probably of foreign origin; carmine, a deep red; crimson.
Transliteration:karmîyl
Pronunciation:kar-mele'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word כַּרְמִיל (transliterated as *karmîyl*, `{{H3758}}`) refers to a deep red or crimson color. The base definition suggests it is "probably of foreign origin," which is consistent with scholarly understanding that it may be a loanword, possibly from Persian (*kirmil*) or Sanskrit, related to the "worm" (*kirm* in Persian) from which the dye was extracted. This refers to the cochineal insect (*Coccus ilicis* or similar species), which, when crushed, yields a vibrant and durable crimson dye. The semantic range of karmîyl is quite specific, denoting this particular shade of intense, rich red, often distinguished from other reds by its source and perceived quality. It signifies a highly valued and specialized pigment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term karmîyl appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both occurrences being within the book of 2 Chronicles, and both related to the construction and adornment of the First Temple built by Solomon.
1. **[[2 Chronicles 2:7]] (Hebrew: [[2 Chronicles 2:6]]):** King Solomon, in his request to King Hiram of Tyre for skilled craftsmen, specifies a need for an artisan "skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, and in purple, and crimson (כַּרְמִיל), and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide." This verse situates karmîyl among other precious metals and dyes, highlighting its value and the specialized skill required to work with it. Its inclusion in a list of costly materials for the Temple underscores its significance as a component of sacred and royal magnificence.
2. **[[2 Chronicles 3:14]]:** This passage describes the magnificent veil of the Temple: "And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson (כַּרְמִיל), and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon." The veil served as a crucial divider, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, the inner sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant resided. The use of karmîyl alongside blue, purple, and fine linen for this sacred barrier emphasizes its symbolic importance and its contribution to the awe-inspiring beauty and reverence of God's dwelling place. The intricate weaving of cherubim into this veil further connects these colors to divine presence and heavenly imagery.
In both contexts, karmîyl is consistently associated with the most valuable materials and the most sacred spaces within the Temple, indicating its high status and its role in creating an atmosphere of divine majesty and holiness.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H8144}}` (shani):** This is another common Hebrew word for "scarlet" or "crimson," also derived from the cochineal insect. Shani appears much more frequently than karmîyl and is widely associated with the Tabernacle's coverings ([[Exodus 25:4]], [[Exodus 26:1]]), priestly garments ([[Exodus 28:6]]), and various ritual purification ceremonies ([[Leviticus 14:4]], [[Numbers 19:6]]). While both denote a crimson color, karmîyl might imply a particularly deep, intense, or specialized shade, or perhaps a different preparation of the dye, given its limited and specific use in the Temple.
* **`{{H713}}` (argaman):** This term denotes "purple" and is almost invariably paired with karmîyl or shani in biblical texts concerning sacred textiles (e.g., [[Exodus 25:4]], [[2 Chronicles 2:7]], [[2 Chronicles 3:14]]). Purple dye was exceptionally expensive and was universally associated with royalty, wealth, and divinity in the ancient Near East.
* **`{{H8504}}` (tekhelet):** This refers to "blue" or "violet-blue" dye, also highly valued. It is frequently mentioned alongside argaman and karmîyl/shani in descriptions of the Tabernacle, priestly vestments, and the Temple. Blue often symbolized the heavens, divine commands, and purity. The triad of blue, purple, and crimson (including karmîyl) formed the core color palette for the most sacred textiles in Israelite worship.
* **Precious Materials:** The consistent pairing of karmîyl with gold, silver, fine linen, and other costly dyes places it firmly within the category of luxurious and valuable materials reserved for the most significant structures and rituals in ancient Israel.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of karmîyl stems primarily from its exclusive use in the Temple and its association with other sacred colors and materials.
1. **Holiness and Divine Presence:** The most prominent theological implication of karmîyl is its contribution to the sanctity and awe of God's dwelling place. Its presence in the Temple veil ([[2 Chronicles 3:14]]), which shielded the Most Holy Place, signifies its role in demarcating sacred space and emphasizing the profound holiness of God. The rich, deep color would have contributed to the sensory experience of encountering the divine, symbolizing the majesty and ineffability of the Lord.
2. **Glory and Majesty:** As a costly and beautiful dye, karmîyl reflects the glory and majesty attributed to God. The lavish use of such materials in the Temple was an act of worship, demonstrating Israel's commitment to honoring God with the very best. It speaks to the appropriate splendor and grandeur for the habitation of the King of Kings.
3. **Indirect Connection to Atonement:** While karmîyl itself is not directly linked to blood or sacrifice in its two occurrences, the color crimson/scarlet (especially shani) carries profound symbolism of blood, sin, and atonement elsewhere in the Bible. For example, in [[Isaiah 1:18]], sins are described as being "as scarlet" but can be made "white as snow" through divine cleansing. The use of scarlet thread in purification rituals ([[Leviticus 14:4]]; [[Numbers 19:6]]) further solidifies this association. Given that karmîyl is a specific, intense shade of crimson, it implicitly partakes in this broader symbolic vocabulary. Its presence within the Temple, the central locus of atonement and sacrifice, subtly reinforces this connection, hinting at the profound themes of purification and reconciliation that were central to Israelite worship.
### Summary
The Hebrew word karmîyl (`{{H3758}}`) denotes a deep, rich crimson dye, likely derived from the cochineal insect and possibly a loanword. Its two biblical occurrences are exclusively found in 2 Chronicles, where it is listed among the precious materials used in the construction and adornment of Solomon's Temple. Specifically, it is mentioned as a valuable commodity for skilled craftsmen ([[2 Chronicles 2:7]]) and as a key component of the elaborate veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place ([[2 Chronicles 3:14]]). Karmîyl is consistently paired with other costly dyes like blue (`{{H8504}}`) and purple (`{{H713}}`), underscoring its high value and its role in creating an atmosphere of sacred grandeur. Theologically, karmîyl contributes to the symbolism of holiness, divine presence, and the glory befitting God's dwelling. While not explicitly tied to atonement in its direct contexts, its nature as a deep red color indirectly connects it to the broader biblical themes of sacrifice, purification, and the covering of sin, particularly within the central worship space of the Temple.
TRV