Biblical Meaning of Yellow: Symbolism and Significance in Scripture

Yellow is a color that has been used throughout history to represent a variety of things, from joy and happiness to sickness and disease. In the Bible, yellow is mentioned several times and has a significant meaning that is worth exploring. Understanding the biblical significance of yellow can help us gain a deeper appreciation for the symbolism and metaphors used in the Scriptures.

In the Old Testament, yellow is used to describe the glory of Israel when they entered the Promised Land. It was also used to diagnose whether a person had leprosy and needed to be quarantined. In the New Testament, yellow is associated with faith, God’s anointing, and the presence of God. It is considered a symbol of joy and is often used to represent the Glory of God.

As we explore the biblical meaning of yellow, we will discover how this color is used in prophetic and apocalyptic literature, dreams, and other forms of biblical imagery and metaphors. We will also learn how to interpret yellow in its biblical context and gain a deeper understanding of the symbolism and significance of this color in the Scriptures.

Biblical Significance of Yellow

Yellow is a color that appears a few times in the Bible and is often associated with joy, faith, and the presence of God. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word “tsahob” is used to describe the color yellow. This word is mentioned in Leviticus 13:30, where it refers to the color of the skin of a person with a skin disease. The other Hebrew word for yellow is “charuts,” which is used in Psalm 68:13 to describe the wings of a dove.

In the New Testament, yellow is not mentioned specifically, but it is often associated with gold, which is mentioned frequently. Gold is a precious metal that is often used in the Bible to represent God’s holiness, divine nature, and majesty. It is also associated with the gifts of the Magi to the baby Jesus.

Yellow is also associated with anointing in the Bible. In the Old Testament, oil was used to anoint kings and priests, and this oil was often mixed with spices that gave it a yellow color. This anointing was a sign of God’s approval and blessing.

However, it is important to note that the Bible does not make any specific claims about the meaning of the color yellow. Rather, the significance of yellow in the Bible is derived from its associations with joy, faith, the presence of God, and anointing.

Yellow in The Old Testament

Yellow in Leviticus

In Leviticus, yellow is mentioned in reference to leprosy. The priest was to examine the person with leprosy and if the hair in the infected area had turned yellow, it was a sign of the disease being in an advanced stage. The person would then be declared unclean and isolated from the community until they were healed.

Yellow in Ezekiel

In Ezekiel, yellow is mentioned in reference to the glory of God. The prophet describes seeing a vision of God’s throne, which was surrounded by a rainbow that looked like a yellowish-green emerald. This vision symbolized the majesty and power of God.

Yellow is also associated with gold in the Bible, which represents God’s holiness and divine nature. In the Old Testament, Solomon had the Temple built and overlaid in gold, even down to the priest’s utensils. At Jesus’ birth, one of the gifts He received was gold.

Overall, yellow in the Old Testament represents both physical and spiritual aspects. It can represent disease and impurity, as well as the glory and majesty of God.

Yellow in The New Testament

Yellow is not as frequently mentioned in the New Testament as it is in the Old Testament. However, there are a few instances where the color yellow is referenced in the Bible.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus is described as having a face that shone like the sun. This could be interpreted as a reference to the color yellow, as the sun is often depicted as yellow. Additionally, in the book of Revelation, it is said that the feet of the glorified Christ were like burnished bronze, which could also be interpreted as a yellowish color.

Another instance where yellow is mentioned in the New Testament is in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In this parable, the rich man is described as wearing purple and fine linen, while Lazarus is described as being covered in sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. It is interesting to note that the word used to describe the sores on Lazarus’ body is the Greek word “helkos,” which can also be translated as “yellowish.” This could be interpreted as a symbolic representation of the sickness and disease that Lazarus was suffering from.

Overall, while yellow is not as prominent in the New Testament as it is in the Old Testament, there are still a few instances where it is mentioned. These references can be interpreted in a variety of ways and may hold different meanings for different readers.

Symbolism of Yellow in Biblical Dreams

Yellow is a color that appears in many dreams and visions in the Bible. It is often associated with joy, happiness, and the presence of God. In biblical times, yellow was a symbol of the fulfillment of prophecies, and it represented the gloriousness of ancient Israel as the Israelites entered the Promised Land.

In dreams, the color yellow can convey God’s anointing and blessing. It can also represent purification and the removal of impurities from one’s life. Yellow can symbolize the light of God and the illumination of truth in one’s life.

However, it is important to note that the color yellow can also have negative connotations in dreams. It can represent sickness and disease, as well as immaturity and lack of growth. It is important to interpret the color yellow in the context of the dream and to seek guidance from God in understanding its meaning.

In summary, the color yellow in biblical dreams can represent joy, God’s presence, anointing, and blessing. It can also represent purification and the removal of impurities from one’s life. However, it is important to interpret the color yellow in the context of the dream and to seek guidance from God in understanding its meaning.

