Scarlet

This dye was obtained by the Egyptians from the shell-fish Carthamus tinctorius; and by the Hebrews from the Coccus ilicis, an insect which infests oak trees, called kermes by the Arabians.

This colour was early known (Gen 38:28). It was one of the colours of the ephod (Exod 28:6), the girdle (8), and the breastplate (15) of the high priest. It is also mentioned in various other connections (Josh 2:18; 2 Sam 1:24; Lam 4:5; Nah 2:3). A scarlet robe was in mockery placed on our Lord (Matt 27:28; Luke 23:11). “Sins as scarlet” (Isa 1:18), i.e., as scarlet robes “glaring and habitual.” Scarlet and crimson were the firmest of dyes, and thus not easily washed out.