The Colour Black in the Bible
Famine, mourning, and the darkness of judgment.
The colour black in the Bible is the colour of famine, mourning, and judgment — the third horseman rides a black horse bearing the scales of scarcity, and the sun is darkened in the day of the Lord.
Key KJV Verses
"...and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand."
"Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets..."
"...the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:"
Famine and grief
Black skin from hunger and blackened heavens picture the consequences of sin — scarcity, sorrow, and the withdrawal of God's light.
The third horseman
Revelation 6 sets a black horse alongside the white, red, and pale — famine following war on the road to final judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does black symbolize in the Bible?
Famine, mourning, and the darkness associated with God's judgments.
What is the black horse of Revelation?
The rider with the balances — a vision of severe scarcity and economic distress.
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