Color Yellow in Prophetic and Apocalyptic Literature

In the Bible, the color yellow is often associated with the fulfillment of prophecies. The book of Revelation mentions a rider on a pale horse whose name is Death, and Hades follows him. The color of the horse is described as pale, which in Greek is chloros, meaning “greenish-yellow.” This color is associated with sickness and death, which is fitting for the context of the passage.

Yellow is also mentioned in the book of Daniel, where the prophet sees a vision of a man clothed in linen with a belt of fine gold around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude. This description shows that the color yellow is often associated with precious metals and the glory of God.

In addition, the book of Exodus describes the construction of the tabernacle, which was made with gold, silver, and bronze. These metals were used to create the altar, the lampstand, and other furnishings. The color yellow is often associated with these metals, which were highly valued for their beauty and workability.

Overall, the color yellow in prophetic and apocalyptic literature is often associated with the fulfillment of prophecies, the glory of God, and precious metals such as gold. Its association with sickness and death also adds a somber note to its symbolism.

Yellow in Biblical Imagery and Metaphors

Yellow is a color that appears several times in the Bible, and it carries significant symbolic and spiritual meanings. In biblical imagery, yellow is often associated with light, joy, and God’s presence. Here are some examples of how yellow is used in the Bible:

• In the book of Exodus, God commands the Israelites to make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand was to have six branches, with three on each side, and each branch was to have three cups shaped like almond blossoms, with a knob and a flower. The lampstand was to be made of one talent of pure gold, and it was to be used to light the tabernacle. The lampstand is a symbol of God’s presence, and the gold represents His holiness.

• In the book of Revelation, John sees a vision of the risen Christ, who is described as having hair like wool and eyes like flames of fire. His feet are like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice is like the sound of many waters. In His right hand, He holds seven stars, and out of His mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword. His face is shining like the sun, and His clothes are as white as snow. The vision of Christ is a symbol of His glory and majesty, and the yellow color represents His radiance and brilliance.

• In the book of Psalms, David writes, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). The word “light” here is a metaphor for God’s presence and guidance, and the yellow color represents His illuminating power.

• In the book of Matthew, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). Jesus is using the metaphor of light to encourage His followers to be a positive influence on the world, and the yellow color represents the joy and hope that comes from following Him.

Overall, the color yellow in biblical imagery and metaphors represents God’s presence, radiance, and joy. It is a symbol of His illuminating power and glory, and it encourages believers to shine their light in the world and share the good news of His love and salvation.

Interpreting Yellow in Biblical Context

Yellow is a color that appears in the Bible on several occasions. It is used to symbolize different things, depending on the context. In this section, we will explore the different interpretations of yellow in the Bible.

One of the most common interpretations of yellow in the Bible is that it represents joy. Yellow is a bright and cheerful color, and it is often associated with happiness and positivity. In the Bible, yellow is used to describe the joy that comes from God’s presence. For example, in Psalm 68:13, we read: “Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” Here, the yellow gold represents the joy and blessings that come from God.

Another interpretation of yellow in the Bible is that it represents the anointing of God. The anointing is a symbol of God’s blessing and power, and it is often associated with oil. In the Bible, yellow is used to describe the oil of anointing. For example, in Exodus 30:23-25, we read: “Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.” Here, the yellow oil represents the anointing of God.

Finally, yellow is also used in the Bible to represent the glory of God. The glory of God is the manifestation of His presence and power, and it is often associated with light. In the Bible, yellow is used to describe the glory of God. For example, in Ezekiel 1:4-5, we read: “And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.” Here, the yellow amber represents the glory of God.

Summarizing, yellow is a color that appears in the Bible on several occasions, and it is used to symbolize different things, including joy, the anointing of God, and the glory of God. Understanding the symbolic meaning of yellow in the Bible can help us to better understand the nature of God and His relationship with us.

Conclusion

Yellow is a color that appears many times in the Bible and carries significant symbolism. Through our exploration of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, we can see that yellow is often associated with God’s glory, anointing, and presence. It is also linked to joy and happiness.

We learned that yellow is frequently used interchangeably with gold, which represents God’s holiness, divine nature, and majesty. This connection between yellow and gold further emphasizes the importance of the color in biblical symbolism.

Yellow is also linked to various natural elements, such as fire, oil, and honey, which are used in various contexts throughout the Bible. These elements provide additional layers of meaning to the color, such as purification, illumination, and sweetness.

Overall, the biblical meaning of yellow is multifaceted and rich in symbolism. It represents God’s glory, anointing, and presence, as well as joy and happiness. By understanding the significance of this color in the Bible, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the spiritual messages conveyed through scripture.