Occurrences in the Bible
The English word "gray" is recorded 9 times in 9 King James Bible verses. Six of these references to the color are derived from the Hebrew seybah (Strong's Concordance #H7872). The other three references are in the related word "grayheaded." Grayheaded is derived both from the Hebrew seeb (Strong's #H7867) in 1Samuel 12:2 and Job 15:10, and from seybah in Psalm 71:18.
Background
Gray (grey) has an HTML hex code of #808080. It is a color, on the visible spectrum, that is composed of equal parts of red, green, and blue. Gray (grey) is halfway between the colors of pure black and pure white.
Biblical Symbolism
Gray symbolizes in the Bible, as it does today, a person who has reached an advanced age.
And he (Jacob to his firstborn son Reuben) said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs (seybah) with sorrow to the grave. (Genesis 42:38, KJV).
It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs (seybah) of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. (Genesis 44:31, KJV).
O God, You have taught me from my youth; and until now I have declared Your wonderful works.
But now also when I am old and grayheaded (seybah), O God, do not forsake me until I have declared Your strength to this generation, and Your power to everyone who is to come. (Psalm 71:17 - 18).
Gray Glory
The book of Proverbs reveals that the advantage (glory) of those who are younger is their physical strength and endurance. Those who are older, however, can glory in the wisdom they have learned as testified by their gray hair.
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head (seybah) (Proverbs 20:29, KJV).
A Gray Punishment
Moses, just before he died at the age of 120, warned ancient Israel not to disobey God. In what is referred to as the "song of Moses," He reveals one of the many penalties that will come upon the people for their sins will be the loss of wise gray haired men.
The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs (seybah). (Deuteronomy 32:25, KJV).
Job and His Friends
A man named Eliphaz was the oldest of Job's three "friends." During one of his discourses he attempts to humble Job as well as argue their view of his trials is correct due to their gray headed wisdom.
Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills? Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us? With us are both the grayheaded (seeb) and very aged men, much elder than thy father. (Job 15:7 - 10, KJV).
In the end, Job's three friends were categorically wrong about his situation, as Eliphaz was confronted directly by God!
My (God's) wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (Job 42:7, KJV).
Hoary Heads
The Hebrew seybah (#H7872) is recorded 19 times in 19 King James Old Testament verses. Seven of its uses are translated into an English word or phrase that uses the word "gray." The other 12 uses, however, are translated as synonyms for someone who is older. The word is translated variously as "old age," "hoary head," "hoar head" and so on.
A hoary (hoar) headed individual is one who possesses hair that is gray in color.
And thou (Abraham) shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age (seybah). (Genesis 15:15, KJV).
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head (seybah), and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:32, KJV).
Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head (seybah) go down to the grave in peace. (1Kings 2:6, KJV).
He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary (seybah). (Job 41:32, KJV).
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. (Proverbs 16:31, KJV).
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs (seybeh) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4, KJV).
More Info on Gray
Hair color is created and maintained by the pigment melanin which is injected into each follicle by specialized cells. At a certain age (which varies from person to person), however, the amount of melanin injected decreases and eventually stops. Hairs without this pigment eventually turns gray and then white.
The King James only uses the spelling of "gray" for this color. The only appearance of "grey" in the Bible is in relation to an animal.
There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up . . . (Proverbs 30:29 - 31, KJV).
Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90 (Genesis 17:17) when the Lord personally appeared to the couple to reveal they would finally have a child (Genesis 18)! They are the first two people in the Bible to be labeled "old," meaning they almost certainly had gray hair.
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. (Genesis 18:11, KJV).
Agates, composed of silica, are one of several precious gemstones used in the High Priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:19, 39:12). It can be colorless or have several bands of this pigment as well as white or red.
Other precious gemstones that can possess shades of gray are Chalcedony stones. Their name is derived from the ancient city of Chalcedon where they were believed to be first discovered. It is one of the gemstones God will use to adorn one of New Jerusalem's twelve foundations (Revelation 21:19). Other common colors found within these gems include variations of white, brown, green and blue.
An idiom is an expression whose meaning cannot be determined by the literal interpretation of the words. For example, the idiom "gray area" is a concept or topic that is not clearly defined or that exists somewhere between two extreme positions. People who are referred to as "gray suits" are those who are in business, politics or government who, though unknown, make important decisions behind the scenes.
A "gray market" is one that operates between one that is legal (white market) and one that is illegal (black market). These markets sell products which are legal to own but which are illegal to fully use.