Lexical Summary karmil: Crimson, Scarlet Original Word: כַּרְמִיל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance carmine, a deep red: Probably of foreign origin; carmine, a deep red: NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably of foreign origin Definition crimson, carmine NASB Translation crimson (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs כַּרְמִיל noun [masculine] crimson, carmine, i.e. crimson stuff, cloth; late (probably Persian loan-word, and a derive. from Persian  worm, see DeZDuth. Th. 1878, 593); — only 2 Chron 2:6; 2 Chronicles 2:13; 2 Chronicles 3:14 (in all + אַרְגָּמָן (ו־ָןׅ תְּכֵלֶת2Chron 2:13; 2 Chronicles 3:14 + בּוּץ also ); read perhaps also for כַּדְמֶל Cant 7:6 ("" אַרְגָּוָן: so Gi, of hair formed spirally, like shell-fish; Gr, of glossy hair). Topical Lexicon Textual Distribution and Context The term כַּרְמִיל (karmil) surfaces exclusively in the record of Solomon’s temple preparations and construction (2 Chronicles 2:7; 2 Chronicles 2:14; 2 Chronicles 3:14). Each occurrence pairs crimson with purple, blue, and precious metals, underscoring its place among the most valued materials offered for the sanctuary. These passages portray crimson yarn as a component both of the craftsmen’s raw supplies and of the finished veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Material Culture and Dye Production Ancient Near-Eastern crimson was usually obtained from the dried bodies of the Kermes insect or from certain species of shellfish harvested along the Phoenician coast. The expense and labor involved rendered the dye a luxury commodity. That Hiram of Tyre sent an artisan “trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, purple, crimson, and blue” (2 Chronicles 2:14) indicates that Phoenician expertise was indispensable to Israel. The partnership testifies to the breadth of resources marshalled for a house intended, in Solomon’s words, to be “the greatest, for our God is greater than all gods” (2 Chronicles 2:5). Symbolism in Temple Worship Crimson, blending the depth of purple’s royalty with the vividness of scarlet’s lifeblood, spoke simultaneously of majesty and atonement. When Solomon “made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim woven into it” (2 Chronicles 3:14), the color scheme visually preached the truths the veil embodied: God’s throne-room holiness, the covenantal blood that alone grants access, and the kingly glory that dwells within. The placement of crimson alongside gold and precious stones further accentuated the message that nothing ordinary may approach the presence of the Holy One. Christological Foreshadowing The temple veil that bore karmil imagery ultimately pointed forward to the veil of Christ’s flesh (Hebrews 10:20). At Calvary, the second veil—now rendered obsolete—was torn “from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51), declaring that the crimson-hued way of sacrifice had reached its fulfillment. Whereas temple crimson hinted at substitutionary blood, the cross showcased the reality: “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Ministry Implications Today 1. Worship Excellence: The painstaking acquisition of karmil urges congregations to offer their finest resources, artistic gifts, and craftsmanship in corporate worship, reflecting the worth of the God they serve. Conclusion Though כַּרְמִיל appears only three times, its crimson thread weaves together the historical grandeur of Solomon’s temple, the theological depth of substitutionary sacrifice, and the ongoing call to worship God with beauty and holiness. Forms and Transliterations וְכַרְמִ֣יל וּבַכַּרְמִ֔יל ובכרמיל וכרמיל ū·ḇak·kar·mîl ūḇakkarmîl uvakkarMil vecharMil wə·ḵar·mîl wəḵarmîlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 2:7 HEB: וּבַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וּבָֽאַרְגְּוָן֙ וְכַרְמִ֣יל וּתְכֵ֔לֶת וְיֹדֵ֖עַ NAS: and in purple, crimson and violet KJV: and in purple, and crimson, and blue, INT: and iron purple crimson and violet knows 2 Chronicles 2:14 2 Chronicles 3:14 3 Occurrences |
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