Have you ever wondered what the meaning of colors in the Bible are? The first time I saw a reference to the meaning of colors in the Bible, it was referring to the woman anointing Jesus with extremely expensive ointment. The most common color associated with this event is some version of yellow, but depending on who you are reading and when they were writing, it may be another color entirely. In fact, that same passage is referred to in several different ways even within the same translation of the Bible. For example, one version refers to it as “pure” and others say “virgin” oil. This difference based on translation of colors has caused some confusion about the whole meaning of colors in their original form.
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The Meaning Colors In The Bible
What do these colors in the bible mean? These are all common questions that are frequently asked. People want to know what the color of a piece of clothing represents. They want to know what a certain color means when it is mentioned in the bible. Many times I have been asked why a rainbow is mentioned in the King James version of the bible. Understanding the meaning of colors can be times but it does come with a lot of good information.
Primary Colors
Red: Red is the color of blood. In the New Testament, Jesus’s sacrifice, often employing the imagery of blood (e.g., John 6:55). In the Old Testament, oudem is translated “red clay.” Oudem is the root word indicating mankind. Thus, red represents humanity. But, on a larger scale, red represents the love of God represented in and through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. *Red is an official church color representing the Church itself. Red cloths are used during special festivals celebrating saints, Holy Week, and Pentecost.
Yellow/Gold: Yellow is represented by two Hebrew words: charuts, referring to gold alloyed with silver or of sick skin (Ps. 68:13); and tsahob, referring to the color of hair or a patch of skin indicating leprosy (Lev. 13:30). Gold was a precious metal valued for its beauty and workability. The temple was arrayed in gold, so it is no surprise that the New Jerusalem is described as being made of gold (Rev. 21:18, 21). Yellow and gold are also the color of fire. Fire represents the presence of God (Dt. 4:24; Heb. 12:29) and God’s refining process. Therefore, yellow represents the joy, the presence of God, and God’s anointing, whereas gold represents God’s holiness, divine nature, and his majesty. *Gold/yellow cloth is sometimes used in the place of white to celebrate the holiest days of the year (i.e., Easter and Christmas).
Blue: Blue is obviously the color of the sky, so the color holds some connection with the heavens. The Hebrew term for “blue” is tekelet which is sometimes translated as “purple” (Eze. 23:6) or “violet” (Jer. 10:9). Blue dyes were inferior to royal purple, but still a very popular dye and quite expensive. Blue was used on the clothing of the priests and aligned the hem of the priests’ garments (Ex. 28:5-6, 8, 15).[3] Blue was used in the tabernacle (Ex. 25:4; 26:1, 4) and in the temple (2 Chr. 2:7, 14). Blue indicates heaven, the Holy Spirit, and truth. Lighter shades of blue are sometimes used to represent the Virgin Mary. *Blue cloths are often used to represent the season of Advent, although purple is the official color.
White: White is used often to depict purity, holiness, and the redemption of sin. For the forgiven, sin is said to be washed as white as snow (Ps. 51:7; Isa. 1:18). White also represents the absolute purity of God (Dan. 7:9), of Christ (Rev. 2:17), of God’s judgment (Rev. 20:11), as well as God complete victory over the powers of evil (Zech. 6:3, 6; Rev. 6:2; 19:11). *White is an official color of the church. White clothes are used for holy days on and surrounding the Easter season, Christmas season, and other special occasions.
Black: Black symbolizes evil, gloom, judgment, and death (Lam. 4:8; Mic. 3:6; Zech. 6:2, 6; Rev. 6:5, 12). Hell is described as a place of “the blackest of darkness” (Jude 13; 2 Pet. 2:17).
Green: The color green is usually associated with vegetation. As such, green represents life. Cedars were popular especially in Lebanon and were valued as building material.[4] Cedars played some role in the purification rites of Israel (Lev. 14:4; Num. 19:6). Cedars represented power and wealth (1 Kgs. 10:27), growth and strength (Ps. 92:12; Eze. 17). Green is associated with the evergreen that does not lose its foliage. Thus, green represents life, eternal life, restoration, and a new beginning. *Green is an official color of the church, used during times where there is no official time of celebration. The church calls this period ordinary time.
