Pallor, a term used to describe an unnatural paleness or lack of color in the skin, is often associated with fear, illness, or death. In the biblical context, pallor can symbolize a range of spiritual and physical conditions, often reflecting a state of distress or divine judgment.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Fear and Dread: Pallor is frequently associated with fear and dread in the Bible. In prophetic literature, the imagery of faces turning pale is used to convey the terror that accompanies divine judgment or the anticipation of catastrophic events. For instance, in Jeremiah 30:6 , the prophet describes a time of great distress: "Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, and every face turned pale?" This passage uses the metaphor of childbirth to depict the intense fear and helplessness that will grip the people.

2. Divine Judgment: The pallor of death is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, where it often signifies the impending judgment of God. In Ezekiel 7:17-18 , the prophet warns of the coming day of the Lord: "Every hand will go limp, and every knee will turn to water. They will put on sackcloth, and horror will cover them. Shame will be on every face, and all their heads will be shaved." Here, the physical manifestations of fear, including pallor, are linked to the shame and horror of divine retribution.

3. Illness and Suffering: Pallor can also be indicative of illness or suffering, both physical and spiritual. In the narrative of Job, his friends observe his physical deterioration and attribute it to his suffering. Although the text does not explicitly mention pallor, the description of Job's condition implies a loss of vitality and color, reflecting his profound anguish and the spiritual trial he endures.

4. Symbol of Death: In Revelation, the pale horse is a symbol of death. Revelation 6:8 states, "Then I looked and saw a pale horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth." The pallor of the horse underscores the association with death and the grave, emphasizing the severity of the judgments unleashed upon the earth.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, pallor in the Bible often serves as a visual representation of the inner spiritual state of individuals or nations. It reflects the consequences of sin, the fear of divine judgment, and the reality of human mortality. The imagery of pallor calls believers to recognize the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and redemption through faith in God.

In summary, pallor in the biblical context is a powerful symbol that conveys fear, judgment, illness, and death. It serves as a reminder of the frailty of human life and the ultimate authority of God over all creation.(a.) Paleness; want of color; pallidity; as, pallor of the complexion.3418. yereq -- green, greenness
... From yaraq (in the sense of vacuity of color); properly, pallor, ie Hence, the
yellowish green of young and sickly vegetation; concretely, verdure, ie Grass or ...
/hebrew/3418.htm - 6k

4889. mashchith -- ruin, destruction
... Word Origin from shachath Definition ruin, destruction NASB Word Usage deathly
pallor (1), destroy (2), destruction (3), trap (1), utterly (1). ...
/hebrew/4889.htm - 6k

A New Pretender
... seriously. "What"what happened?" she asked, noting the pallor on his face
under the suffusion which his pleasure had made there. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xiii a new pretender.htm

The Shepherd of Pella
... hastily departed. There was a pallor along the under-rim of the east; the
wind freshened with the sweet vigor of early morning. Over ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter iii the shepherd of.htm

Sixth Tractate. The Impassivity of the Unembodied.
... blood, mobile in its nature. Fear begins in the mind; the pallor is simply
the withdrawal of the blood inwards. So in pleasure, the ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/sixth tractate the impassivity of.htm

The Great Council
... A wild shock of hair overshadows his face, which is of a deathly pallor;
his eyes are usually downcast, owing to a weakness of sight. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 3 the great council.htm

Arria and Her Mother Sat with the Emperor. ...
... pulses. The young officer was now staring through deathly pallor. "My friends,
it is not strange," said the great Augustus, mildly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 5 arria and her.htm

Hymnus Omnis Horae
... Extimum vestis sacratae furtim mulier attigit, 40 protinus salus secuta est,
ora pallor deserit, sistitur rivus, cruore qui fluebat perpeti. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ix hymnus omnis horae.htm

Hymnus Post Ieiunium
... honorem. Terge ieiunans, ait, omne corpus, 25 neve subducto faciem rubore
luteus tinguat color aut notetur pallor in ore. Rectius ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/viii hymnus post ieiunium.htm

Hymn for all Hours
... Once a woman's timid fingers touched Thy garment's lowest braid, And the pallor
left her visage, healing power the touch conveyed, For the years of pain were ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ix hymn for all hours.htm

Argument: Then He Shows that C??cilius had Been Wrong in Asserting ...
... and Pilumnus, and Picumnus. Tatius both discovered and worshipped Cloacina;
Hostilius, Fear and Pallor. Subsequently Fever was dedicated ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxv argument then he shows.htm

The Heir to the Throne
... It was a strange, un-Egyptian pallor, an opaque whiteness with dark shadows
that belied the testimony of vigor in his sinewy frame. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter v the heir to.htm

Pallor (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Paleness; want of color; pallidity; as, pallor of
the complexion. Multi-Version Concordance Pallor (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/pallor.htm - 6k

Pallu (6 Occurrences)

/p/pallu.htm - 9k

Or (15123 Occurrences)
... by small dots. 4. (n.) A noun suffix denoting an act; a state or quality;
as in error, fervor, pallor, candor, etc. 5. (n.) A noun ...
/o/or.htm - 8k

Pale (16 Occurrences)
... blue. 2. (vi) Not bright or brilliant; of a faint luster or hue; dim; as,
the pale light of the moon. 3. (n.) Paleness; pallor. 4 ...
/p/pale.htm - 12k

Pallets (2 Occurrences)

/p/pallets.htm - 6k

Pallor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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