The Bible does not directly mention the color “amber” by name. However, there are several references to materials and objects in scripture that may imply an amber color. Determining if amber is truly referenced requires looking at the original Hebrew and Greek words, as well as the cultural context of the passages. By analyzing key verses and passages, we can gain insight into whether the warm golden-yellow hue of amber is present in the pages of scripture.
Examining Potential Amber References
Several verses contain words that may indicate an amber color, such as references to honey, resin, brass, and bdellium. Looking closely at the original languages and context provides clues about whether these objects would have had an amber tone.
Honey
One potential amber reference is the description of honey in the Bible. The Promised Land was described as “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). The Hebrew word used for honey is “debash”, referring to the honey produced by bees from plant nectar. Pure honey has a thick, sticky texture and a warm golden color ranging from pale yellow to amber. The rich amber color of natural honey makes it a possible indicator of the amber hue.
Resin
Amber is fossilized tree resin, so Biblical mentions of tree resin may imply an amber color. The Hebrew term “tzori” refers to the resin of trees like pine, cedar, and terebinth (Isaiah 41:19). Fresh resin is pale yellow but darkens over time. Ancient resin or amber may have had a golden-yellow amber color. However, the resin could cover a range of yellowish hues, so the presence of resin only tentatively suggests amber.
Brass
References to brass objects in the Bible may also indicate an amber hue. In ancient Israel, true brass was rare so “nechosheth” actually refers to a range of copper alloys. These alloys produced shiny golden colors ranging from reddish to yellowish brown. The shimmering golden color of ancient “brass” suggests it may have shared tones with amber, though specifics are difficult to determine.
Bdellium
One of the clearer amber references is the “bdellium” described in Genesis. Bdellium was mentioned as a precious gum resin from trees in the Havilah region (Genesis 2:12). The Hebrew “bedolach” refers to a yellowish, transparent gum resin. Strong evidence suggests this bdellium was a tree resin related to myrrh, which has a amber-golden color. This indicates amber tones were known in ancient Israel.
Amber in Ancient Civilizations
Looking at how amber was viewed in ancient cultures provides additional context about amber references in the Bible. Archaeological evidence indicates amber’s significance in the ancient Near East.
Ancient Egypt
In Egypt, amber was associated with the sun gods for its golden solar hue. Egyptian pharaohs were buried with amber jewelry and objects as a sign of status and connection with divinity. The ancient Egyptian obsession with amber reveals how prized its luminous amber color was in the ancient Near East.
Phoenicians
As expert sailors and traders, the Phoenicians controlled the amber trade routes in the Mediterranean during Biblical times. Phoenician caravans likely transported Baltic amber to Egypt and the Levant. The Phoenicians’ lively amber commerce shows the gemstone was widely known and valued for its unique golden glow in the Biblical kingdoms.
Anatolia and Greece
Anatolian and Greek civilizations also prized amber for its beauty and medicinal properties. Amber beads and pendants from Anatolian tombs indicate amber’s role in ancient rituals and afterlife beliefs. In Greece, amber was connected to the sun by Pythagoras and others for its solar color. Across the Mediterranean, amber symbolized eternal life in the realms of gods and spirits.
Amber Imagery in Scripture
Though not directly named, amber’s radiance seems echoed through the Bible’s poetic descriptions of golden, fiery, and luminous objects and images. The flashing eyes of angels, glowing coals, and brilliant lamp stands depict divine glory using possible allusions to amber’s brilliant luminosity.
Flashing Eyes
Descriptions of angels highlight their piercing eyes with amber-like fire and brilliance. The angel in Daniel 10 has eyes “like flaming torches” (Daniel 10:6). Revelation describes Christ with eyes “like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14). The amber glow of flaming golden eyes conveys divine splendor and spiritual intensity.
Glowing Coals
References to glowing coals and embers also evoke amber. Isaiah’s vision pictures angels with tongs and coals “taken from the altar” (Isaiah 6:6). Amber carefully warmed glows softly like fiery coals. Glowing embers symbolized God’s purifying presence, evoking amber’s luminous radiance.
Lamp Stands
Golden lamp stands feature heavily in the Tabernacle and Temple as well as prophetic visions. The menorah’s seven flames represent the fullness of God’s Spirit. The gleaming golden color and eternally lit fire connect amber with the majesty of the divine light. Amber embodies the lamp stand’s inextinguishable golden glow.
Amber in Heavenly Visions
The luminosity of amber seems clearly reflected in the brilliant hues described in prophets’ visions of God’s heavenly throne room. The gleaming precious stones, glowing rainbow, and brilliant gold all use amber-like colors to depict divine glory.
Precious Stones
In Ezekiel 1, God’s throne glows with amber and gold: “like the appearance of amber…from what looked like the loins up I saw a gleam like amber” (Ezekiel 1:27). The crystalline brilliance of amber radiates God’s majesty. Later in Ezekiel 28, amber gains messianic meaning in the new Eden: “every precious stone was your covering-carnelian, chrysolite, emerald, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, carbuncle, and amber” (Ezekiel 28:13).
Glowing Rainbow
Revelation’s vision of God’s throne contains a rainbow “like an emerald in appearance” (Revelation 4:3). Emeralds range from rich grassy green to golden green with amber hues. The glowing rainbow’s jewel-like tones depict heavenly glory. The inclusion of amber-green emeralds links God’s majesty with amber’s glowing fire.
Streets of Gold
The New Jerusalem contains streets of pure gold “like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21). The blazing clarity of illuminated amber is echoed in the shining golden streets. The fiery amber glow reflects the radiant purity surrounding God’s presence. Amber epitomizes the brilliant transparency of heaven’s gold.
Conclusion
Though not directly named, the warm golden-yellow color of amber seems symbolically referenced throughout scripture. Glowing honey, flashing eyes, fiery coals, and transparent gold all reflect amber’s solar luminosity. By looking closely at ancient artifacts and contexts, amber’s presence becomes apparent through associated materials like resin and bdellium. The Biblical authors used amber’s brilliance to convey divine attributes like glory, holiness, and eternity. Amber’s glowing essence captured the imagination of ancient societies and continues to illuminate the scriptures today. While not directly labeled, amber’s radiance shines through symbolically as a glimpse of heaven’s glory.
