The ancient arabs distinguished two races; one red, ruddy, which we call white, the other black.⁽¹⁾
In context of skin colour, ruddy had always been a trait exclusive to describing white persons.
Adam's name means "ruddy blushing man," which denoted his appearance.⁽²⁾
Eve was the "flesh of his [Adam's] flesh" and hence also ruddy and white, as were their descendants.⁽³⁾
1. ^ Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon H120
2. ^ Strong's Concordance H119 & H120
3. ^ Genesis 2.23
