Black

In the Bible, the word “black” translates five Hebrew words in the Old Testament and one Greek word in the New Testament. These words describe different degrees of darkness.

The words describe the color of:

• lambs (Genesis 30:32–33, 35, 40),

• hair (Leviticus 13:31, 37; Song of Solomon 5:11; Matthew 5:36),

• skin (Job 30:30),

• horses (Zechariah 6:2, 6; Revelation 6:5),

• a dark sky (1 Kings 18:45; Isaiah 50:3; Jeremiah 4:28),

• a dark day (Job 3:5; Micah 3:6),

• the sun becoming dark (Revelation 6:12), and

• an invading army (Joel 2:2).

Job’s “blackness” in Job 30:28 may refer to disease or deep sadness.

See also Color.