Colours of the Bible

     Colours of the Bible

It is claimed by most of the modern Hebrew Israelite groups that the true Israelites are Black.

They use many verses and arguments in order to “prove” this claim. They claim that the Bible shows that Adam, King David, King Solomon and Jesus were all Black. (I have dealt with the colour of Jesus elsewhere so will not be dealing with Jesus here). But I will deal with the claim regarding the other 3 men.

The best place to start is the beginning. We shall start with Adam and work through the Bible and show that the Bible does NOT infact say that any of these men were Black. There are 2 main  arguments put forward for proving that Adam was Black.

 

1. Adam was formed of the Dirt
2. The Hebrew word  אָדָם Adam can be shown to mean a Black man  

 

It is very true that Adam was formed of the dust of the ground. The Bible very clearly tells us such.

 

Genesis 2-7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

However it is nothing more than conjecture that this has anything to do with the colour of Adams skin. It was the substance not the colour that was being referenced and to state otherwise is simply disingenuous as it is only the substance and not the colour that is mentioned.

 

But let’s go with the argument for a moment. If the substance that Adam was made of indicates skin colour then it is logical and perfectly reasonable to assume using the EXACT same argument that Eve must have been White skinned seeing that she was not formed of the dust of the ground but from one of Adam’s Rib bones.  

 

Genesis 2- 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

If we say that Adam was Black, Adam would have been the ONLY pure Black man ever and Eve the ONLY pure White woman. From then on all humans including Cain and Abel would have been to certain degrees mixed race.

It must be highlighted the word used for dust is עָפָר֙ ‘ā-p̄ār H6083

Going back to the root of a word is something that the Hebrew Israelites do often (which we will see later in the writing).

So let’s do exactly that.

H6083 comes from the root word 6080 עָפַר ʻâphar
Which according to BlueLetterBible means whitish, reddish,

H6080 itself is used just one time in the Bible

2 samuel 16-13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

 

The argument that Adam was Black based on being made of the dirt is purely inference, not consistent and actually in the end not Biblical.

Now let’s look at the argument based on the Hebrew word for Adam.

Adam is the Hebrew word אָדָם Adam (H120) which means man or mankind,
The Hebrew Israelites will then use the root word H119 which as the Blue letter Bible (As I stated the Hebrew Israelites love to use BlueLetterBible.com)  states means Red

 

1. (Qal) ruddy (of Nazarites)
2. (Pual)
   1. to be rubbed red
   2. dyed red
   3. reddened
3. (Hiphil)
   1. to cause to show red
   2. to glare
   3. to emit (show) redness
4. (Hithpael)
   1. to redden
   2. to grow red
   3. to look red

 

They will then often go to Numbers 19-2 to show that Red actually is referring to a brownish colour. In this verse it refers to a red Heifer cow. They will often show a picture of a red heifer to demonstrate that the red Heifer is not indeed ‘red’ but a brownish colour

 

Numbers 19-2 This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:

The word translated as red in this verse is אֲדֻמָּ֜ה ’ă-ḏum-māh (adom)H122 which has its root also in H119

So there we go Adam was the same colour ‘red’ as the red heifer cow. Which is actually a Brownish colour and not in fact red.

Both king David and King Solomon were both also described as being the same colour.

1 Samuel 16-12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

1 Samuel 17- 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

 

Ruddy being the Hebrew word  וְאַדְמֹנִ֖י wə-’aḏ-mō-nî (admoni) H132 which again has its root in H119

The ruddy in these verses means red and it is argued that we have already seen that the red also describes a red heifer cow.

Now the Hebrew Israelites* (ISUPK) will say that this is actually a reference to his youth not his colour and will use 1 Solomon 17-42 which does refer to Davids youth. However, Ruddy does NOT have ANY meaning of youth and it is NEVER translated as youth. There is NO biblical support for the use of this word referring to his youth and not his colour. Youth in this verse is the Hebrew נַ֫עַר naar. Now also when we look at 1 Samuel 16-12 there is NO reference to his youth so this “understanding” cannot be applied to this verse.

In the song of Solomon, Solomon’s bride describes him as also being Ruddy

Song of Solomon 5-10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

In this verse the Hebrew word is וְאָד֔וֹם Adom H122 just as that which was used for the red heifer cow. So Solomon would also have been the colour of the red heifer cow.

Now this cannot be his hair that was being described as red as we see his hair is actually described as being BLACK

Song of Solomon 5- 11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. 

