Why is sin described as scarlet rather than black?

[TheSeeker2014]

A friend pointed this out to me and the congregation and I found this rather interesting and thought others would like to know about it too.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

She was saying she read this one night and wondered why sin would be described as scarlet rather than black (commonly goes with evil and darkness/casted out) so she decided to look up the word scarlet. I cannot remember what dictionary she used but it mentioned that from old English to Sanskrit it meant “worm made” and how the dye used for cloths was from a type of worm. (Kermes) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_(color
Sin is like a worm that eats us up. (grudges, guilt, worry, fear)
Isaiah 66:24
“And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
Mark 9:48 ESV
‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Jonah 4:7 ESV
But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered.

What better way to describe sin as a color other than the color that comes from a worm?
Sin eats us up… so do worms.

Another story about Kermes worm: insectman.us/articles/biblical/crimson-worm.htm

 

[Augustine3]

You may find this interesting. Leviticus 14:51-52 we read:
*
51

Then, taking the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet yarn, together with the living bird, he shall dip them all in the blood of the slain bird and the spring water, and sprinkle the house seven times.

52

Thus shall he purify the house with the bird’s blood and the spring water, along with the living bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet yarn.*

Scarlet yarn represents sin. St Matthew astute as he is notes Jesus was wearing a scarlet robe in Matthew 27:28 (the robe symbolizes Jesus taking on our sins onto himself). At the crucifixion there was wood and hyssop. Leviticus 14 basically sums up the passion of our Lord.

God bless.

 

[Faxero]

Interesting observation and interpretation!

“Though your sins are like scarlet and as red as crimson…”

These colors might also symbolize blood: Our sins bring forth death.

Darkness is inherently a good thing: It simulates silence and peace of mind, but many horror movies today use it as a scare tactic.

 

[juliamajor]

West is symbol in the west for many negative things. But we are dealing with Eastern ideas and culture. I would think that the importance of Blood in the Hebrew culture would reflect itself in it’s symbolic use of color.