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colors in the Bible
also known as: colours —spelled “colour” in the King James Bible
The subject of colors holds an important place in the Scriptures. 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.
Red
- blood (2 Kings 3:22)
This color is symbolical of bloodshed (Zechariah 6:2; Rev. 6:4; 12:3).
- wine (Proverbs 23:31)
- red heifer without spot or blemish (Numbers 19:2)
- pottage of lentils (Genesis 25:30)
- red horses (• vision of “a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white” —Zechariah 1:8 NKJV • “With the first chariot were red horses…” —Zechariah 6:2 • “Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth…” —Revelation 6:4 NKJV)
- “…breastplates of fiery red…” —Revelation 9:17
- the complexion (Esau born red —Genesis 25:25 / “My beloved is dazzling and ruddy…” —Song of Songs 5:10 NASB)
- Red Sea
Scarlet or Crimson
Scarlet robes were worn by the rich and luxurious (2 Samuel 1:24; Proverbs 31:21; Jeremiah 4:30; Rev. 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 crimson dyeing (2 Chronicles 2:7). 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.
In Isaiah 1:18, a Hebrew word is used which denotes the worm or grub from which this dye was procured.
“…Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.” —Isaiah 1:18 NKJV
The only natural object to which this color is applied in Scripture is the lips, which are likened to a scarlet thread (Song of Songs 4:3).
In Genesis 38:28-30, the word translated as “scarlet” means “to shine,” and expresses the brilliancy of the color.
The “Great Harlot” of the Great Tribulation is dressed in scarlet and purple (circumdata purpura et coccino) and rides a scarlet beast (besteam coccineam) (Revelation 17:1-6).
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Vermilion
a brick red; compared to scarlet, this color is slightly more orange
Vermilion was used for drawing the figures of idols on the walls of heathen temples (Ezek. 23:14), and for decorating the walls and beams of houses (Jeremiah 22:14).
color source: ground cinnabar (bright red mineral consisting of mercury sulfide)
Purple
Purple is a color 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 coloring matter in each separate shell-fish amounted to only a single drop, and hence the great value of this dye.
Robes of this color 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; Rev. 17:4).
Purple was associated the idea of royalty and majesty (Judges 8:26; Song of Songs 3:10; 7:5; Dan. 5:7, 16, 29).
Blue
This color was emblematic of the sky, the deep dark hue of the Eastern sky. This color was used in the same way as purple.
The ribbon and fringe of the Hebrew dress were of this color (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).
This color was procured from a species of shellfish, the chelzon of the Hebrews, and the Helix ianthina of modern naturalists.
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White
“White” occurs in Scripture as the translation of various Hebrew words.
- milk (Genesis 49:12)
- manna (Exodus 16:31)
- snow (Isaiah 1:18)
- horses (Zechariah 1:8)
- garments (Eccl. 9:8)
- Another Hebrew word translated “white” is applies to marble (Esther 1:6), and a cognate word to the lily (Song of Songs 2:16).
- A different term, meaning “dazzling,” is applied to the countenance (Song of Songs 5:10).
White was an emblem of purity and innocence (Mark 16:5; John 20:12; Rev. 19:8, 14), of joy (Eccl. 9:8), and also of victory (Zechariah 6:3; Rev. 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.
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Black
- hair (Leviticus 13:31; Song of Songs 5:11)
- complexion (Song of Songs 1:5)
- horses (Zechariah 6:2, 6)
- mourner’s robes (Jeremiah 8:21; 14:2)
- a dark clouded sky (1 Kings 18:45)
- night (Micah 3:6; Jeremiah 4:28)
- raven (Song of Solomon 5:11)
- a brook rendered turbid by melted snow (Job 6:16)
- It is used as symbolical of evil in Zechariah 6:2, 6 and Rev. 6:5.
- In Job 30:30, “black” means dirty, blackened by sorrow and disease.
Black was the emblem of mourning, affliction, and calamity (Jeremiah 14:2; Lam. 4:8; 5:10).
The word translated “brown” in Genesis 30:32 (Revised King James Version, “black”) means properly “scorched,” i.e., the color produced by the influence of the sun’s rays.
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More information
- dye
- paint
- dress/clothing
- precious stones
- spices
- high priest
- fuller
Gospel for kids- ETHNIC SKIN COLOR — How did different human skin colors come about? Answer
- About rainbows in the Bible
- Why is the sky blue, sunsets red, and clouds white? Answer