If we continue on the description we also see that Solomans Lips are the colour of Lillies, Lillies are commonly White, red or yellow. Certainly not Black 

Song of Solomon 5-13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

his Belly was like IVORY, Ivory is White/yellowish colour

Song of Solomon 5- 14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

So we can see that Adam, King David and King Solomon were all described as being ‘red’ just as the red heifer cow is ‘red’ but is actually brownish. Therefore all 3 men are being described as being Brown in colour  

It’s a logical argument that is biblically based. But it’s also very very disingenuous, either through deliberate deception or ignorance of scripture. In order for this argument to work many scriptures have to be ignored as they would actually argue against this twisting of scripture.

 

But here I shall not ignore these verse but include them to show the truth.

 

ESAU

It is claimed by most of these same Hebrew Israelites that argue that Adam, King David and King Solomon were Black, that Esau was a White man and that he was the progenitor of the white race, he is the father of the White race (Edomites)

They state that God had stated that 2 nations would come from Rebekah

Genesis 25-23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

It is then inferred that this meant 2 different coloured nations Esau being White and Jacob being black.

There are many times that different nations are referred to, this is the only time that apparently they referred to different colours even though it isn’t stated. 

When Esau and Jacob were born only Esau’s colour is referenced. Jacobs colour is not.

Genesis 25-25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

The claim being that Esau’s colour is mentioned because it was different from his Mother, father and brother, Jacobs colour is not mentioned as he was the same colour as his mother and father.

Notice that it states after giving the description and they called his name Esau….Esau means HAIRY. They called him Esau based on his hair not his colour. 

When we look at the colour again Esau is described as being red. The Hebrew word is אַדְמוֹנִ֔י ’aḏ-mō-w-nî, H132 which is the EXACT same word that was used to describe King David.  Esau who it is claimed was White was the same colour as King David who it was earlier argued was Black. How is it possible that King David was Black yet Esau was White when BOTH men are described using the exact same Hebrew word.

Hebrew Israelites also argue that you are what your FATHER is …..Both Esau and Jacob had the same father.

Whatever colour the Hebrews were or are, Esau who is supposedly White, was the same colour as they were.

What also needs to be taken into account are the descendents of Esau. If Esau was white then he would pass on that “white” to his children. However the “white” Esau had a thing for Black woman. The Bible states that Esau had many wives at least some if not all were black woman with lineage back to Ham

Judith the Hittite

Genesis 26-34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael

Genesis 28-9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.
 

Adah the Hittite and Aholibamah the Hivite

Genesis 36-2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;

Esau had children with these woman. So we must ask if Esau was White and his wives Black how the children of Esau would be white.  

 

 

It is also claimed that the Esau was blessed with the Fatness of the land and dew of heaven

Genesis 27- 38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

39 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

 

This supposedly means that the White man has been blessed with abundance of land and wealth.

But this is ignoring, again deliberately or through ignorance that JACOB was blessed with the EXACT same thing just 11 verses earlier when he STOLE Esau’s blessing

Genesis 27- 27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

Now It is often inferred by these Hebrew Israelites that White people are wicked and deceptive. But as we have just seen Jacob, the father of the Israelites gained this blessing from Esau through deception.

This being stated by Isaac

Genesis 27-  35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

Jacob did this two times to Esau which Esau states.

Genesis 27- 36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

It can hardly be argued the deceptiveness of the White race when it is through deception that Jacob and therefore the “black” race gained their blessing. The blessing that had belonged to Esau.

Anyway back to the colour issue

Other Uses

Let’s look at some of the OTHER uses of these Hebrew words.

 

In genesis 25-30 we are told about a food that Jacob gave to Esau when Esau sold his birthright

.
Genesis 25-30  30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

Pottage is made from lentils, but we also have the word red, lentils can be red. This was RED lentil pottage. The Hebrew word being הָאָדֹם֙ hā-’ā-ḏōm H122 the EXACT same word as that which described both King Solomon and the red heifer cow

However it must be noted that the Hebrew actually states RED, RED. the word הָאָדֹם֙ hā-’ā-ḏōm actually appears twice in Genesis 25-30 . There is an emphasis on the redness of this food.

 

This word is also used to describe red blood in 2 kings 3-22

2 kings 3-22 22 And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:

Red clothes that looked like they had red wine on them in Isaiah 63-2

 

Isaiah 63-2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

 

And red Horses in both Zecharia 1-8 and 6-2

Zecharia 1-8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were therered horses, speckled, and white.

