About…
white in the Bible

White is often a symbol of purity (2 Chronicles 5:12; Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18; Rev. 3:18; 7:14),

Our Lord, at his transfiguration, appeared in garments “white as light” (Matthew 17:2, etc.).

“White” occurs as the translation of three diffrent Hebrew words.

• לָבָן —transliteration: laban

  This word appears in the following verses.

  —white milk (Genesis 49:12)

  —white manna (Exodus 16:31)

  —white snow (Isaiah 1:18)

  —white horses (Zechariah 1:8; 6:3; 6:6; Revelation 6:2; 19:11, 14)

  —white clothing (Eccl. 9:8)

• The Hebrew word חוּר chuwr (chur) is translated as white in Esther 1:6, referring to hangings of fine white linen.

• A different term (צַח — tsach), meaning “dazzling,” is applied to a lover’s countenance (Song of Songs 5:10).

White was an emblem of…

• purity and innocence (Mark 16:5; John 20:12; Rev. 19:14)
• joy (Eccl. 9:8)
• victory (Rev. 6:2; Zechariah 6:3-5)

White at the Holy Tabernacle

• Hangings for the court of the Holy Tabernacle (Exodus 27:9; 38:9)
• Priestly coats, mitres, bonnets, and breeches (Exodus 39:27-28)
• High Priest’s clothing on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:4, 32)

More information

• Colors in the Bible
• Learn about spiritual light
• What is holiness, and why are we to pursue it?
• purification