What is the color of God?

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).

BlackBlack 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).

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 clothe themselves in white as a symbol of rebirth and the washing away of their sins. 

Additionally, the rainbow is an international sign of Christianity. It is used frequently in Christian merchandising and marketing. 

Sources:

www.color-meanings.com, “Biblical meaning of colors”

crossexamined.org, “Reference Guide to the biblical symbolism of colors”, Brian G. Chilton.

reasonsforhopejesus.com, “The Meaning of Colors in the Bible?”

itsaboutworship.com, “Symbolism of colors”

compellingtruth.org, “Does the rainbow have a meaning? What is the biblical significance of the rainbow?”

©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Pattadis Walarput

Madeline Kalu is a Christian writer and the co-founder of Jacob’s Ladder Blog. She was born in England but currently lives in Germany with her husband, Solomon. As a response to the fear, anxiety, and despair generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jacob’s Ladder Blog has written a free EBook titled “More than Conquerors through Christ” to encourage, strengthen, and give hope in the midst of this pandemic. You can download the EBook or read it online at www.jacobsladderblog.com.

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What is the color of God?

God shows us much more than a simple natural phenomenon when a rainbow appears in the sky after the rains. Even when the Earth was flooded after the great biblical flood, God showed Noah the rainbow so he could expect miracles. We have already discussed the 7 rainbow colors and their meanings here.

In this guide, we will study the colors in the Bible and uncover their spiritual meanings.

Colors in Nature and Biblical Meaning of Primary Colors

What is the color of God?

In nature there are three primary colors: red, yellow and blue. They cannot be formed by mixing any other colors. These colors come from Earth itself. You can mix these together or mix them with black and white to get almost all of the beautiful colors that we have today.

Red

In the Bible, the Hebrew word for red is Oudem. Its actual meaning is “red clay”. Many biblical names (Adam, Esau and Edom) are derived from this Hebrew word which means flesh. Thus, it is the root word for mankind as stated in the Bible.

Yellow

The second primary color is yellow. The counterpart of this color is also mentioned in God’s principle and in I Peter 1:7, God talks about trials and purging. (The trial of faith will be more precious than Gold and be tried with fire). Here the meaning is: yellow is associated with fire, which in turn, has always been associated with the purification process.

Blue

Blue is the third primary color. It spiritually signifies the Healing Power of God. It is the most sublime subject and color which biblically represents the Word of God. The 15th Chapter of Numbers, verses 38-41 denote this biblical meaning of blue (fringe of the borders a ribband of blue). The very fact that the Sky is blue stands for the presence of Yahweh. God’s chosen nation Israel is also denoted as blue from the time of David. In Matt 9: 21, the woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years says “I shall be whole again, if I touch the hem of His garment” – the garment hem is also blue.

Secondary Colors and Biblical Meanings

What is the color of God?

On the basis of this we can derive the spiritual meaning of colors in the Bible as follows for the three secondary colors.

Green

Green is obtained by mixing yellow (trials) with blue (Word of God). Therefore, the biblical meaning of the color green is immortality. (The leaf shall not wither (psalm 1:3). Green is also symbolic of resurrection which we see each Spring.

Orange

Orange is obtained by mixing red (flesh) and yellow (trials). The result is a color of fire which represents the Fire of God, deliverance and passionate praise.

Purple

Purple is obtained by mixing red (flesh) and blue (Word of God). The resultant color meaning in the Bible is royalty or priesthood.

List of Colors in the Bible and Their Meanings

What is the color of God?
  • Amber – Glory of God, judgment upon sin, endurance
  • Orange – Fire of God, deliverance, passionate praise
  • Pink/Fuchsia – Right relationship with God
  • Scarlet – Royalty, fine linen for tabernacle
  • Red – Blood of Jesus, love of God, blood of lamb, atonement, salvation
  • Blue – Heaven, the Holy Spirit, authority
  • Purple – Priesthood, kingship, royalty, mediator, wealth
  • Gold – Glory, divinity, kingship, eternal deity, foundation, altar, beauty, precious, holiness, majesty, righteousness
  • Wine – New birth, multiply, overflow
  • Sapphire – Law, commandments, grace, the Holy Spirit, divine revelation
  • Turquoise – River of God, sanctification, healing, New Jerusalem
  • Green – Praise, growth, prosperity, new beginning, flourishing, restoration
  • Silver – Word of God, purity, divinity, salvation, truth, atonement, redemption
  • White – Bride of Christ, surrender, harvest, light, righteousness, conquest, victory, blessedness, joy, angels, saints, peace, completion, triumph
  • Brown – End of season, rags, people, pride, weary, faint
  • Yellow – Faith and Glory of God, anointing, joy
  • Black – Darkness, sin, Earth, affliction, humiliation, calamity, death, mourning

For more details on biblical color meanings in dreams, click here.