The colour Purple in scripture is translated from the Hebrew words 'argaman' which
means purple or red-purple and 'arg@van' meaning purple. The colour purple was
found for example in the materials used for constructing of the Tabernacle and Temple.
We read that God commanded Moses saying:
"Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue,
purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them." Exod 26:1
and
"You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen.
It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim." Exod 26:31
The Greek word 'porphura', which refers to purple and the purple fish, a species of shell fish
or mussel from which the dye colour is derived. This species was relatively rare and thus
the purple dye was quite valuable. Two more Greek words are 'porphurous' which means
purple or dyed in purple and 'porphuropolis' which refers to a seller of purple or fabric dyed
in purple. In this context we can think of Lydia to whom Paul preached:
"Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city
of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things
spoken by Paul." Acts 16:14
The colour purple is associated with royalty and status for example: "So Mordecai
went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great
crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced
and was glad." Esther 8:15
See also: Judges 8:26; Daniel 5:7&16.
Colours in the Bible