Reference: Colour
Easton
The subject of colours holds an important place in the Scriptures.
White occurs as the translation of various Hebrew words. It is applied to milk (Ge 49:12), manna (Ex 16:31), snow (Isa 1:18), horses (Zec 1:8), raiment (Ec 9:8). Another Hebrew word so rendered is applied to marble (Es 1:6), and a cognate word to the lily (Song 2:16). A different term, meaning "dazzling," is applied to the countenance (Song 5:10).
This colour was an emblem of purity and innocence (Mr 16:5; Joh 20:12; Re 19:8,14), of joy (Ec 9:8), and also of victory (Zec 6:3; Re 6:2). The hangings of the tabernacle court (Ex 27:9; 38:9), the coats, mitres, bonnets, and breeches of the priests (Ex 39:27-28), and the dress of the high priest on the day of Atonement (Le 16:4,32), were white.
Black, applied to the hair (Le 13:31; Song 5:11), the complexion (Song 1:5), and to horses (Zec 6:2,6). The word rendered "brown" in Ge 30:32 (R.V., "black") means properly "scorched", i.e., the colour produced by the influence of the sun's rays. "Black" in Job 30:30 means dirty, blackened by sorrow and disease. The word is applied to a mourner's robes (Jer 8:21; 14:2), to a clouded sky (1Ki 18:45), to night (Mic 3:6; Jer 4:28), and to a brook rendered turbid by melted snow (Job 6:16). It is used as symbolical of evil in 6/2/type/leb'>Zec 6:2,6; Re 6:5. It was the emblem of mourning, affliction, calamity (Jer 14:2; La 4:8; 5:10).
Red, applied to blood (2Ki 3; 22), a heifer (Nu 19:2), pottage of lentils (Ge 25:30), a horse (Zec 1:8), wine (Pr 23:31), the complexion (Ge 25:25; Song 5:10). This colour is symbolical of bloodshed (Zec 6:2; Re 6:4; 12:3).
Purple, a colour obtained from the secretion of a species of shell-fish (the Murex trunculus, Illustration: Murex Trunculus) which was found in the Mediterranean, and particularly on the coasts of Phoenicia and Asia Minor. The colouring matter in each separate shell-fish amounted to only a single drop, and hence the great value of this dye. Robes of this colour were worn by kings (Jg 8:26) and high officers (Es 8:15). They were also worn by the wealthy and luxurious (Jer 10:9; Eze 27:7; Lu 16:19; Re 17:4). With this colour was associated the idea of royalty and majesty (Jg 8:26; Song 3:10; 7:5; Da 5:7,16,29).
Blue. This colour was also procured from a species of shell-fish, the chelzon of the Hebrews, and the Helix ianthina of modern naturalists. The tint was emblematic of the sky, the deep dark hue of the Eastern sky. This colour was used in the same way as purple. The ribbon and fringe of the Hebrew dress were of this colour (Nu 15:38). The loops of the curtains (Ex 26:4), the lace of the high priest's breastplate, the robe of the ephod, and the lace on his mitre, were blue (Ex 28:28,31,37).
Scarlet, or Crimson. In Isa 1:18 a Hebrew word is used which denotes the worm or grub whence this dye was procured. In Ge 38:28,30, the word so rendered means "to shine," and expresses the brilliancy of the colour. 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. The only natural object to which this colour is applied in Scripture is the lips, which are likened to a scarlet thread (Song 4:3). Scarlet robes were worn by the rich and luxurious (2Sa 1:24; Pr 31:21; Jer 4:30; Re 17:4). It was also the hue of the warrior's dress (Na 2:3; Isa 9:5). The Phoenicians excelled in the art of dyeing this colour (2Ch 2:7).
These four colours--white, purple, blue, and scarlet--were used in the textures of the tabernacle curtains (Ex 26:1,31,36), and also in the high priest's ephod, girdle, and breastplate (8/5/type/leb'>Ex 28:5-6,8,15). Scarlet thread is mentioned in connection with the rites of cleansing the leper (Le 14:4,6,51) and of burning the red heifer (Nu 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 (Jos 2:18; 6:25) when the city of Jericho was taken.
Vermilion, the red sulphuret of mercury, or cinnabar; a colour used for drawing the figures of idols on the walls of temples (Eze 23:14), or for decorating the walls and beams of houses (Jer 22:14).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And the first came out red, all {his body} [was] like a hairy coat, so they called his name Esau.
And Esau said to Jacob, "Give me {some of that red stuff} to gulp down, for I am exhausted!" (Therefore his name was called Edom).
Let me pass through all your flocks today, removing all the speckled and spotted sheep from them, along with every dark-colored sheep among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. That shall be my wages.
And it happened [that] at her labor one [child] put out a hand. And the midwife took [it] and tied a crimson thread on his hand saying, "This [one] came out first."
And afterward his brother who [had] the crimson thread on his hand came out. And his name was called Zerah.
The eyes [are] darker than wine, and the teeth whiter than milk.
And the house of Israel called its name "manna." And it [was] like coriander seed, white, and its taste [was] like a wafer with honey.
