The term "swarthy" is often used to describe a dark complexion or skin tone. In the context of the Bible, references to skin color and complexion can be found, though they are not always directly associated with the term "swarthy." The Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, includes various descriptions of individuals and peoples that may imply darker skin tones, often in relation to geographic and ethnic origins.

Biblical References:

1. Song of Solomon 1:5-6 : "I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected." In this passage, the Shulammite woman describes herself as "dark" due to sun exposure, which may suggest a swarthy appearance. The reference to the "tents of Kedar" further emphasizes a connection to a nomadic, desert-dwelling people known for their dark-colored tents.

2. Jeremiah 13:23 : "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil." Here, the prophet Jeremiah uses the Ethiopian's skin as a metaphor for something unchangeable, indicating a recognition of darker skin tones among certain ethnic groups.

3. Lamentations 4:8 : "But now they are 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." This verse describes the dire conditions during the siege of Jerusalem, where the inhabitants' appearance changed due to extreme suffering and malnutrition, possibly leading to a swarthy or darkened appearance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In biblical times, the Near East was a crossroads of various peoples and cultures, including those from Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the broader Mediterranean region. The Bible reflects this diversity, with references to Cushites (Ethiopians), Egyptians, and other groups who would have had darker skin tones compared to the Israelites.

The mention of skin color in the Bible is often incidental and not a primary focus. It is important to understand these references within their historical and cultural context, recognizing the diversity of the ancient world. The Bible does not attribute moral or spiritual value to skin color, emphasizing instead the character and faith of individuals.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the Bible teaches that all humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and this includes people of all ethnicities and skin tones. The New Testament further emphasizes the unity and equality of all believers in Christ, as seen in Galatians 3:28 : "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

In summary, while the Bible contains references that may imply a swarthy appearance, these are typically descriptive rather than prescriptive. The overarching biblical narrative focuses on the spiritual condition of humanity and the redemptive work of God through Jesus Christ, transcending ethnic and cultural distinctions.1. (a.) Having a dark or sunburned complexion; tawny; swart; as, swarthy faces.

2. (v. t.) To make swarthy.

6938. Qedar -- perhaps "swarthy," a son of Ishmael, also his desc.
... Qedar. 6939 . perhaps "swarthy," a son of Ishmael, also his desc. ... Word Origin from
qadar Definition perhaps "swarthy," a son of Ishmael, also his desc. ...
/hebrew/6938.htm - 6k

7840. shecharchoreth -- blackish
... blackish. Transliteration: shecharchoreth Phonetic Spelling: (shekh-ar-kho'-reth)
Short Definition: swarthy. ... black. From shachar; swarthy -- black. ...
/hebrew/7840.htm - 6k

2345. chum -- darkened, dark brown or black
... brown. From an unused root meaning to be warm, ie (by implication) sunburnt or swarthy
(blackish) -- brown. 2344, 2345. chum. 2346 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2345.htm - 6k

Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... His long black hair and beard surrounded features somewhat swarthy from the rays
of the hot sun, and he rode on the side of the ass's colt that seemed almost ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter i jesus drives out.htm

The Exile Continued.
... But David's quick eye caught a swarthy face peering at him from some enclosure of
the simple forest sanctuary, and as he recognised Doeg the Edomite, Saul's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

Set at Liberty.
... accoutrements and mounting; carriages conveying the royal consort, Herodias, Salome,
and their ladies; large numbers of native soldiers; swarthy Bedouin and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiv set at liberty.htm

That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ...
... Judea. The son of Herod was then a tall, swarthy, robust young man, who
had come to see life in Rome and to finish his education. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 4 that evening vergilius.htm

Lines on "Kallihirua in the Ship"
... all.". We look'd upon the swarthy lad, Then look'd upon each other, And
all were sure that he was sad With thinking of his mother. ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /lines on kallihirua in the.htm

The Scourging of Jesus.
... They were six in number, dark, swarthy men, somewhat shorter than Jesus; their chests
were covered with a piece of leather, or with some dirty stuff; their ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxii the scourging of.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... As the Jerusalemite would look with proud self-consciousness, not unmingled with
kindly patronage, on the swarthy strangers, yet fellow-countrymen, or the eager ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

Of the Condolence and Complacency of Love in the Passion of Our ...
... And if I wear mourning for the passion and death of my King, all swarthy and black
with grief, I cease not to have an incomparable sweetness in seeing the ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v of the condolence.htm

Are, Then, the Divine Bodies Free from These Deformities? and ...
... false, inasmuch as, when you form and fashion gods, you represent some with long
hair, others smooth and bare, as old, as youths, as boys, swarthy, grey-eyed ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/14 are then the divine.htm

Jubilee Anniversary of the Baptist Missionary Society.
... Cheering, healing,. Sin-sick souls in heart's distress. Then her swarthy sons and
daughters,. Afric to the Cross shall bring; And the angel of the waters. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cclxix jubilee anniversary of.htm

Swarthy (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Having a dark or sunburned complexion; tawny;
swart; as, swarthy faces. 2. (vt) To make swarthy. ...Swarthy (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/swarthy.htm - 6k

Colors (12 Occurrences)
... Eight different words have been translated "black." They indicate various meanings
such as "dusky like the early dawn," "ashen," "swarthy," "moved with passion ...
/c/colors.htm - 36k

Color (18 Occurrences)
... Eight different words have been translated "black." They indicate various meanings
such as "dusky like the early dawn," "ashen," "swarthy," "moved with passion ...
/c/color.htm - 39k

Swarms (18 Occurrences)

/s/swarms.htm - 12k

Incensed (6 Occurrences)
... the Jews. (See NIV). Song of Songs 1:6 Look not upon me, because I am swarthy,
Because the sun hath scorched me. My mother's sons ...
/i/incensed.htm - 8k

Tanned (7 Occurrences)
... screen, (See RSV). Song of Songs 1:6 Look not upon me, because I am swarthy,
Because the sun hath scorched me. My mother's sons were ...
/t/tanned.htm - 8k

Arab (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) One of a swarthy race occupying Arabia, and numerous
in Syria, Northern Africa, etc. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARAB. ...
/a/arab.htm - 8k

Swathed (4 Occurrences)

/s/swathed.htm - 7k

What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Swarthy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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