied genera in which the color is usually white. See Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage.
13. (v. t.) To make white; to whiten; to whitewash; to bleach.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HORSE, WHITE(hippos leukos): Symbolic of victory, conquest ("bow. conquering and to conquer,"Revelation 6:2;Revelation 19:11, 14; compareZechariah 1:8;Zechariah 6:3, 1).
SeeREVELATION OF JOHN.
WHITE
hwit.
SeeCOLORS.
WHITE HORSE
SeeHORSE, WHITE.
Greek
3022. leukos -- bright,white... bright,
white. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: leukos Phonetic Spelling:
(lyoo-kos') Short Definition:
white, bright Definition:
white, bright
...3021. leukaino -- to whiten, to makewhite
... to whiten, to makewhite. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: leukaino Phonetic
Spelling: (lyoo-kah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I whiten Definition: I whiten...
2986. lampros -- bright
... Word Origin from lampo Definition bright NASB Word Usage bright (3), clear (1),
fine (2), gorgeous (1), shining (1), splendid (1). bright, clear,white....
1039. bussinos -- fine linen
... Rev 19:14: "And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in (1039 ),white
and clean, were following Him onwhite horses" (). Word...
5247. huperoche -- a projection, eminence
... is "primarily, 'a projection, eminence,' as a mountain peak, hence, metaphorically,
'pre-eminence, superiority, excellency' " (Vine, Unger,White, , 46)....
1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
... as with 1510 (1511 , 2258 ). 1096 () means "to , and signifies " (Vine,
Unger,White, , 109). M. Vincent, "1096 () means implying...
373. anapauo -- to give rest, give intermission from labor, by...
... 373 (from 303 , ", completing a ," which intensifies 3973 , "pause") -- properly,
to give (experience) ; to (rest) "" (Vine/Unger,White, )....
3670. homologeo -- to speak the same, to agree
... endorse). [3670 ("confess") means to , ie "assent, agree with, confess,
declare, admit" (Vine, Unger,White, , 120).]. Word Origin...
1491. eidos -- appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
... descended upon Him in like a dove"; b) , in Lk 9:29: "And while He was praying,
the of His face became different, and His clothing becamewhite and gleaming...
1823. exastrapto -- to flash or gleam like lightning, be radiant
... glistening. From ek and astrapto; to lighten forth, ie (figuratively) to be radiant
(of verywhite garments) -- glistening. see GREEK ek. see GREEK astrapto....
Strong's Hebrew
3836. laban --white... 3835b, 3836. laban. 3837 .
white. Transliteration: laban Phonetic Spelling:
(law-bawn') Short Definition:
white. Word Origin from
...2358. chivvar --white
... 2357, 2358. chivvar. 2359 .white. Transliteration: chivvar Phonetic
Spelling: (khiv-vawr') Short Definition:white. Word Origin...
2353. chur --white stuff
...white stuff. Transliteration: chur Phonetic Spelling: (khoor) Short Definition:
white. Word Origin from chavar Definitionwhite stuff NASB Word Usagewhite (2)....
2751. chori --white (bread)
... 2750, 2751. chori. 2752 .white (bread). Transliteration: chori Phonetic
Spelling: (kho-ree') Short Definition: bread....white bread....
3835a. laben -- to bewhite
... 3835, 3835a. laben. 3835b . to bewhite. Transliteration: laben Short
Definition:white. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to...
2360a. choray --white stuff
... choray. 2360b .white stuff. Transliteration: choray Short Definition: cloth.
Word Origin from chavar Definitionwhite stuff NASB Word Usagewhite cloth (1)....
3835. laban -- to bewhite
... 3834, 3835. laban. 3835a . to bewhite. Transliteration: laban Phonetic Spelling:
(law-ban') Short Definition: brick. make brick, be made, make whiter...
906. bad --white linen
... 905, 906. bad. 907 .white linen. Transliteration: bad Phonetic Spelling:
(bad) Short Definition: linen. Word Origin of uncertain...
