In biblical contexts, the color blue, often associated with the Hebrew term tekelet, carries significant symbolic weight. This hue, derived from a dye extracted from a specific sea snail, was highly valued and reserved for sacred purposes. Examples of its usage include the tassels (tzitzit) on the corners of garments, as commanded in Numbers 15:38, and the cloths used to cover holy objects in the Tabernacle during transport, as detailed in Numbers 4.
The use of this specific color signified royalty, divinity, and connection to the heavens. Its presence on the tassels served as a constant reminder to the Israelites to remember and obey God’s commandments. Similarly, covering sacred objects with blue cloth emphasized their divine nature and protected them from profanation. The historical scarcity and cost of the dye further contributed to its symbolic representation of value and importance within the religious and cultural landscape.