Colors in the Bible and Their Symbolism and Significance

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Colors in the Bible

Have you ever wondered what the God’s Word says about colors?

Colors are used throughout the Old and New Testaments to reflect meanings or spiritual truths. They have a symbolic significance and can remind us of God and his plan for our salvation.

The biblical significance of colors can remind us of God and His plan of redemption.

Just like with numbers, colors point us to Jesus by symbolizing His Person and His works.

Bible symbolism is a part of Hebrew hermeneutics. “Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible. It is part of the broader field of hermeneutics which involves the study of principles of interpretation for all forms of communication, nonverbal and verbal. This approach also includes “remez.”

A remez is a hint of a hidden message or a deeper meaning that is below the surface or behind the words. Numbers and colors are both remezes. (A remez is a hint—wherein a word, phrase, or other element in the text hints at a truth or a deep allegoric  – hidden or symbolic meaning). By studying colors we are studying a form of non-verbal communication by God. He uses colors as a visual sign to represent His promises, plan for our salvation, and much more.

Let’s briefly take a look at some of the colors in the Bible and their meanings.

I’ve written several posts about the symbolic meaning of colors in the Bible and have linked each one below for your convenience and deeper study.

Colors in the Bible

Red In the Bible

Red has a number of symbolic meanings. Looking at the Old Testament, oudem is translated as “red clay.” Oudem is the root word for mankind. We can infer from this that red represents humanity.

Of course, red is also the color of blood and in the New Testament, Jesus’s sacrifice is described with the imagery of blood (John 6:55) As Jesus’ blood was shed for us, red represents the love of God represented in and through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

In many Christian religions, red is an official church color that represents the church itself. Red clothing and banners are used during special festivals celebrating saints, Holy Week, and Pentecost.

Scarlet, a variation of red, sometimes indicates sin, but some texts also use it to denote royalty.

In the Bible, scarlet often symbolizes sin, wealth, and power. It is associated with the notion of deep, glaring sin, as mentioned in Isaiah 1:18. Conversely, scarlet also represents wealth and authority, as seen in the garments and scarlet robe of the high priest and royal figures.

When Isaiah says that the Lord can change our sins from scarlet or crimson to snow or wool, he is saying that the Lord can do something that is impossible for us to do on our own. Scarlet yarns dyed red stays red. But regardless of the stain of our sins, the Atonement of Jesus Christ can make us pure again if we repent.

(For more on the color red in the Bible, see this post)

Meaning of Gold/Yellow in the Bible

Yellow, is, in my opinion, one of the most significant colors as it is believed to symbolize faith and the Glory of God, anointing, and Joy. Gold and yellow are often associated or used interchangeably in the Bible. 

There are two Hebrew words for yellow in the Bible. The first is charuts (usually referring to gold as in Psalm 68:13 or in ); and tsahob, (which refers to the color of hair or the skin of someone who is ill, often of leprosy as mentioned in Leviticus 13:30).

Gold was a precious metal valued for its beauty and its ease with which to work. The temple was adorned in gold, so it makes sense that the New Jerusalem is described as being made of gold (Revelation 21:18).

Yellow and gold are also used to describe the color of fire and fire represents the presence of God and how God refines us. (Deuteronomy 4:24)

In the Bible, the color gold symbolizes divinity, purity, and kingship. Often associated with God’s glory and holiness, gold is used in the construction of sacred objects, such as the Ark of the Covenant and Solomon’s Temple. It signifies the wealth and majesty of God’s kingdom, reflecting His eternal and unblemished nature.

In Revelation, the New Jerusalem is described as having streets of pure gold, representing ultimate perfection and divine presence. Thus, gold in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual richness and the divine qualities of God’s heavenly realm.

Therefore, yellow represents joy, the presence of God, and God’s anointing, whereas gold represents God’s holiness, divine nature, and His majesty. In many churches gold and yellow cloths, clothing, and banners are often used to celebrate the holiest days of the year, which of course are Easter and Christmas.

(You can learn more about yellow in the Bible in this post.)

The Color Blue in the Bible

The Hebrew word for blue is tekelet, which, in some translations, is purple (Ezekiel 23:6) or “violet” (Jeremiah 10:9).

As I described in my previous post about the symbolism of blue in the Bible, blue dyes were inferior to royal purple. Blue was often used on the clothing of the priests and aligned the hem of the priest’s garments. It was also used in building and adorning the tabernacle and in the temple.

Blue indicates heaven, the Holy Spirit, and truth. Lighter shades of blue are sometimes used to represent the Virgin Mary.

In church decoration and celebrations, blue cloth and clothing are sometimes used to represent the season of Advent (although the “official” color is purple).

Sapphire, a deep shade of blue, symbolizes the law, commandments, grace, revelation, and the Holy Spirit.

Turquoise is sometimes used to indicate the river of God (Psalm 65:9) sanctification, the New Jerusalem, and God’s healing.

