Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 7838 (שָׁחֹר, shachor): This Hebrew word also means black and is used in similar contexts in the Old Testament, such as in Song of Solomon 1:5, "I am dark yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon."

• Strong's Hebrew 6209 (עֲרָב, arav): While primarily meaning "to grow dark" or "to become evening," it can also be associated with the color black in certain contexts.

These entries provide a comprehensive understanding of the term μέλας, its usage in the New Testament, and its connection to similar Hebrew terms, offering insight into the thematic and symbolic significance of the color black in biblical literature.

Usage: The term μέλας is used in the New Testament to describe the color black or something that is dark in appearance. It can be used both literally and metaphorically.

Context: The Greek word μέλας appears in the New Testament to denote the color black. It is a descriptive term that can be applied to various contexts, including physical objects and metaphorical expressions. In the Berean Standard Bible, μέλας is used in the following passages:

• Matthew 5:36: "Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black." Here, μέλας is used to describe the natural color of hair, emphasizing human inability to change it, thus illustrating the futility of swearing by one's own head.

• Revelation 6:5: "And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, 'Come!' Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales." In this apocalyptic vision, the black horse symbolizes famine and economic hardship, with μέλας conveying the ominous and severe nature of the judgment.

• Revelation 6:12: "And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red." Here, μέλας is used to describe the sun turning black, a sign of cosmic disturbance and divine intervention.

The use of μέλας in these contexts highlights its role in conveying themes of change, judgment, and the limits of human control. The color black often symbolizes mourning, affliction, or the unknown, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of human dependence on divine sovereignty.