2357. chavar -- to be or growwhite or pale
... 2356, 2357. chavar. 2358 . to be or growwhite or pale. Transliteration: chavar
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-var') Short Definition: pale. Word Origin a prim....
2360. Chuwray --white stuff
... 2359, 2360. Chuwray. 2360a .white stuff. Transliteration: Chuwray Phonetic
Spelling: (khoo-rah'ee) Short Definition: Hurai. Hurai...
Library
White
...White.White, Henry Kirke, a gifted English poet who died early in life,
was born in Nottingham, England, March 21, 1785. Very early...
All that isWhite
... FOR THE CHILDREN ALL THAT ISWHITE. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899.... And bring His
love to mind. Allwhite on the thymy hillside. Lambs by their mothers play;...
The GarmentsWhite as the Light.
... Book XII. 38. The GarmentsWhite as the Light. And not only is He transfigured
before such disciples, nor does He only add to the...
TheWhite Island
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First XC THEWHITE ISLAND. R. Herrick. In this
world, (the Isle of Dreams),. While we sit by sorrow's streams,....
The Hidden Manna and theWhite Stone
... XXXIX THE HIDDEN MANNA AND THEWHITE STONE.... But on thiswhite stone, the message
says, there is a name written which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it....
My Beloved isWhite and Ruddy, the Chiefest among Ten Thousand.
... My beloved iswhite and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. My Well-beloved,
replies the Spouse, iswhite by His purity, innocence and simplicity....
CMHKWhite. In a Storm.
... SUPPLEMENT. 573. CMHKWhite. In a Storm. 1 The Lord our God is full of might,
The winds obey His will; He speaks, and in His heavenly...
September the ThirtiethWhite Robes in the Streets
... SEPTEMBER The ThirtiethWHITE ROBES IN THE STREETS. JOHN xvii.11-28. The
man who has been fed with the "bread of life" must remain...
Emancipation --Black andWhite.
... II. EMANCIPATION"BLACK ANDWHITE.... Thewhite man may wash his hands of it, and
the Caucasian conscience be void of reproach for evermore....
The Washing Away of Sins is Indicated by theWhite Robes of the...
... The Book Concerning the Mysteries. Chapter VII. The washing away of sins
is indicated by thewhite robes of the catechumens? The...
Thesaurus
White (756 Occurrences)... 14). Our Lord, at his transfiguration, appeared in raiment "
white as the
light" (Matthew 17:2, etc.). Noah Webster's Dictionary.
...White-reddish (4 Occurrences)
White-reddish. Whiter,White-reddish. Whitewash . Multi-Version
ConcordanceWhite-reddish (4 Occurrences). Leviticus...
Reddish-white (4 Occurrences)
Reddish-white. Reddish, Reddish-white. Redeem . Multi-Version
Concordance Reddish-white (4 Occurrences). Leviticus 13...
White-hot (1 Occurrence)
White-hot.White-haired,White-hot. Whiten . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.)White with heat; heated to whiteness, or incandescence....
White-haired (2 Occurrences)
White-haired. Whited,White-haired.White-hot . Multi-Version
ConcordanceWhite-haired (2 Occurrences). Leviticus 19...
Snow-white (1 Occurrence)
Snow-white. Snow-waters, Snow-white. Snowy . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.)White as snow; verywhite. Multi-Version Concordance...
White-washed (1 Occurrence)
White-washed. Whitewashed,White-washed. Whither . Multi-Version
ConcordanceWhite-washed (1 Occurrence). Acts 23:3...
Diseased (39 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:3 and the priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body:
and if the hair in the plague has turnedwhite, and the appearance of the...
Poplar (4 Occurrences)
... Hebrews libneh, "white", (Genesis 30:37; Hosea 4:13), in all probability the storax
tree (Styrax officinalis) orwhite poplar, distinguished by itswhite...
Appears (38 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:3 And the priest shall look upon the plague in the skin of the flesh;
and if the hair in the plague be turnedwhite, and the appearance of the...
Resources
Who was Ellen G. White? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about white lies? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is God going to give us a white stone with a new name? | GotQuestions.orgWhite: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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