Zecharia 6-2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

 

In Deuteronomy there is a verse that says that the Israelites should not abhor an Edomite for he is thy brother.

Deuteronomy 23-7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

 

Esau the father of the Edomites was the Brother of Jacob the father of the Israelites.

The word Abhor is תְתַעֵ֣ב ṯə-ṯa-‘êḇ and means to detest or to be be abominable

The word translated as Edomite is the Hebrew אֲדֹמִ֔י ’ă-ḏō-mî, H130 which is used 12 times in the Bible and has its roots in the Hebrew H123
Which itself is used 100 times in the Bible. 87 times as Edom, 9 times Edomites and 4 times Idumea. It is very important to notice that H123 which is Edom, according to BlueLetterBible.com also means RED

 

Edom = “red”

1. Edom
2. Edomite, Idumean – descendants of Esau
3. land of Edom, Idumea – land south and south east of Palestine

BlueletterBible.com

 

And H123 has its origins in H122 which as we saw is the Word that describes both King Solomon and the Red heifer Cow and whose own origins come from H119.

All these words INCLUDING Edom come from the same root word and therefore ALL must be used when making an argument based on colour and to only use one part to help support an argument as already stated is disingenuous through deception, either deliberately or through ignorance.  

 

Esau was the SAME colour as Adam, King David and King solomon.

But we haven’t finished yet. There is still more evidence to disprove the Hebrew Israelite claim.

 

Notice back at the very beginning of this writing that one of the definitions for the root word H119 was  A (Qal) ruddy (of Nazarites)
So the Nazarites were described as being Ruddy. Ruddy as we have seen also described Esau, King David and King Solomon.

Now the Nazarites were those Israelites who voluntarily took part in the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6-1/21) The Nazarites were Israelites who are also described as being RUDDY.

The Nazarites are called Ruddy in the Bible.  

Lamentations 4-7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

The Narazrites were described as being purer that snow. The Hebrew for purer is זָכַךְ Zakak and means clean, pure, as in ones state of being. 

Notice that they are also described as WHITER than milk, another reference not to their literal colour but their state of being. White being the colour or pureness. (not skin colour before anyone takes this the wrong way.) 

However we do have a reference to their skin colour. Their bodies being more ruddy than rubies.
The Hebrew word translated as Ruddy here is אָ֤דְמוּ ’ā-ḏə-mū H119 yes the root word for all these other words used.  Rubies are RED not black or brown.

The Hebrew Israelites will state that this is not referring to the colour and point to the fact that it also states “their polishing was of sapphire” and Sapphires are Blue so this couldnt refer to the colour. 

However the Sapphire reference is NOT referring to the colour. Before the use of Sapphire we have the word “polishing” which is the Hebrew גִּזְרָה gizrah which means the cut or form of or their polishing/shine. This was referring to their appearance their form not their colour.

ā-ḏə-mū is a verb, an action , to be ruddy.  gizrah is a noun it is a thing. 

Now these Nazarites BECAME dark.

 

Lamentations 4-8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

 

And they were not known, they were unrecognizable. The Hebrew word is נָכַר nakar (h5234) and means recognize

So they had CHANGED from being described as Red with a form of polish, their shine, to being called Black.  The Hebrew word translated as Blacker is חָשַׁ֤ךְ ḥā-šaḵ  (H2821) it is in the VERB form and meaning to grow dark or darker. This colour has NOTHING to do with H119 and shows that these Nazarites who were Israelites GREW Dark, they were NOT dark to start this just as other verses in Lamentations was due to the immense heat and drought that God had brought on his people. 

 

EVEN more it must be noted that Jacob wives, Leah and Rachel were Daughters of Laban.

Laban was the BROTHER of Jacobs mother Rebekah. So while Laban was Jacobs father in law he was also his AND Esau’s uncle. 

So Laban was a direct blood relative of Jacob. 

When we look at the word Laban we will see that it is the Hebrew H3837 לָבָן laban and it is the proper name of a person or location. BUT it comes from the root H3836 which means WHITE…..and is translated as such in verses such as

Exodus 16-31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

Genesis 49-12 His eyes [shall be] red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

We can also trace Labans family lineage back to Abraham’s father. Laban was also a descendant of Terah through Abraham’s brother Nahor. 

So if we are going to be consistent then very clearly the Esau CANNOT be the Progenitor of the white race. 

When we analyze the Bible fully and put full understanding and context into the verses and words used we see that the Biblical support for the Hebrew Israelites being black simply disappears.