24 Bible Verses About Rainbows (With Commentary)

In life’s storms, rainbows are a whisper of hope. The Bible paints rainbows as divine promises—symbols of God’s unwavering covenant after the great flood. Our blog brings these verses to light, offering comfort and renewal through scripture’s colorful imagery.

Dive in for a spectrum of faith!

Covenant with Noah

Genesis 9:13

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the Earth."

In Genesis 9:13, we find a powerful moment. God puts His rainbow in the clouds, and it becomes a sign of His promise to the world. This colorful arch is not just nice to look at—it’s God’s own sign that He won’t flood the earth again.

It shows us that God keeps His words, always.

The story comes right after Noah survives the big flood with his family and all those animals on the ark. Seeing a rainbow tells us about hope, trust, and how serious God is about His bonds with us—and it’s been doing just that ever since Noah stepped off that boat onto dry land.

Genesis 9:14

"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,"

Genesis 9:14 talks about God’s promise. He said when there are clouds in the sky and a rainbow shows up, it will remind Him of His promise. This promise is special—it means He won’t ever use a flood to destroy all life again.

The rainbow acts like a sign of this big promise between God and every living creature on earth.

Seeing a rainbow brings hope because it is God’s bow in the clouds—a reminder that He keeps His word. It tells us we can trust what He says because He never forgets His promises, even after many years have passed.

It’s not just for people either; animals too see the rainbow as God remembering not to let floods cover the whole earth ever again.

Genesis 9:15

"I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."

God said He would remember His promise every time a rainbow shows up in the clouds. This promise was not to flood the whole earth again and destroy all life. So, whenever we see a rainbow, it’s like God is saying, “I haven’t forgotten what I promised you.” The Bible tells us this in Genesis 9:15.

It’s part of God’s big plan to care for us and keep us safe. Rainbows remind us that God is always faithful and keeps his word. We can trust Him because He never breaks a promise – that’s really good news!

Genesis 9:16

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the Earth."

In Genesis 9:16, the Bible talks about a special promise. It says that whenever God sees the rainbow in the clouds, He will remember His covenant. This is not just any agreement; it’s a promise between God and all living creatures on Earth.

The rainbow stands as a sign of this powerful bond. After the great flood, when Noah and his family stepped out of the ark, they saw this colorful arc stretching across the sky—a symbol that life would go on and there wouldn’t be such a flood again.

This moment marked hope for new beginnings and was proof of God’s love and care for His creation.

Ezekiel 1:28

"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. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking."

Ezekiel 1:28 shows us something amazing. A rainbow that looks like it’s shining around God on a rainy day. This bright light tells us about God’s glory. It makes us think of His promise and mercy, even when times are tough.

Seeing this in the sky was a big deal for Ezekiel. The rainbow he saw meant hope and kindness from God to all people. It was like a sign that said, “Remember, I am with you.” Even when things look dark, there’s always a promise of brightness from the Lord above.

Appearance of the Glory of God

Revelation 4:3

"And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne."

In the Bible, Revelation 4:3 paints a vivid picture. Imagine a shining emerald rainbow circling God’s throne. This beautiful sight shows us about hope and trust in God. It tells us that His promises last forever and He is always with us.

Seeing this rainbow means we can feel safe knowing God is in control.

Ezekiel 1:27

"I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him."

Ezekiel 1:27 shows us a powerful picture of God’s glory. The prophet Ezekiel says he saw something like glowing metal, full of fire inside it. This vision was like a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day.

He tells us this bright, shining light looked like the glory of the LORD. It was an amazing sight that reminded people that God is with them and His majesty is everywhere.

The words paint a beautiful image for us to imagine—God’s presence as vibrant and alive as colors stretching across the sky after a storm. It speaks about hope and promise, just like when you see an actual rainbow lighting up the heavens.

Revelation 10:1

"Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars."

In Revelation 10:1, a mighty angel comes down from heaven. This angel is wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. The rainbow shows peace and God’s promise. It means that even when God judges, He keeps His word.

The angel’s appearance reminds us of God’s glory and power. With the rainbow, we know he brings not anger but peace. The scene gets more intense as seven thunders speak after the angel appears, making the message very important.

God’s Majesty and Power

Psalm 97:6

"The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory."

Psalm 97:6 tells us that the sky shares God’s right ways and people everywhere see his big shine. It’s like a rainbow after rain, a sign that God will not flood the earth again. This verse connects to how we understand rainbows in the Bible – they’re about promises and hope.

