2847. kokkinos

Lexical Summary

kokkinos: Scarlet, crimson

Original Word: κοκκίνος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: kokkinos
Pronunciation: kok-kee-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (kok'-kee-nos)
KJV: scarlet (colour, coloured)
NASB: scarlet
Word Origin: [from G2848 (κόκκος - seed) (from the kernel-shape of the insect)]

1. crimson-colored

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

scarlet, crimson

From kokkos (from the kernel-shape of the insect); crimson-colored -- scarlet (colour, coloured).

see GREEK kokkos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kokkos
Definition
scarlet
NASB Translation
scarlet (6).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2847: κόκκινος

κόκκινος, κοκκινη, κόκκινον (from κόκκος a kernel, the grain or berry of the ilex coccifera; these berries are the clusters of eggs of a female insect, the kermes ((cf. English carmine, crimson)), and when collected and pulverized produce a red which was used in dyeing, Pliny, h. n. 9, 41, 65; 16, 8, 12; 24, 4), crimson, scarlet-colored: Matthew 27:28; Hebrews 9:19; Revelation 17:3. neuter as a substantive equivalent to scarlet cloth or clothing: Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:12, 16 (Genesis 38:28; Exodus 25:4; Leviticus 14:4, 6; Joshua 2:18; 2 Samuel 1:24; 2 Chronicles 2:7, 14; Plutarch, Fab. 15; φόρειν κόκκινα, scarlet robes, Epictetus diss. 4, 11, 34; ἐν κοκκινοις περιπατεῖν, 3, 22, 10). Cf. Winers RWB under the word Carmesin; Roskoff in Schenkel i., p. 501f; Kamphausen in Riehm, p. 220; (B. D. under the word Colors, II. 3).

Topical Lexicon

Definition in Context

Designates a vivid, blood-red hue associated with costly cloth, dye, or wool. Because the shade was produced from an exotic source and required skilled artisanship, it became a marker of wealth, authority, and at times sin’s brazen visibility.

Principal New Testament Occurrences

• Matthew 27:28 – Roman soldiers mock the Lord Jesus by draping Him in “a scarlet robe,” parodying royal investiture while unknowingly presenting the true King.
• Hebrews 9:19 – Scarlet wool joins blood, water, and hyssop in Moses’ covenant‐ratifying sprinkling, linking the color with cleansing by substitutionary sacrifice.
• Revelation 17:3, 17:4 – The harlot sits on a “scarlet beast” and herself wears “purple and scarlet,” advertising opulence even as she embodies spiritual corruption.
• Revelation 18:12, 18:16 – Merchants lament the loss of trade in luxury goods, including “scarlet cloth,” after the fall of Babylon; the color typifies a doomed economic system built on pride.

Old Testament Continuity

The New Testament use echoes extensive Hebrew Bible imagery: scarlet thread in the Passover window (Joshua 2), scarlet yarn in the Tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26), and Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” The continuity affirms Scripture’s unified message: scarlet may signify sin, but also the price and provision for cleansing.

Historical Background

• Source – The dye was extracted from the dried bodies of the kermes insect harvested on oak trees around the Mediterranean.
• Value – Because tens of thousands of insects yielded only a small measure of pigment, scarlet fabric cost more than ordinary wool or linen.
• Trade – Phoenician, Roman, and later Byzantine merchants controlled distribution; inventories such as Revelation 18 reveal its place among gold, pearls, and fine linens.

Theological Themes

1. Royalty and Mockery – In Matthew 27 the scarlet robe both ridicules and paradoxically affirms Christ’s kingship. The color’s majesty cannot disguise human scorn, but God uses the scene to display substitutionary atonement.
2. Purification – Hebrews 9 draws on Exodus symbolism: scarlet wool touched with sacrificial blood signified covenant cleansing. The detail underscores that redemption requires a costly, life-blood payment.
3. Judgment of Worldly Splendor – Revelation contrasts heavenly righteousness with earth’s gaudy self-glory. Scarlet garments and beasts align with Babylon’s arrogance; what dazzles men becomes the emblem of divine wrath.
4. Visibility of Sin – Scarlet’s brightness pictures sin’s undeniable stain. Yet through Christ’s blood, a deeper red, sinners are washed whiter than snow.

Ministry Significance

• Preaching – Use the scarlet robe of Matthew 27 to connect Christ’s humiliation with His exaltation (Philippians 2:8-11).
• Discipleship – Hebrews 9 encourages believers to rest in the once-for-all cleansing accomplished by the true High Priest.
• Cultural Engagement – Revelation’s commercial lists warn modern Christians against consumeristic idolatry; possessions that glitter today may testify against us tomorrow.
• Worship – The color informs liturgical art and paraments, especially during Holy Week, reminding congregations of both sacrifice and royalty.

Practical Applications

1. Examine personal attitudes toward luxury: does scarlet symbolize stewardship or self-indulgence?
2. Teach children the gospel through color: red for Christ’s blood that washes sin.
3. Counsel penitents with Isaiah 1:18, pointing to the scarlet stain removed by the cross.

Related Biblical Images

Purple (wealth and rulership), hyssop (purification), crimson worm (Psalm 22:6 prophetic link), white garments (victory and purity), blood (atonement).

Summary

Scarlet threads through Scripture from Tabernacle curtains to Babylon’s downfall. Wherever it appears, the Spirit employs the same color to reveal the costliness of sin, the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, the vanity of worldly pomp, and the certainty of coming judgment. Those clothed in the scarlet‐purchased righteousness of the Lamb will stand secure when every counterfeit glory fades.

Forms and Transliterations

κόκκινα κοκκινην κοκκίνην κοκκινον κόκκινον κοκκινου κοκκίνου κοκκίνω kokkinen kokkinēn kokkínen kokkínēn kokkinon kókkinon kokkinou kokkínou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 27:28 Adj-AFS
GRK: αὐτὸν χλαμύδα κοκκίνην περιέθηκαν αὐτῷ
NAS: Him and put a scarlet robe
KJV: and put on him a scarlet robe.
INT: him a robe scarlet they put around him

Hebrews 9:19 Adj-GNS
GRK: καὶ ἐρίου κοκκίνου καὶ ὑσσώπου
NAS: with water and scarlet wool
KJV: water, and scarlet wool, and
INT: and wool scarlet and hyssop

Revelation 17:3 Adj-ANS
GRK: ἐπὶ θηρίον κόκκινον γέμοντα ὀνόματα
NAS: sitting on a scarlet beast,
KJV: upon a scarlet coloured beast,
INT: upon a beast scarlet full of names

Revelation 17:4 Adj-ANS
GRK: πορφυροῦν καὶ κόκκινον καὶ κεχρυσωμένη
NAS: in purple and scarlet, and adorned
KJV: and scarlet colour, and
INT: purple and scarlet and adorned

Revelation 18:12 Adj-GNS
GRK: σιρικοῦ καὶ κοκκίνου καὶ πᾶν
NAS: and silk and scarlet, and every
KJV: silk, and scarlet, and all
INT: of silk and of scarlet and all

Revelation 18:16 Adj-ANS
GRK: πορφυροῦν καὶ κόκκινον καὶ κεχρυσωμένη
NAS: and purple and scarlet, and adorned
KJV: purple, and scarlet, and decked
INT: purple and scarlet and adorned

Strong's Greek 2847
6 Occurrences

κοκκίνην — 1 Occ.
κόκκινον — 3 Occ.
κοκκίνου — 2 Occ.