Rainbows in the Bible have a specific meaning. If you keep seeing rainbows everywhere, what could God be trying to say to you? As the sun breaks through a thick blanket of clouds and the storm subsides for a moment, reflections of all kinds of colors arch in a sign of…? Hope, Beauty, Love? What exactly is it that is so magnificent about a rainbow?
Photo by Lucie Dawson
Four Bible verses that show the true meaning of the rainbows
The word ‘rainbow’ appears four times in the Bible. The first mention of rainbows comes in the very first book of the Old Testament, named Genesis. Chapters 6 to 10 tell the story of Noah and the Great Flood. Because of the evil of humankind, God decided to send the waters of a flood to cover the whole Earth.
But before sending the first water droplets, God scanned the Earth one last time. He was trying to see if He could find any person who was good. Noah pleased God. So, He forewarned him about the coming flood. God helped him build an ark so that all life on Earth would not be wiped out. God offered a way out which shows His grace beautifully.
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We find the first rainbow after the worldwide flood waters had subsided. The first time rainbows appear in the Bible, God is speaking to Noah:
Rainbows in Genesis 9:12-16
“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
The most common symbolic meaning of rainbows in the Bible is that it is a sign of God’s covenant. A rainbow is a symbol of hope and a token of the covenant. A rainbow is a sign of His promise that still stands today and a reminder of God’s goodness. Now, you might be wondering what the waters of the flood have to do with your life. Why on earth should you personally care about God’s covenant to not send a flood again?
Rainbows in the Bible: A sign of God’s grace
The Flood account from the Book of Genesis might not look like the most relatable Bible story at first glance. But when we look deeper, we find something amazing. God sending a rainbow after the flood marks the start of something much bigger. God is initiating a different kind of relationship with humankind through the rainbow. He is saying: Even though you do not deserve it, I will offer a way out for you. Because of My great mercy and grace, I will save you, time after time. On the day of rain, I am with you.
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God’s faithfulness to Noah’s family is evident in Him giving the rainbow as a sign of a covenant. The second rainbow in the Bible is in the Prophet Ezekiel’s book. In chapter one, we read about Ezekiel’s vision of the Lord God’s glory and His divine presence. Ezekiel uses the colors of the rainbow to describe the appearance of the brightness shining around him.
Photo by Karson
Rainbows in Ezekiel 1:25-28
“Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”
So, Ezekiel described the appearance of his waist up (his torso) looked like glowing metal or melted gold. From his waist down (his legs), he had the appearance of fire. There was a dispersion of light around him that reflected rainbow colors. In this Bible account, the meaning of rainbows in the Bible is tied to God again. It is a sign of the glory of God!
The meaning of a rainbow is not a scientific explanation. It’s about more than why an arc of colors appears when white light enters the water and bends. It is so much more! Three of the four times that rainbows are mentioned in the Bible, it is used to describe visions of God. Rainbows in the Bible form part of a picture of God.
The rainbow appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ in the prophetic visions
This prophecy by Ezekiel was about the promised Messiah – the One who the Heavenly Father promised would come to turn people from their evil ways. He is the ultimate covenant God made with His people. The rainbow has been seen as God’s bow (like a war bow and arrow), but that is not what the Bible tells us. In the Bible, God promises that His everlasting love will extend to include a covenant of grace and save His people.
Let’s turn our attention to the Book of Revelation and see what the Apostle John saw in his vision of the heavenly throne room. Revelation is the last book of the New Testament, so it follows the time when Jesus Christ walked the Earth. The author of this book had a vision of God, just like Ezekiel did, but he saw Jesus Christ.
Rainbows in Revelation 4:2-3
“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.”
The appearance of an emerald is used to describe the rainbow shining around the One on the likeness of a throne of God. Therefore, a rainbow in the Bible is a symbol of God. The rainbow is mentioned again later in the book of Revelation. This time, pillars of fire for his legs are included. Let’s read from chapter 10:
Rainbows in Revelation 10:1
“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.”
Photo by Fabrizio Frigeni
Various cultures have tried to attach meaning to rainbows, but to understand rainbows in the Bible, we need to take a different angle. The Biblical interpretation of rainbows is not about finding gold at the end of a rainbow. It’s also not about rainbow flags to show inclusivity for various genders and sexualities. A rainbow is also not merely a happy coincidence of atmospheric conditions or an optical illusion. Rainbows in the Bible have a very special meaning that started in the days of Noah and is still true today.
After reading this post, you should have some more insight into the right interpretation of the rainbow God made. Next time you notice the appearance of the bow on a rainy day, remember God’s promise still stands. He is near to those who seek Him. His grace shines like a bright light in the darkness and beauty surrounds Him. He is a promise keeper and the Creator. Take comfort in knowing that the Maker of the rainbows made you too.
Eljoh Hartzer is combining theology and art to nurture faith journeys across generations. She is a Masters-level Practical Theologian with the University of Stellenbosch. She is also a writer and editor in the niche of Christianity and children's content and she illustrates children's books. Eljoh resides in the Swartland area in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
You can follow Eljoh on LinkedIn or Instagram.
