and Revelation 6:5. It was the emblem of mourning, affliction, calamity
(Jeremiah 14:2; Lamentations 4:8; 5:10).
Red, applied to blood (2 Kings 3;22), a heifer (Numbers 19:2), pottage of
lentils (Genesis 25:30), a horse (Zechariah 1:8), wine (Proverbs 23:31), the
complexion (Genesis 25:25; Cant. 5:10). This colour is symbolical of
bloodshed (Zechariah 6:2; Revelation 6:4; 12:3).
Purple, a colour obtained from the secretion of a species of shell-fish (the
Murex trunculus) which was found in the Mediterranean, and particularly
on the coasts of Phoenicia and Asia Minor. The colouring matter in each
separate shell-fish amounted to only a single drop, and hence the great
value of this dye. Robes of this colour were worn by kings (Judges 8:26)
and high officers (Esther 8:15). They were also worn by the wealthy and
luxurious (Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekiel 27:7; Luke 16:19; Revelation 17:4). With
this colour was associated the idea of royalty and majesty (Judges 8:26;
Cant. 3:10; 7:5; Daniel 5:7, 16,29).
Blue. This colour was also procured from a species of shell-fish, the
chelzon of the Hebrews, and the Helix ianthina of modern naturalists. The
tint was emblematic of the sky, the deep dark hue of the Eastern sky. This
colour was used in the same way as purple. The ribbon and fringe of the
Hebrew dress were of this colour (Numbers 15:38). The loops of the
curtains (Exodus 26:4), the lace of the high priest’s breastplate, the robe of
the ephod, and the lace on his mitre, were blue (Exodus 28:28, 31, 37).
Scarlet, or Crimson. In Isaiah 1:18 a Hebrew word is used which denotes
the worm or grub whence this dye was procured. In Genesis 38:28,30, the
word so rendered means “to shine,” and expresses the brilliancy of the
colour. The small parasitic insects from which this dye was obtained
somewhat resembled the cochineal which is found in Eastern countries. It
is called by naturalists Coccus ilics. The dye was procured from the female
grub alone. The only natural object to which this colour is applied in
Scripture is the lips, which are likened to a scarlet thread (Cant. 4:3).
Scarlet robes were worn by the rich and luxurious (2 Samuel 1:24; Proverbs
31:21; Jeremiah 4:30. Revelation 17:4). It was also the hue of the warrior’s
dress (Nah. 2:3; Isaiah 9:5). The Phoenicians excelled in the art of dyeing
this colour (2 Chronicles 2:7).
These four colours--white, purple, blue, and scarlet--were used in the
textures of the tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26:1, 31, 36), and also in the