The Color White in the Bible

A study on colors in the Bible wouldn’t be complete without the ultimate color. White, as symbolized in the Bible, depicts purity, holiness, and the redemption of sin. When we are forgiven for our sins, by God, we are white as snow (Psalm 51:7)

Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

White also represents the absolute purity of God as referenced in Daniel 7:9, the purity of Christ as in Revelation 2:17, and the purity of God’s judgment found in Revelation 20:11. It also is used to depict God’s complete victory over the powers of evil as ascribed in Zechariah 6:3 and Revelation 6:2 and 19:11.

In the Book of Revelation, the white horse symbolizes conquest and victory. Its rider, often interpreted as Christ or a conquering king, wields a bow and wears a crown, signifying divine authority and triumph over evil. This imagery reflects the ultimate triumph of good over darkness.

White is a common color used in the church, usually for the holiest of days including the Easter and Christmas seasons and other special occasions where the priest or pastor wears white robes or white garments.

(To dive deeper into white in the Bible, see this post)

The color Black in the Bible

In the Bible, black is used to symbolize evil, gloom, judgment, and death (Lamentations 4:8; Micah 3:6 and more). Hell is described in Jude and 2 Peter as a place of “the blackest of darkness” 

In the Bible, the color black often symbolizes affliction, suffering, and death. It is associated with mourning and judgment, reflecting human sin and the consequences of turning away from God. Yet, it also signifies humility and the potential for redemption, as darkness precedes the light of salvation.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.- Jude 13

(I’ve written an in-depth post on black in the Bible. You can find it here.)

​Purple in the Bible

In the Bible, the color purple holds significant symbolism, often representing royalty, wealth, and spiritual authority. This stems from the ancient world, where purple dye was rare and expensive, often reserved for kings and high priests. For instance, in the Book of Exodus, God commands Moses to use purple cloth for the Tabernacle, indicating its sacred and holy nature.

Additionally, in the New Testament, Lydia, a seller of purple goods, is highlighted as a prosperous and influential woman who supports Paul’s ministry. Purple’s association with divinity and nobility underscores the profound respect and reverence for God’s majesty and the spiritual leadership entrusted to His chosen people. Thus, purple in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of God’s sovereignty and divine grace.

We also see mention of purple in the Bible when in Proverbs 31:22:

She makes bed coverings for herself;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple. ( a robe of fine linen, perhaps?)

Green in the Bible

Green grass, green trees. God the master painter has blessed us with many variations of this beautiful color. We see the color green in the Bible, throughout.

The color green is usually associated with vegetation and represents life.

Cedars, a green tree, was popular as a building material during biblical times. Green is associated with the trees that do not lose their foliage and, therefore, green represents life, eternal life, restoration, and a new beginning.

The green olive tree in the Bible symbolizes peace, prosperity, and divine blessing. It often represents Israel, highlighting resilience and God’s enduring covenant with His people. The olive tree’s ability to thrive in harsh conditions mirrors faith’s strength and the promise of renewal and hope in challenging times.

It is interesting to note, that while green symbolizes new life, as an official color of the church, it is used during times when there is no official time of celebration. The church calls this period “ordinary time”.

You may enjoy this short video on WHAT IS THE MEANING OF COLORS IN THE BIBLE? / GOSPEL STORY BY COLORS

(For an in-depth look at the symbolism of green in the Bible, see this post).

I find the study of the biblical meaning of colors incredibly fascinating. Perhaps, it is partially due to the fact that I’m also a creative, but I love that God is the ultimate artist and blesses us with rich, beautiful colors in His creation.

Various Colors in the Bible: Verses and Meanings

In the Bible, colors often carry deep spiritual metaphors and spiritual application. White symbolizes purity and righteousness, as seen in Revelation 7:9, where the faithful wear white robes. Red represents sacrifice and atonement, reflecting the blood of Christ in Hebrews 9:22.

Blue signifies divine revelation and the commandments, illustrated by the blue threads in the Israelites’ garments (Numbers 15:38-39). Purple, a color of royalty, denotes God’s sovereignty and kingship, as seen in John 19:2 during Christ’s mock coronation. Green symbolizes life and growth, representing spiritual renewal (Psalm 52:8). These colors weave a rich tapestry of spiritual meaning throughout Scripture.

The beautiful colors of the rainbow do not symbolize LQGBT pride but rather God’s promise to us.

Do you enjoy studying Bible symbolism and colors in the Bible? I’d love to hear your thoughts and interest about this.

While I haven’t found many resources on color symbolism in the Bible, the below recommendation is a terrific resource (and inexpensive, too!) for Bible symbolism, including a section on color.

The A to Z Guide to Bible Signs and Symbols: Understanding Their Meaning and Significance by Neil Wilson, Nancy Ryken Taylor

Because of Him,

Sue

ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”