Scarlet
Scarlet is a bright red color made from certain insects. People in the ancient world used it to color valuable cloth and thread (Revelation 18:12). It is often difficult to tell the difference between “scarlet” and “crimson” in the Bible.
At Zerah’s birth, a scarlet thread was tied around his hand (Genesis 38:28, 30). Scarlet also describes cloth used in the tabernacle, the sacred tent where Israel worshiped God (Exodus 25:4; 26:1, 31, 36; 27:16).
Scarlet also describes:
parts of the priests’ clothing (Exodus 28:5–8, 15, 33),
a rope (Joshua 2:18, 21)
clothing (2 Samuel 1:24; Proverbs 31:21; Jeremiah 4:30),
lips (Song of Solomon 4:3), and
soldiers’ uniforms (Nahum 2:3).
Scarlet material was also used in several religious ceremonies. It was used when the covenant, a binding agreement, was confirmed at Mount Sinai (Hebrews 9:19). It was also used:
to cleanse a person with a serious skin disease (Leviticus 14:4–6),
to cleanse a house (Leviticus 14:49–52),
to cover the objects on the table of the bread of the Presence (Numbers 4:8), and
in the ceremony of the red cow (Numbers 19:6).
Matthew says that Jesus wore a scarlet robe during his trial (Matthew 27:28). In Revelation, a woman dressed in purple and scarlet sits on a scarlet beast (Revelation 17:3–4). Purple and scarlet clothing also represents the wealth and luxury of Rome (Revelation 18:16).
Like “red” and “crimson,” ”scarlet” can also describe sin (Isaiah 1:18).