Indigo is a deep blue color that has symbolic meaning in the Bible. In the Bible, indigo represents royalty, wealth, and riches. It’s associated with fine linens, priestly garments, tabernacle furnishings, and kingly robes.
Indigo dye was highly valuable in biblical times and used to color the fabrics of the tabernacle, temple, and priestly garments. The deep, rich color signified the luxury and majesty of God. Indigo symbolizes the vast expense and care that went into constructing the tabernacle and temple as worship spaces for God.
Here’s an overview of the symbolic meaning of indigo in key places throughout Scripture:
Indigo in the Tabernacle
In Exodus 25-27, God gives Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, including specifications for colors and fabrics. These included:
– Blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen for the tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26:1)
– Blue, purple, and scarlet yarn for the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:31)
– Blue cloth covering the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 4:5-6)
The blue fabric would have been colored with indigo dye. This showed the lavishness devoted to the Tabernacle as God’s dwelling place and highlighted its sacredness.
Indigo in the Temple
When Solomon constructed the Temple to replace the portable Tabernacle, he likewise incorporated blue fabrics dyed with indigo:
– The inner sanctuary was decorated with blue thread (2 Chronicles 3:14)
– The veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was made of blue, purple, and crimson yarn (2 Chronicles 3:14)
– The molding had blue cords interlaced with golden chains (2 Chronicles 3:16)
The blue colors again pointed to the enormous costliness of the Temple as a monument to God’s glory and holiness.
Indigo in Priestly Garments
God also instructed the use of indigo-dyed fabrics for the ceremonial clothing of the priests:
– Blue, purple, and scarlet yarn were used for the ephod of the high priest (Exodus 28:6)
– The breastpiece of judgment included a blue cord (Exodus 28:28)
– The robe worn under the ephod was woven entirely of blue cloth (Exodus 28:31)
– The pomegranates on the hem of the robe were blue, purple, and scarlet (Exodus 28:33)
– Blue cloth formed turbans for the priests (Exodus 28:37)
– The sash was embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn (Exodus 39:29)
Again, the blue dye pointed to the extravagance devoted to the priests as God’s representatives. It was a striking visual reminder of their holy office.
Indigo in Jesus’ Ministry
In the Gospels, indigo retains its symbolic meaning from the Old Testament. The luxurious fabrics point to Jesus’ royal identity:
– Jesus criticized the scribes for wanting to walk around in long robes (Mark 12:38), a possible reference to the blue robes of the high priest.
– The soldiers mockingly dressed Jesus in a purple robe and pretended to honor him as King of the Jews (Mark 15:17, 20). Purple was produced from the same indigo dye as blue.
– Jesus was buried in a costly linen cloth (Mark 15:46), reminiscent of the blue linens of the tabernacle and priestly garments. This showed Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament priesthood.
Indigo in Revelation
The final book of the Bible draws on the rich symbolism of indigo established in the Old Testament. In Revelation, blue represents the splendor, majesty, and holiness of God:
– God is described as sitting on a sapphire throne, its glowing blue radiance representing his glory (Revelation 4:3; 21:11).
– The glowing sapphire foundation stones of the New Jerusalem likewise evoke God’s splendor (Revelation 21:19).
– The armies of heaven accompanying Christ wear pure white linen and ride white horses, again echoing the colors of the tabernacle and temple (Revelation 19:14).
Conclusion
Throughout Scripture, indigo dye represents wealth, beauty, and sacredness. It points to the glory due God’s name. The pervasive use of blue in the tabernacle and temple showed the no-expenses-spared lavishness devoted to them as monuments to God’s majesty. Blue priestly garments displayed the holiness of their office as God’s representatives. And indigo fabrics were part of Jesus’ ministry, death, and final return, identifying him with the fulfillment of Old Testament patterns. So in both Old and New Testaments, indigo retains its symbolic meaning as a vivid reminder of God’s splendor and the extravagance due his worship.
| Reference | Significance of Indigo |
|---|---|
| Exodus 25-27 | Indigo dyes used for tabernacle curtains showed lavishness devoted to it as God’s dwelling place |
| 2 Chronicles 3 | Indigo fabrics in the temple highlighted its grandeur and expense as a monument to God |
| Exodus 28 | Indigo priestly garments displayed the sacredness of their office |
| Mark 15 | Jesus buried in fine linen fulfilled the Old Testament priesthood |
| Revelation 4, 19, 21 | Indigo represents God’s glory, splendor, and holiness |
Indigo was a luxury dye associated with richness and royalty in the ancient world. The Bible draws on these connotations to use indigo symbolically as a representation of God’s glory, holiness, and majesty. The pervasive inclusion of indigo-dyed fabrics throughout the tabernacle and temple symbolized the vast expense devoted to them as monuments to God’s grandeur. Blue priestly garments visibly conveyed the sacredness of their office. And indigo retains this symbolic meaning into the New Testament, where it points to Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament patterns. So throughout Scripture, indigo consistently represents the radiance, beauty, and lavish costliness that rightfully belong to worship of God. The vivid, deep blue hue stands as a constant visual reminder of the glory, honor, and reverence due to him.