Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Purple, a color of significant importance in the Bible, is often associated with royalty, wealth, and fine craftsmanship. The dye used to produce purple was rare and expensive, derived from the murex shellfish, making it a symbol of high status and luxury.Biblical References and Symbolism 1. Royalty and Nobility: Purple is frequently mentioned in the context of kings and nobility. In the book of Esther, Mordecai is honored by King Ahasuerus and is clothed in royal garments, including a robe of purple (Esther 8:15: "Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple"). This highlights the association of purple with royal authority and honor. 2. The Tabernacle and Temple: Purple was one of the colors used in the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, signifying its sacredness and the divine presence. In Exodus 26:1, the instructions for the Tabernacle include the use of "blue, purple, and scarlet yarn" (BSB: "You are to make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them"). This use underscores the color's connection to holiness and divine worship. 3. The Virtuous Woman: In Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman is described as clothing her household in scarlet and herself in fine linen and purple (Proverbs 31:22: "She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple"). This passage reflects the industriousness and dignity of the woman, as well as the prosperity and respect she commands. 4. The Rich Man and Lazarus: In the New Testament, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus features a rich man who is described as dressing in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day (Luke 16:19: "Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor"). This depiction serves as a contrast to Lazarus's poverty and highlights themes of wealth, privilege, and the moral responsibilities that accompany them. 5. Lydia of Thyatira: Lydia, a seller of purple goods, is mentioned in Acts 16:14 as a worshiper of God whose heart the Lord opened to respond to Paul's message (Acts 16:14: "Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message"). Her profession indicates her involvement in a lucrative trade, and her conversion marks a significant moment in the spread of Christianity. Cultural and Historical Context The production of purple dye in ancient times was labor-intensive and costly, involving the extraction of a small amount of dye from thousands of murex snails. This process made purple garments a luxury item, affordable only to the wealthy and powerful. The color's rarity and the effort required to produce it contributed to its symbolic association with royalty and divinity. In biblical times, the use of purple in garments and textiles was a clear indicator of social status and wealth. It was often reserved for the elite, including kings, priests, and those of high social standing. The color's presence in religious settings, such as the Tabernacle and Temple, further emphasized its sacred and revered status. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, purple serves as a powerful symbol of wealth, nobility, and divine favor. Its use in both secular and sacred contexts underscores its significance in the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel and the early Christian community. ATS Bible Dictionary PurpleThe famous and costly Tyrian purple, the royal color of the ancients, is said to have been discovered by the Tyrian Hercules, whose dog having by chance eaten a shellfish called Purpura, and returning to his master with his lips tinged with a purple color, occasioned the discovery of this precious dye. Purple, however, is much more ancient than this, since we find it mentioned by Moses in several places. Two kinds of purple are mentioned in the Old Testament: 1. Argamon, rendered in our version "purple," denoting a reddish purple obtained from a species of muscle or shellfish found on the coasts of the Mediterranean. 