Lexical Summary argevan: purple Original Word: אַרְגְּוָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance purple A variation for 'argaman; purple -- purple. see HEBREW 'argaman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition purple NASB Translation purple (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַרְגְּוָן noun [masculine] purple (of Aramaic form, compare Hebrew below; perhaps text error) = purple thread2Chron 2:6 (+ כַּרְמִיל וּתְכֵלֶת), compare 2 Chron 2:13; 2 Chronicles 3:14 below אַרְגָּמָן. [אַרְגְּוָן] noun masculine purple, red-purple (Biblical Hebrew id., אַרְגָּמָן); — emphatic אַרְגְּוָנָא Daniel 5:7,17,29. Topical Lexicon Biblical Context The noun אַרְגְּוָן appears once in Scripture, within Solomon’s letter to Hiram of Tyre: “Now send me a craftsman who is skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn…” (2 Chronicles 2:7). The term denotes high-quality purple material supplied to adorn the temple Solomon was preparing to build for the Name of the Lord. Historical Background of Purple Dye In the ancient Near East, purple cloth was obtained chiefly from the murex mollusk harvested along the Phoenician coast. The labor-intensive process and the rarity of the dye made purple textiles extraordinarily expensive. Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon) became internationally renowned for this commodity, a fact reflected in Solomon’s appeal to the Tyrian king. The single biblical occurrence places אַרְגְּוָן squarely within this historical setting, underlining Tyre’s specialized craftsmanship and its role as a trading partner with Israel. Economic and Trade Implications Solomon’s request illustrates Israel’s openness to international cooperation for the temple project. While the nation was to worship only the Lord, it was never forbidden to employ Gentile expertise. Rather, the finest resources of the world were marshalled for God’s house. Purple’s economic value thereby anticipates the prophetic vision of nations bringing their treasures to Zion (Isaiah 60:5–7). Symbolic Significance Throughout Scripture purple is linked to royalty, wealth, and honor. Kings wore it (Judges 8:26), noblewomen clothed themselves in it (Proverbs 31:22), and mockers draped Jesus in a purple robe to parody His kingship (Mark 15:17). Even though אַרְגְּוָן occurs just once, its color association reinforces the temple’s purpose as the earthly throne room of Israel’s true King. By investing purple in the sanctuary, Solomon visually proclaimed God’s sovereignty over Israel and the nations. Role in Solomon’s Temple Purple, together with gold, silver, and precious woods, helped furnish an environment of holiness and splendor. The craftsmen Hiram sent were to weave purple yarn into curtains and vestments, integrate it into wall hangings, and perhaps embroider it into the veil before the Most Holy Place. Every thread testified that only the best was fit for God’s dwelling and foreshadowed the greater glory later revealed in Christ (Hebrews 9:11). Connections to the New Testament Purple resurfaces at key moments in the Gospel narrative. The mocking robe placed on Jesus (Mark 15:17) becomes a grim counterpoint to Solomon’s purple, contrasting human derision with divine majesty. Lydia, “a seller of purple cloth” (Acts 16:14), represents the spread of the gospel into the commercial centers of the Roman Empire. Thus, purple bridges the First and Second Testaments: from the temple in Jerusalem to the body of believers across the Mediterranean world. Practical Ministry Reflections 1. Excellence in Worship: אַרְגְּוָן reminds congregations today that nothing given to the Lord is wasted; He is worthy of our best resources, skills, and creativity. Forms and Transliterations וּבָֽאַרְגְּוָן֙ ובארגון ū·ḇā·’ar·gə·wān ūḇā’argəwān uvaargeVanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 2:7 HEB: וּבַנְּחֹ֣שֶׁת וּבַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וּבָֽאַרְגְּוָן֙ וְכַרְמִ֣יל וּתְכֵ֔לֶת NAS: and iron, and in purple, crimson KJV: and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, INT: brass and iron purple crimson and violet 1 Occurrence |
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