"And the tabernacle you will make [with] ten curtains; you will make them of finely twisted linen and blue and purple and crimson [yarns], [with] cherubim, the work of a skilled craftsman.
And you will make loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain, at the end in the set; and you will do so on the edge of the end curtain in the second set.
"And you will make a curtain of blue and purple and crimson [yarns] and finely twisted linen, [the] work of a skilled craftsman; he will make it [with] cherubim.
"And you will make for the entrance of the tent a screen of blue and purple and crimson [yarns] and finely twisted linen, [the] work of an embroiderer.
"You will make the courtyard of the tabernacle; for the {south} side [will be] hangings for the courtyard of finely twisted linen, one hundred cubits long for the one side.
"And they will take the gold and the blue and the purple and the crimson [yarns] and the fine linen, and they will make the ephod of gold, blue and purple, [and] crimson [yarns], and finely twisted linen, the work of a skilled craftsman.
And the waistband of his ephod, which is on it, will be of like work to it--gold, blue, and purple and crimson [yarns] and finely twisted linen.
And you will make a breast piece of judgment, a work of a skilled craftsman; you will make it like the work of the ephod; you will make it of gold, blue and purple and crimson [yarns], and finely twisted linen.
And they will tie the breast piece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord to be on the waistband of the ephod, and the breast piece will not come loose from the ephod.
"And you will make the robe of the ephod totally of blue [yarn].
And you will place it on a blue cord, and it will be on the turban, at the front of the turban it will be.
And he made the courtyard; for the south side [were] the hangings of the court of finely twisted linen, one hundred cubits,
And they made the tunics of fine linen, a weaver's work, for Aaron and for his sons, and the turban of fine linen and the headdresses of the headbands of fine linen and undergarments of the linen cloth, finely twisted,
But if the priest examines the diseased area of the skin's infection and {if} its appearance is not deeper than the skin and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall confine the afflicted person [with] the diseased area of skin [for] seven days.
then the priest shall command, and he shall take two living, clean birds and {cedar wood} and {a crimson thread} and hyssop for the one who presents himself for cleansing.
He must take the living bird and the {cedar wood} and {the crimson thread} and the hyssop, and he shall dip them and the living bird in the bird's blood slaughtered over the fresh water.
Then he shall take the {cedar wood} and the hyssop and {the crimson thread} and the living bird, and he shall dip them in the slaughtered bird's blood and in the fresh water, and he shall spatter [them] on the house seven times.
He must put on {a holy linen tunic}, and linen undergarments must be on his body, and he must fasten [himself] with a linen sash, and he must wrap a linen turban around [his head]--they [are] holy garments, and he shall wash his body with water, then he shall put them on.
And the priest who is anointed and who is {ordained} to serve as a priest in place of his father shall make atonement; thus he shall put on the linen garments, the holy garments,
"Speak to the {Israelites}, and tell them to make for themselves tassels on the hems of their garments throughout their generations and to put a blue cord on the tassel of the hem.
"This [is] the decree of the law that Yahweh has commanded, saying, 'Speak to the {Israelites} and let them take to you a red heifer without a physical defect, on which a yoke {has not been placed}.
The priest will take cedar wood, hyssop, and crimson thread, and he will throw them in the midst of {the burning heifer}.
[When] we come to the land, you must tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you must gather your father and mother, and your brothers, and your whole family to your house.
But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute {and her family} and all who [were] with her, and she has lived in the midst of Israel until this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
The weight of the ornamental rings of gold that he requested [was] one thousand seven hundred [shekels of] gold, apart from the crescents, pendants, and purple garments that [were] on the kings of Midian, and apart from the pendants that [were] on the necks of their camels.
The weight of the ornamental rings of gold that he requested [was] one thousand seven hundred [shekels of] gold, apart from the crescents, pendants, and purple garments that [were] on the kings of Midian, and apart from the pendants that [were] on the necks of their camels.
O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, the one who clothed you with crimson, the one who {adorned your clothing with golden ornaments}.
{In no time} the heavens grew black [with] clouds and wind, and there was heavy rain. Ahab rode and he went to Jezreel,
So then, send to me skilled men to work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue fabric, knowledgeable in engraving, with the skilled men who [are] with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father has established.
There were curtains of finely woven linen and blue cloth tied with cords of fine white linen and purple cloth to silver curtain rings and pillars of alabaster, [and] couches of gold and silver on a paved floor of alabaster, precious stone, mother-of-pearl, and costly stones.
Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in {royal clothing} of blue cloth and white linen, and a great crown of gold and a robe of fine white linen and purple, and the city of Susa was shouting and rejoicing.
which are growing dark because of ice upon them, it will pile up snow.
My skin turns black on me, and my bones burn with heat.
Do not look at wine when it is red, when it {sparkles} on the cup, going down smoothly.
She does not fear for her house [when] it snows, for {her entire household} is clothed [in] crimson.
Always be clothed in white garments, and never let your head lack oil!
Always be clothed in white garments, and never let your head lack oil!
