What Does the Bible Say About Rainbows?
1. Where Do Rainbows First Appear in the Bible?
The most famous appearance of rainbows in the Bible is in Genesis 9:13–16, following the great flood in Noah’s day. After the waters receded and Noah’s family emerged from the ark, God made an everlasting covenant not only with humanity but with “every living creature.” The rainbow was given as the visible sign of that promise: “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13).
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the “bow” (Hebrew qeshet) often referred to a weapon of war. God’s placement of the bow in the sky symbolized the end of His judgment by flood—a divine weapon set aside in favor of peace. It was a covenant marker that God Himself would remember. This makes the rainbow not merely a pretty natural phenomenon but a theological declaration.
2. What Is the Covenant Significance of the Rainbow?
In the biblical account, the rainbow serves as a berith olam—an “everlasting covenant.” This is significant because it applies to all people, not just to Israel. Unlike the Mosaic covenant, which was given to a specific nation, this promise encompasses all creation.
The rainbow is unique among covenant signs in that it is said to remind both humanity and God of His promise (Genesis 9:16). This is not because God forgets, but because the imagery communicates His unchanging faithfulness. Just as the rainbow arcs between heaven and earth, the covenant bridges divine promise and human life.
This covenant also anticipates the fuller redemption revealed in the Gospel: the God who spared the world from another flood is the same God who will ultimately renew the earth entirely, not through destruction, but through restoration in Christ.
3. How Are Rainbows Connected to God’s Glory in Other Scriptures?
Rainbows appear in other parts of the Bible, often in visions of God’s glory. In Ezekiel 1:26–28, the prophet sees a radiant figure on a throne surrounded by a brilliant light “like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day.” Here, the rainbow communicates the majesty, beauty, and holiness of God.
Similarly, Revelation 4:3 describes a rainbow encircling the throne of God, and Revelation 10:1 portrays a mighty angel with a rainbow over his head. These images draw on the Genesis symbolism but expand it—the rainbow becomes not only a sign of peace but also a marker of divine presence and authority.
4. How Has the Rainbow Been Used in Modern Culture?
In recent decades, rainbows have become a prominent cultural symbol, particularly through the rainbow flag created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 as a representation of LGBTQ+ pride. The flag’s colors were designed to symbolize diversity and natural beauty, and over time, it has become one of the most recognized emblems of the LGBTQ+ movement.
Some Christians have expressed concern over this cultural use, viewing it as an appropriation of a biblical symbol. Efforts to “reclaim” the rainbow have included using it in Christian art, apparel, and church imagery to emphasize its original covenant meaning. While cultural debates about the symbol continue, the biblical significance of the rainbow remains unchanged.
5. Should Christians Seek to Reclaim the Biblical Meaning of the Rainbow?
Whether Christians should actively reclaim the rainbow’s meaning is a matter of conscience and discernment. The Bible presents the rainbow as God’s creation, invested with divine covenant meaning long before modern cultural uses. This means its theological significance is not diminished by contemporary associations.
For some, using the rainbow in Christian witness can serve as a reminder of God’s promises and a conversation starter about the Gospel. For others, avoiding the symbol altogether may seem more prudent to prevent misunderstanding. In either case, the underlying truth stands: the rainbow belongs first to God and speaks to His unchanging mercy.
6. How Does the Rainbow Point to the Gospel?
In the Gospel, the rainbow’s message of mercy and peace finds its ultimate fulfillment. Just as God set aside His bow after the flood, so too at the cross, God’s judgment and mercy met in Christ. The wrath that was due to sinners was borne by the Son of God, bringing lasting reconciliation between God and His people.
In this sense, the rainbow can be seen as a visual foreshadowing of the Gospel: a sign that judgment is not the final word. Just as the rainbow marks the end of the flood and the beginning of a renewed earth, so the resurrection marks the defeat of death and the dawn of the new creation.
7. Will Rainbows Have a Place in the New Creation?
The Bible suggests that the imagery of rainbows will continue into eternity. The scenes in Revelation show the rainbow surrounding God’s throne in the heavenly reality, which will one day merge with the renewed earth (Revelation 21:1–4). This indicates that the covenant promise of Genesis 9 will never expire but will be fully realized when sin, death, and judgment are no more.
In that day, the rainbow will not be a reminder of wrath withheld but a celebration of God’s completed work of redemption. It will remain an eternal emblem of His faithfulness.
Conclusion
From Genesis to Revelation, rainbows in the Bible consistently point to God’s mercy, covenant faithfulness, and glory. They serve as a sign of His enduring promise never to destroy the earth by flood again, a visual reminder of His presence in heavenly visions, and a symbol of peace rooted in His character.
While modern culture has adopted the rainbow for other purposes, the biblical meaning is not lost. For Christians, it can remain a profound reminder of the Gospel—God’s promise of mercy through the finished work of Christ and His commitment to renew the whole creation.
Bible Verses About Rainbows
Genesis 9:13 – “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
Genesis 9:16 – “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant.”
Ezekiel 1:28 – “Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.”
Revelation 4:3 – “A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.”
Revelation 10:1 – “A mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head…”
Isaiah 54:9 – “This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth…”
Psalm 89:34 – “I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.”
Lamentations 3:22–23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”
James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…”
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…”
