Topical Encyclopedia The term "colored" in the context of the Bible does not refer to race or ethnicity as it might in modern parlance. Instead, it often pertains to the use of colors in various aspects of biblical life, including clothing, materials, and symbolism. Colors in the Bible carry significant meanings and are used to convey spiritual truths, divine attributes, and human experiences.Biblical Use of Colors 1. Purple: Purple is frequently associated with royalty, wealth, and authority. In the ancient world, purple dye was rare and expensive, making it a symbol of nobility and power. In the Bible, purple garments are often worn by kings and high-ranking officials. For example, in the Book of Esther, Mordecai is honored with a royal robe of purple (Esther 8:15: "Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple"). 2. Blue: Blue is often linked to divinity and the heavens. It is used in the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the priests. The Israelites were commanded to include a blue cord in the tassels of their garments to remind them of God's commandments (Numbers 15:38-39: "Speak to the Israelites and tell them to make tassels for the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner"). 3. Scarlet/Red: Scarlet or red is a color that symbolizes both sin and redemption. It is used in the context of sacrifice and atonement. The scarlet thread in the account of Rahab (Joshua 2:18: "unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down") signifies protection and salvation. Additionally, Isaiah 1:18 states, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow," highlighting the transformative power of God's forgiveness. 4. White: White represents purity, holiness, and righteousness. It is often used to describe the garments of angels and the glorified Christ. In Revelation, the saints are given white robes, symbolizing their purity and victory over sin (Revelation 7:9: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands"). 5. Black: Black is sometimes associated with mourning, suffering, and judgment. In Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah uses black to describe the dire state of Jerusalem (Lamentations 4:8: "But now they appear blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick"). Symbolic Significance Colors in the Bible are not merely decorative but carry deep symbolic meanings. They are used to communicate God's nature, human emotions, and spiritual truths. The use of colors in the Tabernacle, for instance, was divinely ordained to reflect heavenly realities and the holiness of God. Each color chosen for the priestly garments and the Tabernacle's furnishings had a specific purpose and meaning, pointing to the multifaceted nature of God's covenant with His people. Cultural and Historical Context In biblical times, the production of colored fabrics and dyes was a complex and costly process. The colors mentioned in the Bible were derived from natural sources, such as plants, minerals, and shellfish. The rarity and expense of certain colors, like purple, made them symbols of status and authority. Understanding the cultural and historical context of colors in the Bible enhances the appreciation of their symbolic significance and the messages they convey in Scripture. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (imp. & p. p.) of Color.2. (a.) Having color; tinged; dyed; painted; stained. 3. (a.) Specious; plausible; adorned so as to appear well; as, a highly colored description. 4. (a.) of some other color than black or white. Greek 4164. poikilos -- many colored ... many colored. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: poikilos Phonetic Spelling: (poy-kee'-los) Short Definition: various, of different colors Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4164.htm - 6k 4450. purrhos -- fiery red 5515. chloros -- pale green, pale 2847. kokkinos -- scarlet 5192. huakinthos -- hyacinth 4449. purrazo -- to be fiery red Strong's Hebrew 6641. tsabua -- colored, variegated... 6640, 6641. tsabua. 6642 . colored, variegated. Transliteration: tsabua Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-boo'-ah) Short Definition: speckled. ... /hebrew/6641.htm - 6k 2405. chatuboth -- dark-hued stuffs 2871. tebul -- a turban 5340. natsats -- to shine, sparkle 6731. tsiyts -- perhaps wings 2091. zahab -- gold 7660. shabats -- probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work 6937. qadar -- to be dark Library A Woman on a Scarlet-Colored Beast. Look not Upon Me Because I am Dark-Colored, Because the Sun Hath ... Sambo and the Infidel Judge. "Liberty Now and Forever. " The Three are One, and Also Equal, viz the Mind Itself, and the ... Whether the Will is Moved, of Necessity, by Its Object? Augustin Returns to the Question, Whether Each Person of the ... We Hear Much of the Human Error which Accepts what is Sham and ... Whether God is the Object of this Science? Whether this Man, IE Christ, Began to Be? Thesaurus Colored (2 Occurrences)... 3. (a.) Specious; plausible; adorned so as to appear well; as, a highly colored description. ... Multi-Version Concordance Colored (2 Occurrences). ... /c/colored.htm - 7k Pale-colored (1 Occurrence) Scarlet-colored (1 Occurrence) Dark-colored (4 Occurrences) Many-colored (1 Occurrence) Glass (12 Occurrences) Lebanon (66 Occurrences) Light (2869 Occurrences) Lizard (3 Occurrences) Ruby (5 Occurrences) Resources Did Jacob placing branches in front of his flock really result in the offspring being speckled and spotted? | GotQuestions.orgShould Christians participate in religious festivals of other religions? | GotQuestions.org Was Jesus white? | GotQuestions.org Colored: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Colored (2 Occurrences)Proverbs 7:16 Nahum 2:3 Subtopics Related Terms |
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