2. Techieleth, rendered in the English Bible "blue." This was a bluish or cerulean purple, likewise obtained from another species of shellfish. The "scarlet" or "crimson," for the two words denote essentially the same color, was produced from the coccus in sect, coccus ilicis. All these were sacred colors among the Jews; and the latter was used for the highpriest's ephod, and for veils, ribbons, and cloths, Exodus 26:1,4,31,36 28:31 Numbers 4:6-12 15:38. The "purple" of the ancients seems to have included many different tints derived originally from the shellfish, and modified by various arts in which the Tyrians excelled. As each fish yielded but a few drops of coloring matter, the choicest purple bore a very high price. Purple robes were worn by the kings and first magistrates of ancient Rome, and Nero forbade their use by his subjects under pain of death. Our Savior was clothed with a royal robe of purple, in mockery of his title, "The King of the Jews" John 19:2,5. Compare also Jud 8:26 Esther 8:15 Proverbs 31:22 Daniel 5:7 Luke 16:19. Moses used much wool dyed of a crimson and used much wool dyed of a crimson and purple color in the work of the tabernacle, and in the ornaments of the high priest, Exodus 25:4 26:1,31,36 39:1 2Ch 3:14. The Babylonians also clothed their idols in robes of a purple and azure color, Jeremiah 10:9 Ezekiel 23:15 27:7,16. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.2. (n.) Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple. 3. (n.) Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth. 4. (n.) A cardinalate. See Cardinal. 5. (n.) Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple (B. arthemis). 6. (n.) Any shell of the genus Purpura. 7. (n.) See Purpura. 8. (n.) A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle. 9. (a.) Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or red and blue color; as, a purple robe. 10. (a.) Imperial; regal; -- so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority. 11. (a.) Blood-red; bloody. 12. (v. t.) To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands purpled with blood. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PURPLEpur'-p'-l ('argaman; Chaldaic 'argewan (2 Chronicles 2:7); compare Arabic 'urjuwan, and Persian 'arghawan; porphura, porphureos Septuagint and New Testament)): Greek 4209. porphura -- purple fish, purple dye, purple cloth ... purple fish, purple dye, purple cloth. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: porphura Phonetic Spelling: (por-foo'-rah) Short Definition: a purple ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4209.htm - 7k 4210. porphurous -- purple 4211. porphuropolis -- a seller of purple fabrics 5191. huakinthinos -- of hyacinth, hyacinthine Strong's Hebrew 713. argaman -- purple, red-purple... 712, 713. argaman. 714 . purple, red-purple. Transliteration: argaman Phonetic Spelling: (ar-gaw-mawn') Short Definition: purple. ... /hebrew/713.htm - 6k 711. argevan -- purple, red-purple 710. argevan -- purple 8438. tola -- worm, scarlet stuff 8504. tekeleth -- violet, violet thread 8321. soreq -- (choice species of) the vine Library He Made the Pillars Thereof of Silver, the Couch of Gold, the ... Thine Head Upon Thee is Like Carmel, and the Hair of Thy Head Like ... The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ... Of the Mockery which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate's Cohort ... The Emperor and Empress The Child Samuel. Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ... Dress as Connected with Idolatry. Things Seemed to be Arranged in Some Measure to the Satisfaction ... The Contrast. Thesaurus Purple (54 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode ... /p/purple.htm - 28k Twined (25 Occurrences) Finely (27 Occurrences) Yarn (37 Occurrences) Byssus (40 Occurrences) Craftsman (23 Occurrences) Needlework (23 Occurrences) Designer (12 Occurrences) Stuff (49 Occurrences) Twisted (79 Occurrences) Resources Is there any significance to colors in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a scarlet thread? | GotQuestions.org What is biblical homemaking? | GotQuestions.org Purple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Purple (54 Occurrences)Mark 15:17 Mark 15:20 Luke 16:19 John 19:2 John 19:5 Acts 16:14 Revelation 17:4 Revelation 18:12 Revelation 18:16 Exodus 25:4 Exodus 26:1 Exodus 26:31 Exodus 26:36 Exodus 27:16 Exodus 28:5 Exodus 28:6 Exodus 28:8 Exodus 28:15 Exodus 28:33 Exodus 35:6 Exodus 35:23 Exodus 35:25 Exodus 35:35 Exodus 36:8 Exodus 36:35 Exodus 36:37 Exodus 38:18 Exodus 38:23 Exodus 39:1 Exodus 39:2 Exodus 39:3 Exodus 39:5 Exodus 39:8 Exodus 39:24 Exodus 39:29 Numbers 4:13 Judges 8:26 2 Chronicles 2:7 2 Chronicles 2:14 2 Chronicles 3:14 Esther 1:6 Esther 8:15 Proverbs 31:22 Song of Songs 3:10 Song of Songs 7:5 Isaiah 1:18 Jeremiah 10:9 Lamentations 4:5 Ezekiel 23:6 Ezekiel 27:7 Ezekiel 27:16 Daniel 5:7 Daniel 5:16 Daniel 5:29 Subtopics Related Terms |
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