Heavens speaking of what’s fair and everyone seeing glory? Yup, that’s what it says! This part of God’s Word wraps up big truths: His being right, mighty, and His deal with us. And when you spot a rainbow up high, remember—it’s more than colors; it shows trust between humanity and the One above.

Job 37:11-12

"He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them."

God fills the clouds with water and scatters his lightning. He moves those clouds to circle all over the earth, doing whatever he commands. The whirls and patterns they make – we can’t even begin to understand.

His power shows in thunderstorms and bright strikes of light in the sky. It’s a reminder that nature listens to Him, showing us just how big God’s strength is.

Sirach 43:11

"Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it; it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness."

Sirach 43:11 celebrates the beauty of rainbows and how they show off God’s artistry. It talks of their bright glow and calls them very beautiful. This verse shows us that even long ago, people saw rainbows as special signs in the sky.

The rainbow looks like a half-circle to us on the ground, but it’s really a full circle. Sirach hints at this amazing fact. This bit of wisdom makes us think about looking beyond what we first see to find deeper truths.

Promises and Faithfulness

God tells us He is true to His word. In Isaiah 54:9, it says just as He promised Noah after the flood, God swears to not be angry with us or rebuke us again. The Bible shows God’s unchanging nature in Deuteronomy 7:9; reminding us that He keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him for a thousand generations.

Each morning we wake up, Lamentations 3:22-23 shares a fresh reminder – His compassions never fail; they are new every day.

Numbers 23:19 makes it clear – God is not like people. He speaks and acts without lying or changing His mind. Hebrews 6:18 offers assurance too, telling us that by two unchangeable things—His promise and oath—we can have strong comfort if we run to Him for refuge.

These verses inspire trust and show that faithfulness stands at the heart of God’s character.

Isaiah 54:9

"To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again."

Isaiah 54:9 talks about a big promise from God. He says that just like he promised Noah, there won’t be another flood to destroy the earth. This verse points out how much we can trust God’s word.

It tells us not to be afraid because God has said no more bad floods will come and he means it. The rainbow is a sign of this powerful promise – it reminds us that what God says, he will do for sure.

Deuteronomy 7:9

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keep in his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."

Deuteronomy 7:9 tells us that God keeps His words. He stays true to those who love and follow His rules. This verse shows how important it is to trust in God, giving our worries to Him because He’s always faithful.

It reminds us that God’s promises are sure, and we can count on them no matter what happens. Love for God and obeying Him means we get to see His mercy and kindness in our lives.

It’s like a strong handshake – firm and reliable.

Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us about God’s mercies. They are new every single morning. This means we can wake up each day with hope in our hearts. The verses say that God’s love and mercy never stop.

They are as sure as the sun rising in the sky.

These lines show us how much God loves us and always will. We aren’t eaten up because of His great compassion—it never fails! This part of the Bible is like a warm, comforting hug, telling us we can count on God to be there, just like we count on the new day starting every morning.

Numbers 23:19

"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

God is not like people who lie; He’s not human, so He doesn’t change His mind. When He says something, He does it. When He makes a promise, you can be sure that He will keep it. This verse from Numbers 23:19 shows us just how true and faithful God is.

Trust in Him—He keeps His word and carries out His promises every time!

Hebrews 6:18

"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged."

God never changes, and Hebrews 6:18 makes this clear. This verse tells us that God’s word and oath are two things that will always stay the same. It gives people hope and a strong feeling of safety because it shows how true God is to His promises.

Just like a rainbow stands as a beautiful sign that He won’t flood the earth again, this verse is a shining reminder of his endless mercy.

The promise in Hebrews 6:18 builds trust among those who believe. They find courage in knowing God’s faithfulness is as sure as the colors of a rainbow after rain. Seeing these words linked with rainbows means looking at every bright arc in the sky and remembering—the bond with God is unbreakable, filled with grace just waiting to be embraced.

Symbol of Hope and Peace

Revelation 1:16

"In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."

In Revelation 1:16, John sees something amazing. Jesus has seven stars in His right hand. These stars are special—they stand for the angels of seven churches. It’s like a secret code where each star is a message to a church.

This verse shows power and mystery. Imagine it—stars in someone’s hand! And not just any stars, but ones that mean so much more. They’re part of God’s big plan and show us He has control over everything, even the things we don’t understand yet.

Genesis 9:17

"So God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.’"

God gave us the rainbow as a powerful promise. He said every time we see it, to remember He made a special agreement with all life on earth. It’s like God put His signature in the sky after Noah’s flood to show His talk is true and He won’t flood the whole world again.

The verse from Genesis 9:17 tells us this colorful arc isn’t just pretty; it’s full of meaning—a reminder that God keeps His word, always.

