Skin Color in the Bible

First, it is very important to establish that the Bible says very little about skin color and seems to have very little concern for differentiating between skin tones. The Bible much more often mentions a person’s place of origin or the person’s clan or people group rather than focusing on a person’s race.

Skin color is mentioned only rarely in the Bible. Even when Jeremiah writes, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23a), it is left to the reader to interpret from prior knowledge what color the Ethiopian’s skin may be. Furthermore, this verse includes no comparison to other skin tones. There is only the idea that the Ethiopian cannot change his skin color. The main point of this passage is to compare things that humans cannot change. Just as a man can’t change his skin color or a big cat his markings, so a person who is accustomed to doing evil will not be able to suddenly start doing what is right. “… Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil” (Jeremiah 13:23).

The Bible mentions a number of people whose skin was of a darker hue. However, we don’t know this because the Bible points out their skin color, but rather because their place of origin is mentioned. Simon of Cyrene (located in northern Africa, present day Libya) who carried Jesus’ cross is mentioned for his act of service to Christ in His time of need, not for his skin color (Matthew 27:32, Marcos 15:21; Lucas 23:26).

Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the king’s house is another example of a person in the bible not mentioned for his skin color but for his act of mercy toward Jeremiah the prophet. He boldly went before King Zedekiah and asked permission to pull the prophet out of the pit of mud. Not only was he given permission to do so, but he also made sure that Jeremiah’s ride out of the pit was as comfortable as possible. (Read the story in Jeremiah 38).

The Ethiopian eunuch, treasurer for Queen Candace of Ethiopia, is portrayed as an avid student of the Holy Scriptures and subject for conversion and baptism (Acts 8:26-40). He may even have proved instrumental in converting many key figures in his country to Christianity. But no mention is made of his skin color.

Another key point to keep in mind is the fact that, although the Israelites may have had a lighter skin tone than the Ethiopians, they were by no means white. Most inhabitants of the middle eastern regions were, and still are, an array of vibrant browns, demonstrating endless variations depending on ancestral gene manifestation. However, Bible writers spend no time dissecting these variations.

What Group Do You Belong To?

On the other hand, Bible writers do spend quite a bit of time categorizing individuals by people group. Which group you belonged to seemed to be of primary concern to people living in Bible times. To these people, which community you were a part of was of greater consequence than the notion of skin color. The Old Testament is full of any number of comparisons between the Israelites and all the ethnic peoples surrounding them: the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Jebusites and the Perizzites, to name a few. There is also quite a bit of comparison between the Israelites and the conquering nations that plagued them: the Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians and Egyptians. In the New Testament, the Jews of Jesus’ era were often compared to the Samaritans, Tyrians, Syrophoenicians, Greeks or the Romans. These groups were often portrayed in the Bible, not as racially different from Israel, but as religiously different.

Biblical Bans on Intermarriage

God was constantly reminding the people of Israel not to mix with the foreign gods of the nations that surrounded them. Often this included a ban against intermarriage, not to preserve racial purity, but to maintain religious purity in worshiping the One True God. Deuteronomy 7:1-6 tells the Israelites not to intermarry with the inhabitants of the land of Canaan because they would "turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods" (verse 6). Again, this is not because these foreigners were of a different race or even because they were inherently evil, but because these particular people would lead the Israelite’s away from God.

Paul echoes this idea in 2 Corinthians 6:14, where he says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” The Bible clearly warns against two people marrying who have different belief systems. Doing so will only lead to heartache and misery. Many times, the believing partner will lose his or her salvation as he or she conforms to the demands of the nonbeliever. For this reason, the Bible clearly discourages marriage between believers and nonbelievers, but not between different races.

Examples of Interracial Marriage in the Bible

Because of the Bible’s silence on skin tones, we have very few examples of interracial marriage in the Bible. One of the most prominent is the marriage of Moses and Zipporah. Moses' wife, Zipporah, was of another people group. Zipporah was a Midianite and/or Cushite. This meant that her skin was probably darker than that of Moses, although it is important to remember that Moses’ skin tone was also a variation of brown. Zipporah proved to be a very important help and companion to Moses. Her role in the deliverance of Israel was key. She literally saved Moses’ life on his way to Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery (Exodus 4:24-26). In another event, God punishes Moses’ siblings, Aaron and Miriam, for criticizing his marriage (Numbers 12:1-15). Here God defends Moses’ decision to maintain a marital relationship with Zipporah.

In Song of Songs, Solomon’s wife the Shulamite, is another famous example of interracial marriage. She says she is “very dark [black], but lovely… like the tents of Kedar” (Song of Songs 1:5). She also says, “Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me” (verse 6, ESV). But the difference in her skin color does not seem to affect Solomon’s love for her, as detailed in the love poems that make up the Song of Songs, nor does the entire book contain any disapproval of the marriage by God. On the contrary, God approves of the marriage (5:1).

Other examples of Israelites intermarrying with foreigners are Ruth’s marriage to Boaz and Rahab’s marriage to Salmon of the tribe of Judah. Both of these foreign women were incorporated into the family tree of the future Messiah. However, it is important to note that we do not know anything about their skin color. We know only their place of origin and ethnicity.

Interracial Marriage Considerations

The Bible is clear that when both parties are believers (equally yoked), interracial marriage is not wrong. Nevertheless, a Christian couple contemplating marriage should prayerfully and carefully consider the impact their marriage will have within their cultural context. All humans have biases that, unless led by the Holy Spirit, can prove harmful. Many racial biases could make an interracial marriage unpleasant at best and possibly devastating at its worst. Because of external biases against race mixing, there are cultural contexts where an interracial marriage poses significant barriers to the acceptance of the marriage and/or the children of the marriage. A loving Christian couple may be able to acclimate well to these challenges, overcoming the racial biases of those around them. Still, it is because of these biases that a couple should ask themselves prior to marriage what impact their marriage could have on their family relationships, future children ,and on the society in which they live. Most importantly, the couple should prayerfully ask for the discernment of the Holy Spirit and guidance from God as they make their decision.

Regardless, it is important to remember that culture should never take precedence over Biblical principles. The Bible does not condemn interracial marriage. On the contrary, God blesses such relationships where two believers in Christ unite. Colossians 3:11 makes it clear that, from God's perspective, all are one in Christ. “In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all (The Living Bible).