Bible Dictionary
Rainbow
The rainbow was appointed by God as the sign of his covenant with Noah that a flood would never again destroy all flesh. In later visions it is associated with God’s glory, mercy, and faithfulness.
Definition
A rainbow is produced when sunlight is reflected and refracted through falling rain. In Scripture it became the sign of God’s covenant with Noah.
Biblical Usage
The rainbow is the token that the waters would not again become a flood to destroy all flesh. It also appears in visions associated with the appearance of God’s glory and with the throne, symbolizing divine faithfulness, mercy, hope, and love.
Historical Background
Rainbows commonly accompany the short, heavy showers of Palestine, and double bows may be seen. The Hebrew word used is the ordinary word for a bow rather than a special term for rainbow.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Caused by the reflection and refraction of the rays of the sun shining on falling rain. It was appointed as a witness of the divine faithfulness (Gen. 9:12-17). It existed indeed before, but it was then constituted as a sign of the covenant. Others, however (as Delitzsch, Commentary on Pentateuch), think that it “appeared then for the first time in the vault and clouds of heaven.” It is argued by those holding this opinion that the atmosphere was differently constituted before the Flood. It is referred to three other times in Scripture (Ezek. 1:27, 28; Rev. 4:1-3; 10:1).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
the token of the covenant which God made with Noah when he came forth from the ark that the waters should no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. The right interpretation of (Genesis 9:13) seems to be that God took the rainbow, which had hitherto been but a beautiful object shining in the heavens when the sun’s rays fell on falling rain, and consecrated it as the sign of his love and the witness of his promise. Ecclus. 43:11. The rainbow is a symbol of God’s faithfulness and mercy. In the “rainbow around the throne,” (Revelation 4:3) is seen the symbol of hope and the bright emblem of mercy and love, all the more true as a symbol because it is reflected from the storm itself.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ran'-bo (qesheth, translated "a bow"; iris, "rainbow"): As most of the rainfall in Palestine is in the form of short heavy showers it is often accompanied by the rainbow. Most beautiful double bows are often seen, and occasionally the moon is bright enough to produce the bow. It is rather remarkable that there are so few references to the rainbow in the Bible. The Hebrew qesheth is the ordinary word for a bow, there being no special word for rainbow.</p><p>The interpretation of the significance of the bow in the sky is given at the close of the story of the flood, where it is called "the token of the covenant" of Yahweh with Noah that there should be no more flood: "I do set my bow in the cloud, .... and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh" (Ge 9:13,15). This addition to the story of the flood is not found in other mythical accounts. The foundation for the interpretation of the bow in this way seems to be that while His bow is hung in the sky God must be at peace with His people. The glory of God is likened to "the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain" (Eze 1:28). The rainbow forms a striking part of the vision in Re 4:3: "And there was a rainbow round about the throne."</p><p>Alfred H. Joy</p>