Cedar of Lebanon
Purple: Purple dyes were the most expensive and most highly treasured in ancient times. The Phoenicians developed purple dye which came from several predatory snails living in the Mediterranean Sea (i.e., murex brandaris, murex trunculus, and purpura haemostoma).[5] Purple became an official color of the tabernacle and of Aaron’s priestly garments (Ex. 26:1; 28:15-33). As such, purple represents royalty, priesthood, and wealth. *Purple is an official color of the church and used to symbolize the Advent (sometimes replaced with blue) and Lent seasons.
Bronze: Bronze is a hard metallic alloy composed of copper and arsenic, antimony, lead, and silver alloys. Bronze is extremely hard and durable. Bronze was often used for objects in the temple and tabernacle (1 Chr. 15:19). Jesus is described as having feet as bronze (Rev. 1:14-15). Bronze represents strength and durability.
Other Colors
Silver: Used to describe the word of God, divinity, purity, salvation, and truth (e.g., Jer. 6:30).
Amber: Like yellow, amber is a color of fire which represents God’s glory, judgment, and endurance.
Orange: Like amber and yellow, orange is a color of fire which represents the power and presence of God.
Pink/Fuchsia: Indicates a person’s right relationship with God. Pink is sometimes used by the church for the third Sunday of Advent and the third Sunday of Lent.
Scarlet: Sometimes indicates sin. But, scarlet can indicate royalty.
Sapphire: Indicates the law, commandments, grace, revelation, and the Holy Spirit.
Turquoise: Indicates the river of God, sanctification, the New Jerusalem, and God’s healing.
So, using the tools we have in this reference guide, we can denote that in Revelation 1, Jesus’s white hair represents his purity and holiness. His eyes of flaming fires symbolize his divine judgment. Finally, Jesus’s feet of bronze represent his great strength. An understanding of the symbolic meaning of colors can greatly help one interpret the imagery used in prophecy.
Is There Any Significance to Colors in the Bible?
In modern Christianity, colors are used frequently to represent the differing facets of God’s character and promises. Colors, like numbers, have significant meaning in the Bible. Understanding what different colors symbolize can help us gain a deeper understanding of Scripture.
Colors, like numbers, have significant meaning in the Bible. Understanding what different colors symbolize can help us gain a deeper understanding of Scripture and give us revelation in our faith walk.
The Significance of Primary Colors in the Bible
The three primary colors found in nature are red, yellow, and blue. Each of these three primary colors holds particular significance in the Bible.
Red: Red is translated in the Old Testament as oudem, which means “red clay.” It is the root word for mankind. Biblical figures such as Adam (Genesis 2:7) and Esau (Genesis 25:25) have their names derived from the word oudem.
The symbolism of red extends its meaning for mankind as a metaphor for humanity. In the Old Testament, the blood sacrifice of an animal meant atonement for one’s sin (Leviticus 17:11). The Israelites also painted the blood of a Passover lamb offering in order for the angel of death to pass over their homes during the tenth and final plague of Egypt (Exodus 12:1-13).
However, red is most commonly associated with the blood of Jesus Christ that He spilled as the bond price for our Salvation on the cross at Calvary (Colossians 1:20).
Blue: Blue in the Bible represents the heavens and the Word of God. In Exodus, when Moses, his sons, and 70 elders of Israel went up to Mount Sinai to worship God, they saw God and described the pavement under His feet as being bright as the blue sky (Exodus 24:10). Following this encounter, Moses received the 10 commandments.
Blue is translated in Hebrew as tekelet. It is also found in the Bible to mean purple (Ezekiel 23:6) or violet (Jeremiah 10:9). Tekelet was the color assigned for priest’s clothing, in particular, their hems (Exodus 28:5-6). In Luke 8:40-48, the woman with the issue of blood was healed by our High Priest, Jesus Christ, when she touched the hem of His garment. Therefore, blue is also accredited with being the color of God’s healing and grace.
Yellow: Yellow is referenced in the Bible by the Hebrew word charuts, which refers to the precious metal gold. Gold represents the sovereignty of God. In the Old Testament, Solomon had the Temple built and overlaid in gold, even down to the priest’s utensils (1 Kings 6). At Jesus’ birth, one of the gifts He received was gold (Matthew 2:11).
Additionally, in The Book of Revelations, the New Jerusalem is referred to as a city of pure gold (Revelation 21:18).
