Qash-ti

 

Recently I came across the Hebrew word “Qash-ti”, which translated in English is “my bow”, as in paired with arrow and is the possessive form of the word “qesheth”, translated bow and rainbow. So, which is it? I guess it’s both.  Anyway, in diving deeper, I found out that qesheth  is used over 70 times in the Bible, but only 2 of those times is it translated as rainbow.

Ezekiel 1:28 speaks of “the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain” (ESV), while Genesis 9:13 says,

at qash-ti nata-ti be'an-an ve-hay-ta le-ot ber-it bein-i ve-bein ha-aret

“I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” (ESV)

My introduction to this Hebrew word was in reference to its use in the aforementioned verse which had prompted a great debate as to its true meaning. It was being suggested that it was indeed the weapon of warfare bow and not a rainbow that God had placed for a sign of His covenant.

The argument was that God had turned the weapon, once aimed at earth and sinful mankind, toward Himself, by facing the bow outward to the heavens, to symbolize that He had turned His wrath on Himself instead.

Honestly, this made me ponder. Now I am going to give you some food for thought. Suppose it is both a weapon and a beautiful rainbow? The difference being in what God sees and what we see. So, God looks down from heaven to earth and sees “qash-ti” as in “My bow (and arrow)” pointing at Himself as the Sacrfice, and we look up from earth to heaven and we see “qesheth” as in rainbow with its seven colours, instinctively knowing what it represents.

Nothing in God’s creation exists by chance. Every colour in the rainbow is symbolic. The number of colours also bears great significance.

Seven, a divine number found throughout Scripture, symbolizes an oath or covenant, represents the completion of a cycle, speaks of the end of a judgment and the beginning of a new creation. Keep in mind that God placed the bow in the clouds after the Flood – that time of judgment, after which He created civilization anew.

The rainbow signifies our connection to God through a covenant relationship, it reminds us that heaven is connected to earth and shows how after a washing with water, everything is renewed.

“that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” – Ephesians 5:26 (ESV)

Let’s take a brief look at the symbolism that each of the rainbow’s colours holds: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet.

photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

Red has quite a few meanings but ultimately it represents sin and all of its consequences which includes the blood that Jesus shed for our redemption – the washing away of the stains of our sins.

“…the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7 (ESV)

photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

Orange, associated with gold, is connected with the Divine nature – the very nature of God – spiritual purity, and is related to our tried and tested faith.

"so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." – 1 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

Yellow, like orange, is the colour of Divine nature. The Hebrew word for yellow, “tsahob”, means “glitter” and spiritually relates to the Sun of Righteousness. But this colour, as seen in Leviticus 13:30, 32 and 36 can carry a negative connotation where God uses it as a warning.

"the priest shall examine the disease. And if it appears deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean." – Leviticus 13:30 (ESV)

photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

Green represents anything living. This colour hints at eternal life. Jesus referred to Himself as the Green Tree – the imagery of Jesus as the living and life-giving Tree is conveyed in Luke 23:31.

"For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry" (NLT)

photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

Blue represents the heavenly realm and symbolizes heavenly things. Blue is used in Scripture as a reminder of the reality of heaven as seen in God’s instructions to Moses in the decorating of the Tabernacle.  

"You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns…" - Exodus 26:36 (ESV)

photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

Indigo and Violet are closely related and symbolize royalty or wealth. These colours were represented in the Tabernacle of Moses as purple. Purple is symbolic of the mingling of the divinity of Christ (blue) and His sacrifice (red); we are saved by His Blood (red) and His Resurrection and ascension (blue). We abide in Christ our Priest and King and He in us, giving us access to the Throne Room of God and making us members of a royal priesthood.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession…" - 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

Beloved, every colour, a reflection of God’s amazing glory and wonderful creativity, is used by Him to speak to us by their symbolism and significance. We see colours in nature and in His Word. I encourage you to dive deeper for yourselves so that you may gain a better understanding.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Qash-ti” © 2025 June 12, 2025