Blue, purple, scarlet, the colors of thread, and white linen. The colors of the tabernacle. In Exodus alone, there are 33 references to these colors concerning the tabernacle’s construction and the items it contained. That is before we look at the references in the books of Numbers and 2 Chronicles. Each detail in the Word matters, so the reason these colors were used must matter as well. This study is going to take us across multiple references, including the Dake Annotated Study Bible, The Perry Stone Hebraic Prophetic Study Bible, The Complete Jewish Study Bible, and an article from www.owlcation.com that discusses the purpose of the tabernacle and the colors. While the perceived meanings of the colors used are mere manmade speculation, they indeed make sense when you look at different scriptures, and more importantly seem to without question point to Yeshua.
Exodus 25:1-9 [1] Adonai said to Moshe, [2] “Tell the people of Isra’el to take up a collection for me – accept a contribution from anyone who wholeheartedly wants to give. [3] The contribution you are to take from them is to consist of gold, silver, and bronze; [4] blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen, goat’s hair, [5] tanned ram skins and fine leather; acacia-wood; [6] oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; [7] onyx stones and other stones to be set, for the ritual vest and breastplate. [8] They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them. [9] You are to make it according to everything I show you – the design of the tabernacle and the design of its furnishings. This is how you are to make it.
Have you ever wondered where the Children of Israel got all the things and how they had them on hand to be able to contribute for the Tabernacle? I mean, these are not things that are just going to pop up in the desert.
[35] The people of Isra’el had done what Moshe had said – they had asked the Egyptians to give them silver and gold jewelry and clothing. [36] and Adonai had made the Egyptians so favorably disposed toward the people that they had let them have whatever they requested. Thus, they plundered the Egyptians. Exodus 12:35-36
At one time, the things of Egypt were built upon the backs of the Hebrews, now, the Tabernacle, the Mishkan, was to be built from the wealth of Egypt. One of the things that would have come from the Egyptians would have been the white linen as it was utilized commonly by the Egyptians for clothing. If you look at photos of hieroglyphs from ancient Egypt, you will also see a lot of blue accent, as well as scarlet. Those may have been yarns that they brought out of Egypt, or it is possible that they were created and dyed at the time of the construction
Before looking at each color, let’s take a look at the different scriptures covering them. There are a lot of scriptures we are looking at, so I hope that you will stick with me.
You are to make the tabernacle with ten sheets of finely woven linen and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn. You are to make them with k’ruim (cherubim) worked in, that have been crafted by a killed artisan. Exodus 26:1
Make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost sheet in the first set and do the same o the edge of the outermost sheet in the second set. Exodus 26:4
You are to make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen. Make it with k’ruvim worked in, that have been crafted b a skilled artisan. Exodus 26:31
For the entrance to the tent, make a screen of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen; it should be in colors, the work of a weaver. Exodus 26:36
For the gateway of the courtyard there is to be a screen thirty feet long made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen. It should be in colors, the work of a weaver. It is to be on four posts in four sockets. Exodus 27:16
[5] They are to use gold; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; and fine linen. [6] They are to make the ritual vest of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely woven linen, crafted by a skilled artisan. Exodus 28:5-6
Its decorated belt is to be of the same workmanship and materials – gold; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely woven linen. Exodus 28:8
Make a breastplate for judging. Have it crafted by a skilled artisan; make it like the work of the ritual vest – make it of gold; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; and finely woven linen. Exodus 28:15
Then bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the vest with a blue cord, so that it can be on the vest’s decorated belt, and so that the breastplate won’t swing loose from the vest. Exodus 28:28
You are to make the robe for the ritual vest entirely of blue. Exodus 28:31
On its bottom hem make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet; and put them all the way around, with gold bells between them all the way around. Exodus 28:33
Fasten it to the turban with a blue chord, on the front of the turban. Exodus 28:37
By the end of Exodus 39 the Tabernacle has been completed, but when we look at the book of Numbers, we find a continuation concerning these colors and how they were used concerning the items within the Tabernacle.
