Blue: God's Color of Favor
- James Collazo
- Nov 13, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Introduction
If the Bible has a color most closely associated with God's favor, it is blue; in this sense, blue may be understood as God's "favorite color." The biblical concept of favor (Hebrew: chen, H2580) describes God's gracious acceptance of his people, and Israel is repeatedly identified as his chosen and treasured possession (Deut. 7:6; 10:15; 14:2; 26:18). Blue is the primary embroidery on Jewish prayer shawls (Hebrew: tallit, from the verb talal, "to cover over," H2926), the interwoven threads of their fringes (Hebrew: tzitzit, H6734), and the modern Israeli flag. Scripture also associates blue with even more symbolism, particularly in relation to God. Blue is the color of the sky, and the sapphire pavement beneath God's feet (Exod. 24:10).
The prophet Ezekiel describes God's throne as resembling the finest lapis lazuli (Ezek. 1:26, 10:1). Throughout the biblical narrative, blue becomes a recurring symbol of God's holy presence and covenant relationship with his people. Blue adorned the curtains of the tabernacle and later the temple. During Israel's wilderness journey, they covered the sacred furniture and utensils with blue cloths whenever they transported them (Num. 4:5–14). Its repeated appearance in the sanctuary, priestly garments, and clothing of the Israelite people connected blue with the holiness of God and the covenant identity of his people.
Biblical Vocabulary of Blue
The Hebrew word most closely associated with biblical blue is techelet (H8504). The term refers to the blue dye used throughout the descriptions of the tabernacle, priestly garments, and Israel's ritual fringes. Producing techelet was a costly, specialized process, and the dye was historically obtained from a marine mollusk that many modern researchers identify as Hexaplex trunculus. Its use in Israel's worship made it a color associated with sacred objects, the priesthood, and God's dwelling among his people. Another important Hebrew term is tzitzit (H6734), referring to the fringes or tassels attached to the corners of Israelite garments. God commanded the Israelites to place a blue cord among these fringes: "Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel" (Num. 15:38b).
The relationship between techelet and tzitzit became especially important in Jewish tradition. The blue thread served as a visual reminder of God's commandments and Israel's covenant identity. The biblical descriptions of the tabernacle repeatedly place blue alongside purple and crimson. These colors were woven into the sanctuary's curtains and coverings and incorporated into the priests' garments (Exod. 25:4; 26:1; 28:5–6; 39:1–31). Blue was therefore not merely decorative. It was incorporated into objects and garments associated with Israel's worship and with God's dwelling among his people.
The Babylonian Talmud further explains:
What is different about techelet from all other colors that led to its selection for the mitzva [i.e., commandment] of ritual fringes? It is because techelet is similar in its color to the sea. The sea is similar to the sky, and the sky is similar to the throne of glory, as it is stated: "They saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness" (Exod. 24:10 RSV), indicating that the sky is like a sapphire brickwork (b. Men. 43b:13).
Blue and the Kingdom of Priests
When God met the Israelites after bringing them out of Egypt, he told them to make the Tent of Meeting. It was decorated with blue, crimson (also rendered as "scarlet"), and purple threads, along with furniture and golden utensils. God instructed his priests, the descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Levi, to wear garments incorporating blue. The robe worn beneath the ephod was entirely blue (Exod. 28:31–35). Many interpreters understand this distinction as preserving the unique holiness associated with the priestly garments and the tabernacle furnishings (Exod. 25:4; 39:1–31). God forbade the Israelites from wearing wool and linen together (Lev. 19:19; Deut. 22:11).
God also instructed all the Israelites to attach fringes to their garments, including a blue cord among the fringes. Symbolically, the blue threads reminded them of God and their need to obey his commandments (Num. 15:37–41). Israel served as God's kingdom of priests, representing him among the nations. However, Aaron's descendants served as Israel's priests, while the other Levites assisted in the service of the sanctuary. Israel's calling as a kingdom of priests did not mean that every Israelite served as a priest. Perhaps this was the reasoning of Korah when he said, "You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?" (Num. 16:3). God judged Korah and his co-conspirators in their rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Num. 16:23–50).
