The Hebrew word argaman (אַרְגָּמָן) refers to purple or crimson dye, and by extension the cloth dyed with it. This color was produced from murex sea snails and was extraordinarily expensive in the ancient world. The word appears approximately 38 times in the Old Testament, primarily in the descriptions of the Tabernacle and Temple furnishings, priestly garments, and royal clothing.
Purple was the color of royalty and divine majesty in the ancient Near East. In the Tabernacle's construction, God specified blue, purple, and scarlet yarns for the most sacred elements — the veil, curtains, and priestly garments. This combination speaks to the intersection of heaven (blue), royalty (purple), and sacrifice (scarlet). The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:22 wears purple, symbolizing dignity and provision. Purple also appears in the Passion narratives where soldiers mocked Jesus with a purple robe, unknowingly declaring His kingship.