PURPLE. In the ancient world the color purple was a mark of high rank and nobility. This was occasioned by the very high cost of the purple dye used for the clothing of nobles and royalty. A special purple dye was extracted from the murex shellfish found in the eastern Mediterranean. The ancient Canaanites already had learned the technique of making this dye, a deep crimson color with shades ranging from blue to red. The name Canaan prob. originally meant “land of the purple” and is found in Akkadian and Hurrian as Kinahhi (cf. the Hurrian word kinahhu, “purple”). Likewise, the name Phoenicia seems to reflect the purple dye industry of the land since it is related to the Gr. φοινίξ, “purple” (J. Finegan, Light from the Ancient Past [1959], 135f.).
In OT and NT times this purple dye was in great demand by the wealthy classes. Purple clothing with fine linen was a status symbol, and purple was considered a valuable possession as shown by its occurrences in the Bible. Purple was included in the precious things offered by the people for the Tabernacle (Exod 26:1) and in the priestly robes (39:3). A purple cloth was used as a covering for the golden altar when it was being moved (Num 4:13). Gideon took the “purple garments worn by the kings of Midian” as spoil after his defeat of the Midianites (Judg 8:26). Among the skilled workers requested by Solomon from Hiram the king of Tyre was one skilled “to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics” (2 Chron 2:7, 14). The colors in the veil of the Temple were blue, purple, and crimson (2 Chron 3:14). Among the elaborate decorations given by King Ahasuerus were “hangings caught up with cords of fine linen and purple” (Esth 1:6). Later, Mordecai in his new position wore a mantle of purple and linen (Esth 8:15). In Proverbs 31:22 a good wife has clothing of fine linen and purple. King Solomon’s palanquin had a seat of purple (Song of Solomon 3:10). The queen’s flowing locks are like purple (Song of Solomon 7:5). The luxurious appearance of idols in violet and purple is meaningless in comparison with Yahweh (Jer 10:9), and Tyre’s greatness and commerce in purple and other goods is ephemeral (Ezek 27:7, 16).
In the NT the rich man in the parable of Dives and Lazarus is described as “clothed in purple and fine linen” (Luke 16:19). When the soldiers mocked Jesus during His trial, they clothed Him in a purple robe and put a crown of thorns on His head (Mark 15:17-20; John 19:2, 5). In the apocalyptic visions seen by John, the “great harlot” named “Babylon the great” is depicted as a woman “arrayed in purple and scarlet, and bedecked with gold and jewels and pearls” (Rev 17:4). Her fall is mourned by the merchants of the earth since the market for their goods, including such luxuries as gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet (18:11f.), had been destroyed (cf. 18:16).
Lydia, whom Paul met at Philippi, is described as a “seller of purple goods” (Acts 16:14). She is further described as a native of Thyatira, a city in western Asia Minor. Thyatira was a textile center, and one of her major industries was the dyeing of purple cloth. The existence of a guild of dyers at Thyatira is attested by a number of inscriptions (e.g., CIG 3496-3498).
The significance of purple cloth is also indicated in the non-Biblical sources. Booty taken by the Assyrian conquerors of Syria and Palestine often included fine clothing made of wool and linen. Among the precious things captured by Tiglath-pileser III (744-727 b.c.) from the kings of the W (including Judah and Samaria) were “linen garments with multicolored trimmings, garments of their native (industries) (being made of) dark purple wool” (J. B. Pritchard, ANET [1950], 282f.). In the Gr. world, purple was often the sign of royalty and high rank.