Thanksgiving and Praise

Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."

Psalm 28:7 shows us that God is our shield. He gives us strength and helps when we need it. This verse tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart. It’s like a rainbow after a storm, making us remember His love and care for us.

With Psalm 28:7 in mind, we see how rainbows are not just beautiful but also powerful. They remind us of God’s promises and His never-ending support. Like a bright band of colors across the sky, this verse brings hope to our hearts.

Psalm 105:8

"He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations."

God keeps his word forever. He made a promise to a thousand generations. This verse from Psalm 105:8 tells us about how serious God is with his promises. It’s like the rainbow he put in the sky after the flood—it’s a sign that he remembers what he said and will keep it, no matter what.

Every time we see a rainbow, we can think of Psalm 105:8. It talks about God being faithful and reminds us of his love that doesn’t end. Rainbows show us that God stays true to his people, just as he did with Israel long ago.

Psalm 106:1

"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endure forever."

Psalm 106:1 calls us to praise the Lord. It tells us that God’s love is always with us and never ends. This verse teaches that we should say thank you to God for all the good things He does.

We must also admit when we do wrong and know that God deserves glory every day, no matter what happens.

Psalm 107:1

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His love never ends. Psalm 107:1 speaks right to our hearts. It tells us to be thankful because God’s kindness is forever. When we’re lost or in trouble, this verse reminds us that God always welcomes us back with open arms.

It paints a picture of captives set free and returning home full of joy. This small but mighty line shows how much we mean to God and why we should always give praise.

Psalm 136:1-9

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. Who made the great lights—His love endures forever. The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever."

Psalm 136:1-9 tells us to thank the Lord because He is good. His love never stops. This part of the Bible talks about God’s wonders and how strong He is. It says the Lord made the heavens, spread out the earth, and created great lights—the sun to rule by day and the moon and stars for night.

Each time, it reminds us: His faithful love goes on forever.

This song from long ago makes sure we don’t forget God’s love and power. Again and again—twenty-six times—it says that God’s kind love lasts all the time. So when you see those big things in nature like oceans or mountains, remember this Psalm’s words—God’s amazing kindness keeps going no matter what!

What Does the Bible Say About Rainbows?

In the Bible, rainbows are a big deal. They show up after it rains as a bright and colorful bow in the sky. The first time we see one is in Genesis, right after Noah’s flood. God tells Noah that the rainbow is a sign of His promise.

This promise is important—it’s God saying He won’t ever flood the whole earth again.

Rainbows also show up when people talk about seeing God or His throne room. In those parts of the Bible, like in Ezekiel and Revelation, they describe something amazing—a sparkle like gems around where God sits! So, every time you see a rainbow, it’s not just pretty; it’s also a reminder that God keeps His promises and loves all living things on earth.

Conclusion

Rainbows in the Bible? They’re signs of hope and God’s big promise. From Noah’s story to shining visions in Revelation, they remind us—God sticks to His word. Think about that next time you spot a rainbow painting the sky! It’s not just pretty, it means a lot more.

FAQs

1. What do rainbows mean in the Bible?

In the Bible, rainbows are signs of God’s covenant, like a promise. After the story of Noah and the flood, God put a rainbow in the sky as a sign to Noah that He would never flood the earth again.

2. Can you find rainbow references in both Old and New Testaments?

Yes! The first mention is in Genesis – specifically, after Noah’s ark rests on Mount Ararat. In Revelation, there’s talk of a new heaven and new earth where John sees God’s throne surrounded by something like a rainbow.

3. How is Jesus connected with rainbows according to Christian beliefs?

Christians see Jesus as part of God’s covenants mentioned throughout the Bible—like those made with Abraham and Moses—pointing ahead to what Christians call the “new covenant” prophesied by Jeremiah which promises eternal life through faith symbolized by John 3:16.

4. Are there specific verses about rainbows I can read?

Sure are! Check out Genesis 9:13-17 for when God establishes His rainbow covenant with all living creatures. You might also peek at Ezekiel 1:28 or Revelation 4:3 for some heavenly visions featuring rainbows.

5. Does every appearance of a rainbow point toward something spiritual?

Typically yes – but remember, Matthew 5:45 mentions how natural things like sunshine and rain—the stuff that makes actual rainbows—are blessings from God on everyone alike.

6. Who were key figures related to biblical covenants linked with rainbows?

Look back at folks such as Noah who navigated that huge flood; Abram whose name was changed to Abraham when he became part of God’s special family plan; Moses who led Israelites towards their promised land; and high priests like Aaron wearing special garments representing holy service—all these tie into understanding this rich tapestry!