Esther 1:6
…Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. (KJV Bible)
…There were curtains (draperies) of fine white and violet linen fastened with cords of fine purple linen to silver rings and marble columns. The couches of gold and silver rested on a mosaic floor of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious colored stones. (Amplified Bible)
Black is significant as a color background, highlighting all other colored stones and gems laid on it or in it. On this particular black marble were inlaid porphyry (red), mother-of-pearl (white) and turquoise (blue-green) stones, fit for a king’s palace. '
Also in the Amplified Bible it states that there were ‘precious stones’ inlaid in the black marble flooring. These would have been to show off the kings’ wealth, his ability to trade well and his pride in his culture. Looking these precious stones up, we see that in addition to the porphyry, the turquoise and the pearls, we see that King Ahaseurus could have used emeralds, jasper, ruby, topaz, diamonds, beryl, lapis lazuli, sapphire, amethyst, carnelian and onyx.
Can you imagine how gorgeous that floor must have been? Most of these gemstones will be used to describe other colors of worship, but Black has its own use: to highlight the shining beauty of the more colorful stones.
In other verses of the Bible Black denotes industriousness and humility in the young bride [the church] (Song of Songs 1:5); vitality {Dictionary: the power giving continuance of life, present in all living things] and unwavering faithfulness [Christ] (Song of Songs 5:11).
Black also describes punishment and judgment (Micah 3:6; Jude 1:13; Zephaniah 1:15) and the presence of The Lord God (Deuteronomy 4:11; 5:22; Exodus 20:21;). In Leviticus 13:37 Black is the evidence of cleanness, restored vitality (new life). Here it reinforces the God-anointed priestly roles of knowing when a person is really holy and healthy, not merely appearing to be so.
In Zechariah 6:2, 6 the second chariot is pulled by Black horses. They would patrol (verse 7) where they were sent that God's judgments would be fulfilled (Ezekiel 38:15; Jeremiah 4:6). In other passages the Black horse signifies famines and droughts (Revelation 6:5; Lamentations 5:10; Amos 8: 4-6; Ezekiel 4:10-17) and a marked increase in the cost of basic food and water. These are also judgments of God against the people who have rebelled against Him.
Since we know that the whole Word of God is to be applied to us, then we know that Black is significant in our worship. Knowing this, we can also see that Black is the foundation upon which all other colors of worship are displayed. We must strive to avoid God's judgments for sin, rebellion, trespass, iniquity. But the only way we can do so is to believe on The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, for our salvation out of judgment. He is our Foundation, the Living Cornerstone upon which all other living stones (the saints) are built [1 Peter 2:5, 6; Romans 4:25].
Come, let us worship and bow down, kneeling before The Lord our God, our Maker.
[Isaiah 45:22, 23; Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 14:11].
*UPDATE: I was wrong about the definition of 'black' in Song of Songs, so had to update that part. And from there I realized I missed some Scripture references about the color black, which were necessary to this study, so I added those, too.