I [am] black but beautiful, {O maidens of Jerusalem}, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
{My beloved belongs to me and I belong to him}; he pastures his flock among the lilies.
He made its column of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; its interior is inlaid [with] leather by {the maidens of Jerusalem}.
Your lips [are] like a thread of crimson, and your mouth [is] lovely. Your temple [is] like pomegranate from behind your veil.
My beloved [is] radiant and {ruddy}, distinguished {among} ten thousand.
My beloved [is] radiant and {ruddy}, distinguished {among} ten thousand. His head [is] gold, refined gold; his locks [are] wavy, black as a raven.
{Your head crowns you like Carmel}; the flowing locks of your head [are] like {purple tapestry}; a king is held captive in the tresses!
"Come now, and let us argue," says Yahweh. "Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
"Come now, and let us argue," says Yahweh. "Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
For every boot {that marches and shakes the earth} and garment rolled in blood {will} be for burning--fire fuel.
Because of this the earth will mourn, and the heavens above will become dark. Because I have spoken, I have planned, and I have not relented, and I will not turn back from it."
And you, devastated one, what [do] you do, that you put on crimson, that you adorn yourself [with] ornaments of gold, that you make your eyes look bigger with the eye make-up? In vain you beautify yourself. [Your] lovers reject you; they seek your life.
"Because of the wound of the daughter of my people I am broken down, I mourn, horror has seized me.
Silver beaten from Tarshish is brought, and gold from Uphaz, the work of [the] craftsman and [the] hands of the goldsmith. Blue and purple [are] their clothing, all of them [are] the work of skillful people.
"Judah mourns, and her gates languish, they are in mourning on the ground, and the cry of lament of Jerusalem goes up.
"Judah mourns, and her gates languish, they are in mourning on the ground, and the cry of lament of Jerusalem goes up.
Who says 'I will build for myself a spacious house with large upper rooms,' and he cuts windows for it, and [it is] paneled with cedar, and he paints [it] with vermilion.
[Now] their appearance is blacker than soot, they are not recognized in the streets; their skin has shriveled on their bones, it has become dry like wood.
Our skin is hot like an oven because of the scorching famine.
And she increased her whorings, and she saw men carved on the wall, images of Chaldeans carved in red
Your sail was fine linen with colorful weaving from Egypt {to serve as a banner for you}; blue and purple cloth from the coastlands of Cyprus was your awning.
The king cried {aloud} to bring [in] the conjurers, the {astrologers} and the diviners; the king {spoke} and said to [the] wise men of Babylon, "Any man that can read this writing and can tell me its explanation will be clothed [in] purple and [will have] necklace of gold [hung] around his neck and he will rule [as] third [in authority] in the kingdom."
But I have heard concerning you that you are able {to produce interpretations} and to solve riddles; now if you are able to read the writing and to make known its explanation to me, you will be clothed [in] purple and necklace of gold [will be placed] around your neck and you will rule [as] third [in command] in the kingdom."
Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel [with] purple and [placed] a necklace of gold around his neck, and they made a proclamation concerning him that he would be [the] third ruler [in authority] in the kingdom.
Therefore [it will be as] night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. And the sun will set on the prophets, and the day will grow dark over them.
The shields of his warriors [are] dyed red; The powerful men [are] dressed in scarlet. The metal of the chariots [shines] like fire {on the day of battle}, and [their] spears quiver.
{I had a vision in the night}, and look, a man riding on a red horse. And he [was] standing between the myrtle shrubs that [were] in the ravine, and behind him [were] red, reddish-brown, and white horses.
{I had a vision in the night}, and look, a man riding on a red horse. And he [was] standing between the myrtle shrubs that [were] in the ravine, and behind him [were] red, reddish-brown, and white horses.
With the first chariot [there were] red horses, and with the second chariot [there were] black horses.
With the first chariot [there were] red horses, and with the second chariot [there were] black horses.
With the first chariot [there were] red horses, and with the second chariot [there were] black horses. And with the third chariot [there were] white horses, and with the fourth chariot [there were] strong dappled horses.
{The one with} the black horses [is] going out to [the] north country, and the white [horses] go after them, while the dappled [ones] go to the south country."
{The one with} the black horses [is] going out to [the] north country, and the white [horses] go after them, while the dappled [ones] go to the south country."
And [as they] were going into the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
"Now a certain man was rich, and dressed [in] purple cloth and fine linen, feasting sumptuously every day.
and she saw two angels in white, seated one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying.
And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and the one seated on it had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and in order that he might conquer.
And another horse came out, fiery red, and it was granted to the one seated on it to take peace from the earth, and that they would slaughter one another, and a large sword was given to him. And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a black horse, and the one seated on it had a balance scale in his hand.
And another sign appeared in heaven, and behold, a great fiery red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads [were] seven royal headbands.
And the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, holding a golden cup in her hand full of detestable things and the unclean things of her sexual immorality.
And the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, holding a golden cup in her hand full of detestable things and the unclean things of her sexual immorality.
And it has been granted to her that she be dressed in bright, clean fine linen (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).
And the armies [that are] in heaven, dressed in clean, white fine linen, were following him on white horses.