[5] When the time comes to break camp, Aharon is to go in with his sons, take down the curtain which serves as a screen, and cover the ark of the testimony with it. [6] On that they are to place a covering of fine leather, and on top o that spread an all-blue cloth. Then they are to insert the carrying-polies. [7] On the table of showbread they are to spread a blue cloth and place on it the dishes, incense pans, offering bowls and pitchers. The perpetual bread is to remain on the table. [8] They are to spread on these things a scarlet cloth, cover them with a covering of fine leather and insert the poles. [9] They are to take a blue cloth and cover the menorah for the light, its lamps, its tong, its trays, and the jars used to add oil to it. [10] They are to wrap it and all its accessories in fine leather and place them on a carrying -frame. [11] On the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with a covering of fine leather and insert its carrying poles. [12] They are to take all the utensils they use when serving in the sanctuary and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather and place them on a carrying-frame. [13] After removing the greasy ashes from the altar, they are to spread a purple cloth over it [14] and place on it all the utensils required for their altar service – the fire pans, meat-hooks, shovels, basins and other utensils for the altar. Numbers 4:5-14
[37] Adonai said to Moshe, [38] Speak to the people of Isra’el, instructing them to make, through all their generations, tzitziyot (specially made fringes worn on the four corners of a man’s tallit. In ancient times, including the first century, the tallit was a cloak or robe included in normal male attire. After clothes stopped being made with “corners”, Judaism created the modern tallit or prayer shawl so that the mitzvah could be performed. CJSB) on the corners of their garments, and to put with the tzitzit on each corner a blue thread. [39] It is to be a tzitzit for you to look and thereby remember all of Adonai’s mitzvot and obey them, so that you won’t go around wherever your own heart and eyes lead you to prostitute yourselves; [40] but it will help you remember and obey all of my mitzvot and be holy for your God. [41] I am Adonai your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt in order to be your God. I am Adonai your God. Numbers 15:37-41
WHEW! That is a lot of scripture, and it doesn’t even encompass the fact that it is repeated later in Exodus as the tabernacle was being constructed. In doing so, it tells us that God wants us to pay attention to the details concerning the tabernacle, otherwise, He would have just given the instructions to Moses followed up with an “And they built it according to the directions given to Moses”. They pointed out every single detail twice, down to the colors of the thread. Let us now look at each individual color.
Blue
Both Perry Stone and owlcation say that blue represents the color of heaven and eternal things. Provided it is a nice day, when we look towards the heavens, we will see blue skies. Blue is referenced, according to Dake, 42 times in connections with the curtains and furnishings of the tabernacle and temple, as well as the garments of the priests and the threads in the fringes of the tallit. When we look back at the scriptures concerning the tallit, those fringes were to help them to remember and obey the commands of God. Blue is a reminder of Adonai in our lives. There is something else to consider with the color blue tying to the heavens. In Exodus and in Ezekiel, God’s throne is described as being made of sapphire, which of course, is blue.
And they saw the God of Isra’el. Under his feet was something like a sapphire stone pavement as clear as the sky itself. Exodus 24:11
[26] Above the dome that was over their heads was something like a throne that looked like a sapphire. On it, above it, was what Appeared to be a person. [27] I saw what looked like gleaming, amber-colored fire radiating from what appeared to be his waist upward. Downward from what appeared to be his waist, I saw what looked like fire, giving a brilliant light all round him. [28] This brilliance around him looked like a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was how the appearance of the glory of Adonai looked. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking. Ezekiel 1:26-28
Then I looked, and suddenly, on the dome over the heads of the k’ruvim, there appeared above them something like sapphire that seemed to take the form of a throne. Ezekiel 10:1
When I looked up the definition of heaven in the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, I found the words, “the breath of the sky”. When I saw this definition, I immediately thought of a song that is played during the Christmas season and I believe was originally performed by Amy Grant called “Breath of Heaven”, which is of course about Yeshua. When I looked at the numeric of heaven, or samayim in Hebrew, it holds a numeric value of 390. Yisi, which is a derivative of Yeshua, means “God has saved”. In the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, it is defined as “When the flock is in trouble, the shepherd rescues it.” Yisi also has a numeric value of 390. Perry Stone reveals that blue, the color of heaven “alludes to how the Son of God would descend from heaven and dwell or tabernacle among men.”