Scarlet Harlot Without Blue
Much of Revelation revisits Old Testament themes, suggesting that the past informs the present and the future. Christians often overlook the significance of the colors depicted in the imagery of the great harlot of Babylon. In contrast to the furnishings and golden utensils of the tabernacle and the Jerusalem temple, which featured blue, crimson, and purple, the great harlot is clothed in scarlet and purple and holds a golden cup (Rev. 17:4). One possible explanation for the omission is that blue throughout Scripture is often associated with God's presence and covenant faithfulness. Blue also evokes the heavens, reminding readers of God's covenant faithfulness and sovereign rule over creation.
The heavens testify to God's wisdom and sovereignty, reminding us that both his revealed will and the created order ultimately point to Christ, the eternal Word (Greek: Logos, G3056; cf. John 1:1). The imagery suggests a religious community that appears outwardly faithful while rejecting God's covenant. The devil's anti-church follows his anti-Messiah (i.e., antichrist), a corrupt antithesis of the church as the bride of Christ (Luke 5:34–35; Eph. 5:31–32). For this reason, Paul described the coming opponent of God as the "man of lawlessness" (2 Thess. 2:3), whom Christians have traditionally associated with the antichrist. Scripture presents the pseudo-church as a harlot because she pretends to be faithful to God's law while committing adultery, idolatry, and fornication.
Blue and the Royal Priesthood
The apostle Peter wrote, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Pet. 2:9). Just as Israel was chosen and treasured by God, those who belong to Christ are likewise called a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and God's special possession. In this context, Peter applies Israel's royal-priesthood language to those who belong to Christ. This idea does not mean the church exists without leadership or appointed authority, as God condemned Korah and his followers for rebelling against Moses and Aaron. Priesthood means that Jesus calls all believers to represent him and minister to the world. As Gentiles, we are wild branches that God grafts into the olive tree of Israel (Rom. 11:17–24). We are incorporated into the body of Christ through the incarnate, only-begotten Son, who took on human flesh and blood. Traditionally, many Christian artists have depicted Jesus in blue and red to emphasize his dual nature—both divine and human. The church encompasses the blue of heaven and the red of the earth, while reflecting God's wealth of gold and royalty of purple. We represent the kingdom of heaven in the world, citizens who transcend the temporal boundaries of politics and culture.
Bibliography
Monographs
Bornstein, Daniel E., ed. Medieval Christianity. Vol. 4 of A People's History of Christianity. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009.
Sagiv, Gadi. Jewish Blues: A History of a Color in Judaism—Jewish Culture and Contexts. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2023.
Sterman, Baruch, and Judy Taubes Sterman. The Rarest Blue: The Remarkable Story of an Ancient Color Lost to History and Rediscovered. Guilford, CT: Lyons, 2012.
Reference Works
Hirsch, Emil G., and Caspar Levias. "Color."↗ The Jewish Encyclopedia.
Online Resources
Deren, Yisrael, ed. "Tekhelet: The Mystery of the Long-Lost Biblical Blue Thread."↗ Chabad.
Eden, Ami, ed. "Tallit (The Prayer Shawl)."↗ My Jewish Learning.
Ngo, Robin. "Bible History Daily: What Color Was Tekhelet?"↗ Biblical Archaeology Society. September 11, 2025.
Tumino, Melissa. "The Ultimate Guide to the Biblical Meaning of Colors."↗ Think About Such Things (blog). 2020.
Tverberg, Lois. "Letting Our Tassels Show."↗ Our Rabbi Jesus (blog). August 25, 2013.
Tverberg, Lois. "What's So Wrong with Mixing Wool and Linen?"↗ Our Rabbi Jesus (blog). July 2, 2013.
Liturgical Resources
Boling, Ruth L. Come Worship with Me: A Journey Through the Church Year. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2010.
