כַּרְמִיל
carmine, a deep red
Definition
The Hebrew word כַּרְמִיל (karmîyl) refers to a deep red or crimson-colored textile dye or fabric, likely derived from a specific insect or plant source. In the Old Testament, it consistently describes a valuable, richly colored material used in the construction of sacred spaces. All three occurrences are in 2 Chronicles, where it is listed among other precious materials like purple, blue, and fine linen, specifically for the tabernacle curtains (2 Chronicles 2:7, 2:14) and the veil of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:14). The term emphasizes luxury, costliness, and the splendor appropriate for worship.
Biblical Usage
כַּרְמִיל is used exclusively in 2 Chronicles in the context of providing materials for Solomon's temple. It appears in lists of precious goods supplied by King Hiram of Tyre (2 Chronicles 2:7, 2:14) and in the description of the temple's interior furnishings, specifically the veil (2 Chronicles 3:14). Its usage is always paired with other high-value dyes and fabrics (purple, blue, fine linen), indicating it was a luxury import used for creating a visually magnificent and holy environment.
Etymology
The word is likely of foreign origin, possibly borrowed from an ancient Near Eastern language. It is related to the English word 'carmine.' While no definitive Hebrew root is known, its connection to color and dye suggests an association with wealth and trade. The similar-sounding Hebrew word כֶּרֶם (kerem) means 'vineyard,' but a direct etymological link is uncertain.
Semantic Range
The use of כַּרְמִיל in the temple's construction highlights the themes of God's worthiness of the very best humanity can offer and the beauty of holiness. Its inclusion among the costly materials for the tabernacle and temple veil (2 Chronicles 3:14) signifies the immense value and honor due to God's dwelling place. Understanding this deep red color enriches the reading of these passages by emphasizing the intentional, lavish beauty that reflected God's glory and the reverence of the worshippers.
In the ancient Near East, specific, vibrant dyes were extremely expensive and difficult to produce, often requiring complex processes from rare sources. Crimson or carmine dye was a marker of great wealth, royalty, and high social status. Its use in the temple signaled that this was a project of national importance and divine significance, utilizing the finest materials available through international trade networks, as seen with King Hiram of Tyre.
אַרְגָּמָן ('argāmān, H713) — a royal purple dye, often mentioned alongside crimson but distinct in color and sometimes in prestige. שָׁנִי (shānî, H8144) — scarlet, another red dye, more commonly used in ritual contexts (e.g., the scarlet thread).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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