Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary (2026) · CC BY-SA 4.0 EN

Green

In the Bible, “green” translates seven Hebrew words in the Old Testament and two Greek words in the New Testament. Most of these words describe plants that are fresh, healthy, or full of moisture. They do not always refer only to color.

The word describes:

plants (Genesis 1:30),

trees (1 Kings 14:23),

branches (Job 15:32),

pastures (Psalm 23:2; Joel 2:22),

herbs (Psalm 37:2),

olive trees (Psalm 52:8; Jeremiah 11:16),

thorns (Psalm 58:9),

leaves (Jeremiah 17:8),

grass (Mark 6:39; Revelation 8:7), and

wood that is still fresh (Luke 23:31).

In addition to various plants, the word “green” also describes:

a dove’s wing (Psalm 68:13),

a couch (Song of Solomon 1:16), and

a righteous person who is still strong in old age (Psalm 92:14).

The phrase “every green tree” refers to places where people practiced idol worship (Deuteronomy 12:2; 2 Kings 16:4; Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 2:20; Ezekiel 6:13). In this phrase, “green” describes trees with thick, healthy leaves rather than only their color.

The related word “greenish” describes the color of a disease on cloth or leather (Leviticus 13:49). It also describes fungus on the walls of a house (Leviticus 14:37).