Bible Dictionaries
Blue

Holman Bible Dictionary

The Hebrew word translated “blue” (tekeleth ) is also translated as “purple” (Ezekiel 23:6 ) and “violet” (Jeremiah 10:9 ). The color was obtained from Mediterranean mollusks (class of Gastrohypoda) and used for dyeing. Blue was considered inferior to royal purple but was still a very popular color. Blue was used in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:4; Exodus 26:1 ,Exodus 26:1,26:4; Numbers 4:6-7 ,Numbers 4:6-7,4:9; Numbers 15:38 ), in the Temple (2Chronicles 2:7,2 Chronicles 2:14; 2 Chronicles 3:14 ), and in the clothing of the priests (Exodus 28:5-6 ,Exodus 28:5-6,28:8 ,Exodus 28:8,28:15; Exodus 39:1 ). See Purple; Violet; Colors .