The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw his Sh’khinah, the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Therefore, Adonai himself will give you people a sign: the young woman (virgin) will become pregnant, bear a son and name him ‘Immanu El (God is with us). Isaiah 7:14
Purple
Purple has long been associated with royalty, wealth, and power. Even crayons have a shade specifically called “royal purple”. It is the color of kings. In Proverbs 31, the Bible speaks of a woman of high status, and according to Jewish tradition, this was recited by Avraham to his wife Sarah. It in turn is traditionally recited to Jewish wives by their husbands of the Eve of Shabbat. The KJV starts this chapter saying, “Who can find a woman of valor?” while the CJSB reads, “Who can find a capable wife?” and explains “Capable wife is a rather weak translation of eshet chayil. Chayil connotes strength and heroism. So, a better understanding would be “heroic woman”. Deborah the judge (Judges 4) comes to mind as an example. As the eshet chayil she has clear leadership qualities and is industrious and upright. Midrash Tanhuma notes this woman is like Sarah, who is described as clothed in strength and majesty as pictured by the cloud of glory that hovered over her tent.” Verse 22 reads, “She makes her own quilts; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.” Fine linen and purple thread were used to clothe the tent of meeting, the tabernacle.
Another word that is synonymous with royalty, is majesty. This is a word that we see tied to Adonai throughout scripture, especially within the Psalms.
Adonai is king, robed in majesty; Adonai is robed, girded with strength. The world is well established; it cannot be moved. Psalm 93:1
[1] Bless Adonai, my soul! Adonai, my God, you are very great; you are clothed with glory and majesty, [2] wrapped in light as with a robe. You spread out the heavens like a curtain, [3] you laid the beams of your palace on the water. You make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind. Psalm 104:1-3
While these two passages of scripture indeed reflect the majesty and power of Adonai, there is another psalm, that ties to the royal color purple, yet in a more prophetic manner.
7(6) But I am a worm, not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 8(7) All who see me jeer at me; they sneer and shake their heads: 9(8) “He committed himself to Adonai, so let him rescue him! Let his set him free if he takes such delight in him!” Psalm 22: 7(6)-9(8)
The words of this psalm were made manifest at the crucifixion of Yeshua. While each of the gospels give similar accounts, we will look at Matthew’s.
[17] They dressed him in purple and wove thorn branches into a crown, which they put on him. [18] Then they began to salute him, “Hail to the King of the Jews!” [19] They hit him on the head with a stick, spat on him, and kneeled in mock worship of him. [20] When they had finished ridiculing him, they took off the purple robe, put his own clothes back on him and let him away to be nailed to the execution-stake. Matthew 15:17-20
[26] Over his head, the written notice of the charge against him read, THE KING OF THE JEWS [29] People passing by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! So, you can destroy the Temple, can you, and rebuild it in three days? [30] Save yourself and come down from the steak!” [31] Likewise, the head Cohanim and the Torah-teachers made fun of him, saying to each other, “He saved others but he can’t save himself!” [32] and, “So he’s the Messiah, is he? The King of Isra’el? Let him come down now from the stake! If we see that, then we’ll believe him!” Even the men nailed up with him insulted him. Matthew 15:26,29-32
He left the glory and majesty of heaven, to come to this earth as a man, to go through all of that, for ME. For YOU. It cuts to the heart when you are honest with yourself and allow yourself to think about each detail of the price He paid. And now, now He sits at the right hand of the Father, [1] Here is the whole point of what we have been saying: we do have just such a choen gadol (high priest) as has been described. And he does sit at the right hand of HaG’dulah in heaven. [2] There he serves in the Holy Place, that is, in the true Tent of Meeting, the one erected not by human beings, but by Adonai. Hebrews 1:1-2
Scarlet/Crimson
Scarlet or crimson are the color of man and the color of blood. The first man was named Adam, which according to Strong’s Concordance means “man, human being; humankind.” A more literal translation for the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon shows that it means, “The color red, the color of blood, man and the earth.” It is interesting to note, that when we take away the “A” from Adam, we are left with the word dam, which means “blood, and by extension: bloodshed, death; blood-covered fluids: grape juice, wine; “to pour out blood” is “to kill” since life is in the blood.” Below is taken from the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible. As Hebrew is read right to left, the letters are Dalet which means door, and Mem, which means water. (Please click the above line to see the pictographs)
