The Significance of Scarlet, Tapestry,
Fine Linen & Purple in Proverbs 31
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
- Scarlet - I found 52 references to scarlet in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Most referred to the rich, red color achieved in cloth or skins by dying them twice. But here, the color scarlet wasn't the sole, intended meaning because the color itself would not have kept out the cold. In this use, scarlet also meant doubly covered. The garments themselves were thicker and people wore extra layers to protect from the harsh temperatures of winter.
- Coverings of Tapestry - This woman understood the importance of a proper appearance. She valued a warm, comfortable presentation of her home, both for her family and for guests. She had coverings, carpets or needlework as upholstery, floor coverings, draperies and bedding. Her own clothing was of fine linen (probably fine cotten or raw silk) and purple. Verse 25 says, "Strength and honor are her clothing". Her attire was strong and elegant, representing the strength and honor with which she carried herself.
- Purple - Purple was another highly regarded color, representative of royalty or priesthood. The word purple is found 48 times in the KJV, often in the same scriptures as scarlet, fine linen and needlework are mentioned. Cloth or skins died in this color were precious and costly. Some stories say the purple resulted from rinsing the material in the fluid of a particular Mediterranean shellfish. However, others say this story was made up to keep the real dying method a secret.
Many of these precious items were used in worship, ministry, sacrifice and offerings, and to adorn the tabernacle. Exodus 26:1, Exodus 26:36; Exodus 27:16; Exodus 38:18; and Exodus 39:1. So God must hold them in high esteem.
Purple represented prosperity in II Samuel 1:24 and Lamentations 4:5. And scarlet also signified conquest, as revealed in Nahum 2:3 and Revelation 12:3. God also used these items to represent perversion and iniquity: Revelations 17:3-4; Revelations 18:12 and 18:16; and Isaiah 1:18.