Colors
108 passages listed in Nave’s Topical Bible and Torrey’s New Topical Textbook. Verse text: Berean Standard Bible; links open in your translation.
11 sections
- Black: A Symbol of Affliction and Calamity
- Blue: Symbol of Deity
- Blue: Symbol of Deity: Symbol of Royalty
- Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas of Iniquity
- Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas of Royalty
- Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas: Conquest
- Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas: Prosperity
- Scriptures Employing the Symbol
- These Colors Figured Largely in the Symbolisms of the Tabernacle Furnishing
- White: Symbol of Holiness: Choir Singers Were Arrayed in White
- White: Symbol of Holiness: The High Priest's Holy Garments Were Made of White Linen
Black: A Symbol of Affliction and Calamity
- Job 3:5 May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it.
- Job 10:20–22 Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort, …
- Job 30:26 But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness fell.
- Psalm 107:10–11 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, …
- Psalm 143:3 For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
- Isaiah 5:30 In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.
- Isaiah 8:22 Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.
- Isaiah 9:19 By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother.
- Isaiah 24:11 In the streets they cry out for wine. All joy turns to gloom; rejoicing is exiled from the land.
- Isaiah 50:3 I clothe the heavens in black and make sackcloth their covering.”
- Joel 2:6 Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.
- Joel 2:10 Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.
- Joel 3:14–15 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. …
- Amos 5:8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth — the LORD is His name —
- Nahum 2:10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!
- Zephaniah 1:14–15 The great Day of the LORD is near — near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. …
- Matthew 8:12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
- Matthew 22:13 Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
- Matthew 25:30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
- 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
- Jude 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
- Revelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish
Blue: Symbol of Deity
- Exodus 24:10 and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.
- Exodus 25:3–4 This is the offering you are to accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; …
- Exodus 26:1 “You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.
- Exodus 28:28 The rings of the breastpiece shall be tied to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece is above the waistband of the ephod and does not swing out from the ephod.
- Exodus 28:37 Fasten to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.
- Exodus 38:18 The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high,
- Exodus 39:1–5 From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn they made specially woven garments for ministry in the sanctuary, as well as the holy garments for Aaron, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. …
- Exodus 39:21 Then they tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece was above the waistband of the ephod and would not swing out from the ephod, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Exodus 39:24 They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen on the lower hem of the robe.
- Exodus 39:29 and the sash of finely spun linen, embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Exodus 39:31 Then they fastened to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Numbers 4:5–12 Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. …
- Numbers 15:38–40 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. …
- 2 Chronicles 2:7 Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.
- 2 Chronicles 2:14 He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in work with gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple, blue, and crimson yarn, and fine linen. He is experienced …
- 2 Chronicles 3:14 He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim woven into it.
- Jeremiah 10:9 Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz — the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers.
- Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.
- Ezekiel 10:1 And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire.
Blue: Symbol of Deity: Symbol of Royalty
- Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
- Ezekiel 23:6 clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds.
Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas of Iniquity
- Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
- Revelation 17:3–4 And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. …
- Revelation 18:12 cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
- Revelation 18:16 saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!
Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas of Royalty
- Judges 8:26 The weight of the gold earrings he had requested was 1,700 shekels, in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple garments of the kings of Midian, and the chains from the necks of their camels.
- Daniel 5:7 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a …
- Daniel 5:16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain …
- Daniel 5:29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
- Matthew 27:28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas: Conquest
- Nahum 2:3 The shields of his mighty men are red; the valiant warriors are dressed in scarlet. The fittings of the chariots flash like fire on the day they are prepared, and the spears of cypress have been brandished.
- Revelation 12:3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.
Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas: Prosperity
- 2 Samuel 1:24 O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and luxury, who decked your garments with ornaments of gold.
- Proverbs 31:21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
- Lamentations 4:5 Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those brought up in crimson huddle in ash heaps.
Scriptures Employing the Symbol
- Psalm 51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
- Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.
- Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
- Daniel 7:9 As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
- Daniel 11:35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
- Daniel 12:10 Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.
- Matthew 17:1–2 After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. …
- Matthew 28:2–3 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. …
- Mark 9:3 His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them.
- Revelation 1:13–14 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. …
- Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
- Revelation 3:4–5 But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white. …
- Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
- Revelation 4:4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.
- Revelation 6:2 So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.
- Revelation 6:11 Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.
- 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.
- Revelation 7:13–14 Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” …
- Revelation 15:6 And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean and bright linen and girded with golden sashes around their chests.
- Revelation 19:8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
- Revelation 19:14 The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.
- Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
These Colors Figured Largely in the Symbolisms of the Tabernacle Furnishing
- Exodus 25:3–5 This is the offering you are to accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; …
- Exodus 26:1 “You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.
- Exodus 26:14 Also make a covering for the tent out of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather.
- Exodus 26:31 Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
- Exodus 26:36 For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen.
- Exodus 36:8 All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them.
- Exodus 36:19 Additionally, he made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather.
- Exodus 36:35 Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
- Exodus 36:37 For the entrance to the tent, he made a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen,
- Exodus 27:16 The gate of the courtyard shall be twenty cubits long, with a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It shall have four posts and four bases.
- Exodus 28:4–8 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests. …
- Exodus 28:15 You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
- Exodus 28:31 You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,
- Exodus 28:33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them,
- Exodus 35:5–7 Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; …
- Exodus 35:23 Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, or articles of fine leather, brought them.
- Exodus 35:25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun: blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen.
- Exodus 35:35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and as weavers — as artistic designers of every kind of craft.
- Exodus 38:18 The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high,
- Exodus 38:23 With him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, designer, and embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen.
- Exodus 39:2–3 Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. …
- Exodus 39:5 And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod was of one piece with the ephod, of the same workmanship — with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Exodus 39:29 and the sash of finely spun linen, embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Leviticus 14:4 the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed.
- Leviticus 14:6 And he is to take the live bird together with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, and dip them into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water.
- Leviticus 14:49 He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house;
- Leviticus 14:51–52 Then he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, dip them in the blood of the slaughtered bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times. …
- Numbers 4:7–8 Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and place the plates and cups on it, along with the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to remain on it. …
- Numbers 4:13 Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it,
- Numbers 19:2 “This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke.
- Numbers 19:5–6 Then the heifer must be burned in his sight. Its hide, its flesh, and its blood are to be burned, along with its dung. …
- Isaiah 63:1–3 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” …
- Hebrews 9:19–23 For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, …
White: Symbol of Holiness: Choir Singers Were Arrayed in White
- 2 Chronicles 5:12 all the Levitical singers — Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives — stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.
White: Symbol of Holiness: The High Priest's Holy Garments Were Made of White Linen
- Leviticus 16:4 He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.
- Leviticus 16:32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments
Related topics
BadgerSkin for Covering the Tabernacle
Topics: Nave’s Topical Bible (1896) and Torrey’s New Topical Textbook (1897), public domain, via the Berean Bible topical index.