( דם ) Action: Dumb, Silent, Sleep, Weep Object: Blood, Red, Pieces, Tear Abstract: Likeness, Compare Definition: Similarly, the grape plant takes water from the ground and moves it to the fruit where the water becomes the blood of the grape. Ancient Hebrew: The pictograph is a door representing the idea of moving back and forth. The is a picture of water and can represent any liquid especially blood. Combined these pictures mean "the moving back and forth of water" or the "flowing of blood"
( masc., דם / dam ) Translation: BLOOD Definition: The red fluid that circulates through the body. Relationship to Root: The blood of man is also water, which moves through the body. When the blood is shed, the man or animal becomes silent. A son from the blood of his father resembles his father. Alternate Translations: bloodshed (when in the plural form) KJV Translations: blood, bloody, bloodguilt Strong's Hebrew #: h.1818
The significance of the color scarlet probably stands out the most as it is only by the The significance of the color scarlet probably stands out the most as it is only by the shedding of blood that sins are atoned for. This is true both before and with the crucifixion of Yeshua. Red is the color of redemption and salvation as Rahab found out when the spies Joshua sent to Jericho told her, “[17] We will not be guilty of violating the oath you made us swear, provided that [18] when we enter the land, you tie this piece of scarlet cord in the window you let us down from; and you gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and your father’s entire household.” Joshua 2:17-18
Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now,” says Adonai, “Let’s talk this over together. Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; even if they are red as crimson, they will be like wool.” It is the desire of the heart of Adonai that all come to repentance. Before Yeshua, this was accomplished through the sacrifice of animals. On the Day of Atonement, or Yom-Kippur, two goats, identical in appearance, would be brought before Aharon at the entrance of the tabernacle. He would then cast lots for both goats. One lot would determine which goat would be offered to Adonai as a sin offering, and which goat would be sent into the desert for Aza’zel, or scapegoat. According to the Talmud, a crimson or scarlet thread was tied around the neck of the goat for the Lord and around the right horn of the scapegoat. Aharon, or the priest would then lay his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, transferring the sins of Israel onto the goat. According to the Perry Stone Hebraic Prophetic Study Bible, “Tradition says that in Jerusalem, a third red thread was tacked to the temple doors, and once the scapegoat died in the desert, the red thread supernaturally turned white, indicating that the sins of the people had been forgiven.” Amazingly, we see the exact scenario of the scapegoat played out during the trail of Yeshua. I read a passage out of The Book of Mysteries by Johnathan Cahn daily, and one of the mysteries tells this amazingly. He tells that Messiah had to be one of the two lives presented before the people in order to be chosen as the sacrifice, and the other would be let go. Barabbas, was chosen to be set free as Yeshua was condemned to die. He also points out that the two goats, or lives had to be identical. Yeshua, the Messiah was the Son of God, the Son of the Father. The name Barabbas comes from two Hebrew words, bar, which means son, and abba, which means father. Barabbas means the son of the father.
The word blood, dam, has a numeric value of 44. 44 also is the value of the phrase, “He redeems”.
Three colors blue, purple, scarlet. All three tie to Yeshua.
Blue: The color of heaven: Jesus is the God of Heaven
Purple: The color of royalty: Jesus is the Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords
Scarlet: The color of man and blood: Jesus is the Son of Man and the Lamb of God
Three colors blue, purple, scarlet. All three tie to us.
Blue: The color of heaven: That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. Ephesians 2:6-7
Purple: The color of royalty: But you are a chosen people, the King’s Cohanim, (royal priesthood) a holy nation, a people for God to possess! Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Scarlet: The color of man and blood: It is through his Son that we have redemption – that is, our sins have been forgiven. Colossians 1:14
Human beings are made up of three parts, body, soul, and spirit. In the tabernacle there are three colors of thread. Jonah spent three days in the belly of the whale. Daniel would pray three times a day. Yeshua spent three days in the heart of the earth. The Godhead consists of three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us that a three-strand cord is not easily broken. The numeric value of 3 had two things that stood out to me. First being: Father, teacher, or Lord. Second: To enter, to lead, to bear. Jesus bore our sins, (red) became our lord, (purple) and led us to the Father. (blue)
But what about the white linen?
After this, I looked; and there before me was a huge crowd, too large for anyone to count, from every nation, tribe, people and language. They were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands; and they shouted, “Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10
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