Scarlet: This dye was obtained by the Egyptians from the shell-fish Carthamus
tinctorius; and by the Hebrews from the Coccus ilicis, an insect
which infests oak trees, called kermes by the Arabians.1. This colour was early known
(Genesis 38:28)
2. It was one of the colours of
a. the ephod
(Exodus 28:6)
b. the girdle
(Exodus 28:8)
c. the breastplate
(Exodus 28:15) of the high priest.
3. It is also mentioned in various other connections
(Joshua 2:18)
(2 Samuel 1:24; Lamentations 4:5; Nahum 2:3)
4. A scarlet robe was in mockery placed on our Lord
(Matthew 27:28; Luke 23:11)
5. "Sins as scarlet"
(Isaiah 1:18) i.e., as scarlet robes "glaring and
habitual." Scarlet and crimson were the firmest of dyes, and thus
not easily washed out.
