Topical Bible: Symbols and Similitudes: Rainbow

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The rainbow is a significant symbol in the Bible, representing God's covenant and promise to humanity. It first appears in the narrative of Noah, following the great flood that covered the earth. In Genesis 9:12-17 , God establishes the rainbow as a sign of His covenant with Noah and all living creatures:

"And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of every kind on the earth.' So God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covenant I have established between Me and all life on the earth.'"

The rainbow serves as a divine reminder of God's mercy and faithfulness. It signifies His promise never to destroy the earth with a flood again, highlighting His commitment to the preservation of life. The appearance of the rainbow after a storm symbolizes hope and renewal, reflecting God's grace and the restoration of creation.

In biblical symbolism, the rainbow also represents the glory and majesty of God. In Ezekiel 1:28 , the prophet describes a vision of God's glory, where the appearance of a rainbow is likened to the radiance surrounding the divine presence: "Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around Him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking."

The rainbow's multicolored arc is often seen as a representation of the fullness and diversity of God's creation. It reflects the beauty and harmony inherent in God's design, serving as a visual reminder of His creative power and the unity of His creation.

In the New Testament, the rainbow appears in the apocalyptic vision of John in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 4:3 , the rainbow encircles the throne of God, symbolizing His sovereignty and the eternal nature of His promises: "And the One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne."

The rainbow, therefore, is a profound biblical symbol that encapsulates themes of covenant, mercy, glory, and divine promise. It serves as a testament to God's unchanging nature and His enduring commitment to His creation.

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Genesis 9:12,13
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
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Library

Introduction.
... in which, on account of the rainbow-like blending ... admits into the number almost all
similitudes indiscriminately ... to the language of dramatic symbols rather than ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/introduction.htm

Of the Sacraments.
... These similitudes are applicable to the secondary reason. ... when mention is made of
the sacred symbols which were ... not of simple signs, like the rainbow and the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 of the sacraments.htm