Yellow and gold also represent the presence of God (Deuteronomy 4:24) and purification through fire (1 Peter 1:7).
The Significance of Secondary Colors in the Bible
In addition to primary colors, secondary colors also carry significance in the Bible.
Green: Green, being the color of vegetation, symbolizes life, restoration, and new beginnings (Psalm 1.3). Green is also the color of resurrection, which we experience in Spring.
Amber: Amber symbolizes the glory of God, His judgment, and endurance (Ezekiel 1:4).
Purple: Purple represents royalty, majesty, and priesthood in the Bible (John 19:2).
White: White refers to holiness, light, purity, redemption, and the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:5).
Black: Black symbolizes sin, darkness, death, and catastrophe (Zephaniah 1:15).
Silver: Silver is symbolic for the Word of God, divinity, salvation, and refining (Psalm 66:10).
Scarlet: Scarlet can represent sin (Isaiah 1:18), but it also refers to royalty (Daniel 5:16).
Bronze: Bronze stands for strength and durability. As an alloy, it is hard and durable and was used to make the ten brazen lavers, which were basins for washing (Exodus 30:18) and the Molten Sea, a large basin for ablution of the priests in the temple Solomon built (1 Kings 7:23-26). In the Book of Revelation, Jesus’ feet are described as being like bronze (Revelation 1:15).
What Is the Most Vivid Representation of Colors in the Bible?
A myriad of colors is represented in Genesis 9:13 when God sends a rainbow after the Flood.
The rainbow is a symbol for the covenant that God made with us to never destroy mankind or any living creature again.
Is the Representation of Colors Relevant for Christians Today?
In modern Christianity, colors are used frequently to represent the differing facets of God’s character and promises.
Red and gold are colors Christians frequently associate with Christmas, as well as green for Spring and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Tambourines that are used in praise and worship are often bedecked with multi-colored ribbons. Baptism candidates dress in white to show that they are starting over and that their sins are being washed away.
seven colors of the holy spirit
1) Red—Righteousness; Blood of Jesus: Jehovah-Tsidkenu
The Lord Our Righteousness ( Jeremiah 23:6 NRSV In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.)
2) Orange—Praise; Harvest; Warfare: Jehovah-Nissi
The Lord Our Banner (Exodus 17:8-15 NRSV vs. 15 And Moses built an altar and called it, The Lord is my banner.) The story implies that we can also understand this as “The Lord is my victory.”
Note this is between righteousness and God’s presence.
3) Yellow—Presence; Council of God: Jehovah-Shammah
The Lord Is Present (Ezekiel 48:35 NRSV The circumference of the city shall be eighteen thousand cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is There.) This name signifies God’s presence which is not only with us, but fills the whole earth. The artist Van Gogh used yellow to represent God’s presence.
4) Green—Peace; Life; Mercy: Jehovah-Shalom
The Lord Our Peace (Judges 6:24 NRSV Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it, The Lord is peace.)
The Old Testament uses the word “peace” in very practical ways, applying to every area of our lives. The meaning is close to that of the Greek word “sozo” for salvation. We understand that it includes deliverance, preservation, soundness, prosperity, happiness, rescue, and general well – being. It’s used in both the spiritual and physical senses.
Therapists use green to calm people.
Note this is between God’s presence and healing.
5) Blue—Healing: Jehovah-Rapha
The Lord Our Healer (Exodus 15:26 NRSV I am the Lord who heals you.)
I’ve heard of people seeing blue light during creative miracles when missing limbs are growing back. Some people have seen healing angels as emitting blue light. I once came back from a conference where it seemed that God sent a healing angel back with me. I experienced an increase in healing miracles after that time. A lady in the church said that when she looked at me that Sunday, she saw blue light emitting from my body.
6) Indigo—Shepherd: Jehovah-Ra-ah
The Lord Our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1 NRSV The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.) Jesus is the good shepherd, and he cares for God’s flock. Notice that it’s on the spectrum between healing and provision.
7) Violet—Wealth, Provision: Jehovah-Jireh
The Lord Our Provider Genesis 22:13,14 NRSV And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (See our story Supernatural Multiplication of Ham)
Note the relationship of the expression of each color and how it functions out of relationship to the colors beside it. You can go in a circle with the colors in that red follows purple and the entire spectrum continues.