Symbolic Nature of Yellow in the Bible
The Bible is full of powerful symbols and stories, and ‘yellow’ is no different. Some scholars believe that the color was originally a symbol of joy, life, goodness and hope. Others hold that yellow is used to symbolize sorrow and mourning, indicative of painful situations and endings. In the Bible, yellow appears in literary and theological contexts and can carry multiple interpretations, depending on individual context and reference.
In the Bible, yellow is often associated with matters of faith, spiritual lessons and prophecies. In typology, the color ‘yellow’ was often used to symbolize essential and foundational aspects of faith in Christianity and Judaism. It is believed that the Old Testament was the first to introduce and explore the meaning of yellow in religious context, as divine messengers were seen wrapped in yellow robes or garb, or as sin being covered with a yellow cloth.
In many cases, color symbolism in the Bible is tied to the physical world. For example, when the dust of the earth was seen turning to yellow, it symbolized upheaval and destruction. In another instance, yellow was tied to the fall of Jericho, symbolizing God’s power and ability to bring about destruction. As such, yellow is often associated with transition, transformation and change in the Bible.
Yellow as a Sign of Mourning and Death
In the Bible, yellow is often used as a sign of mourning and death. In the book of Joel, the prophet wrote of a period of mourning, saying ‘”Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” In this passage, the words “rend” and “mourning” are often associated with the color yellow.
In the book of Chronicles, the color ‘yellow’ was often used to indicate sorrow and mourning for the rise and fall of kings. During the time of Josiah’s reign, the people wept, “and have rent their clothes, and have made ashes on their head, and have sat in sackcloth and fasteth, and have made a covenant with the Lord, saying, Let us now turn to the Lord out God,” as it was understood that Josiah’s reign was a time of great sorrow.
In Ecclesiastes, the writer contemplates the ephemeral nature of life, saying, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity. Then remember of days past, and consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. All of them were swaddled in sackcloth, covered in dust and ashen clay, in mourning and silence.” In this passage, the phrase “sackcloth” and “ashen clay” were both associated with the color yellow.
Naomi and Ruth With Yellow Cloth
In the book of Ruth, Naomi and Ruth are seen wearing yellow garments. The story of Ruth and Naomi is a powerful example of self-sacrifice, loyalty and unconditional love. Naomi and Ruth were both struck with poverty and had to rely on each other for physical support. In this passage, Naomi says, “Wear that dress, my daughter, which thou hast brought with honour; for his face must be covered with a yellow garment,” as a symbol of her deep love and loyalty for her daughter-in-law, Ruth.
The use of yellow in this passage could also be seen as a sign of hope, as it symbolizes a transformation from despair to life. The yellow garments worn by the two women were a sign of their resilience and hope in the face of tribulation, a symbol that their strength enabled them to survive despite the situation.
Moses and Yellow Flakes
In the book of Exodus, Moses is commanded to bring down a yellow shimmering stone, popularly known as the “glittering stone.” The stone was a symbol of the glory of God, and of His divine presence. The stone was placed in the Tabernacle, as a sign of both His protection and authority.
The yellow of the stone also symbolizes faith and peace, and a sign of God’s favor and favoritism towards the Israelites. It is believed that the sparkle of the yellow stone could be seen from a distance, signifying for God’s power and promise of divine intervention.
Joseph’s Yellow Garment
In the book of Genesis, Joseph is gifted with a yellow robe and is freed from prison. The robe was a symbol of his purity, innocence, and faithfulness to God. The yellow robe could signify Joseph’s righteousness and his acceptance by his brothers.
The robe was also a sign of Christian faith, as it was placed on Joseph’s body as a garment. By dressing Joseph in a symbolic garment, his faith and status were confirmed, and he was able to take his rightful place among the other Israelites.
Yellow as a Sign of Patience and Light
In the book of Proverbs, the sage speaks of the golden age, saying, “He that waits upon the Lord shall renew his strength: he shall mount up as with eagle’s wings. He shall run and not be weary; and shall walk, and not faint.” The phrase “he that waits upon the Lord,” often associates yellow with patience and a sense of light in dark times, as it symbolizes God’s presence in the time of need.
The yellow in this passage could also be seen as a sign of life and of a new beginning, as it speaks to the renewal of strength and a resurrection of hopes and dreams. As such, by understanding the multi-faceted meaning of the color yellow in the Bible, readers can gain insight into the symbolic and spiritual nature of the narrative.
Yellow as a Portrayal of Oppression
In the book of Job, the protagonist is bound in yellow clothes, as a sign of oppression and ruin. The yellow robes are a symbol of his wrongful position, as it indicates Job’s suffering and fall from grace. By being clothed in a yellow robe, Job’s sins are publicly exposed, as if he were an animal that needed to be caged and contained.
The yellow garment is also a symbol of poverty- those who do not have a confidante, those without protection, those who are without strength. The color yellow in this passage serves as a reminder of the gravity of Job’s predicament, as it was a symbol of his oppressive and challenging times.
Yellow as a Sign of Purification
In the book of Psalms, yellow is often seen as a sign of purification and cleansing. The Lord encourages his followers to wash themselves in the colors of yellow and red, as a sign of the desire of their hearts being cleansed. He says “wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”
The phrase “whiter than snow” is often associated with yellow, as it is seen as a sign of hope and redemption from suffering. By being washed in the colors of yellow and red, the Psalmist was being purified and cleansed for a new beginning.
Yellow as a Sign of the Holy Spirit
The Bible also speaks of yellow as a sign of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts, the disciples received the Holy Spirit and were suddenly filled with power that was symbolized by the colors of fire, including red, yellow and white. The colors of the flames were a sign of God’s presence and divine healing, as they enabled the disciples to preach and heal the sick.
The colors of the flames could also be seen as a spiritual transformation, enabling a transformation of thought and life to give glory to God. The colors of fire in this story symbolizes movement from darkness to light, as the healing and purifying power of the Holy Ghost was shown to be greater than any thing else in the world.
Animal Symbolism of Yellow in the Bible
In the book of Leviticus, yellow animals were seen as a sign of God’s holiness and purity. Yellow has long been associated with the divine, and this is seen in the biblical passages that describe the holy animals, such as the bullock, coneys, deer, and lamb. The holiness of these animals was seen as a sign of God’s presence and protection.
The lamb was seen as the ultimate symbol of holiness, representing the power and holiness of the Lord. By sacrificing a lamb, the Israelites were showing admiration and respect for their Lord, acknowledging His supremacy in their lives. As such, the use of yellow in animal symbolism in the Bible represents the divine and the power of faith.
Conclusion of Yellow in the Bible
In conclusion, the color yellow is an intense and powerful symbol in the Bible. It is often associated with matters of faith, spiritual lessons and prophecies, as well as with mourning and death. Yellow is also seen as a symbol of hope, joy and life, and is tied to God’s power, His divine presence and intervention.
In literary and theological contexts, yellow is seen as a sign of transformation, redemption and purification. It is a sign of oppression and ruin, as well as of patience and light in dark times. The presence of yellow in the Bible has a great symbolic power and can be used to help readers and scholars gain insight into the spiritual and divine nature of the Bible and the narrative within.
