Fabrics Dyed from Murex Shellfish
Image Credit: Wikipedia
“In the ancient world the color purple was a mark of high rank and nobility. This was occasioned by the very high cost of the purple dye used for the clothing of nobles and royalty. A special purple dye was extracted from the murex shellfish found in the eastern Mediterranean. The ancient Canaanites already had learned the technique of making this dye, a deep crimson color with shades ranging from blue to red. The name Canaan prob. originally meant “land of the purple” and is found in Akkadian and Hurrian as Kinahhi (cf. the Hurrian word kinahhu, “purple”). Likewise, the name Phoenicia seems to reflect the purple dye industry of the land since it is related to the Gr. φοινίξ, “purple” (J. Finegan, Light from the Ancient Past [1959], 135f.).
“In OT and NT times this purple dye was in great demand by the wealthy classes. Purple clothing with fine linen was a status symbol, and purple was considered a valuable possession as shown by its occurrences in the Bible. Purple was included in the precious things offered by the people for the Tabernacle (Exod 26:1)
The Tabernacle
26 “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker. Exodus 26;1
Materials for the Tabernacle
4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: 5 From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; 6 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen
25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. Exodus 35: 4-5a, 25.
The Priestly Garments
39 From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.
The Ephod
2 They[a] made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 3 They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands. 4 They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened. 5 Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses. Exodus 39:1-5.
“A purple cloth was used as a covering for the golden altar when it was being moved (Num 4:13). ‘
“Gideon took the “purple garments worn by the kings of Midian” as spoil after his defeat of the Midianites (Judges 8:26).
Image Credit: Casual English Bible
“Tyre and Sidon were important cities in ancient times. They were located on the eastern Mediterranean coast in what is now Lebanon. The area was known for its trading ports and was strategically located for both trade and defense.” Casual English Bible
Old Testament Tyre traders
“In the Old Testament, Tyre was the major city of the Phoenicians, one of the most powerful trading nations of ancient times. The city grew wealthy from trade , especially the export of purple dye made from local sea snails.
“The city also played an important role in the construction of Solomon’s Temple, providing the cedar wood and skilled craftsmen for the project. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied against Tyre’s arrogance and pride, warning that it would eventually fall to invading armies.” Casual English Bible
Solomon’s Temple
“Among the skilled workers requested by Solomon from Hiram the king of Tyre was one skilled “to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics” (2 Chron 2:7, 14). T
“The colors in the veil of the Temple were blue, purple, and crimson (2 Chron 3:14). Among the elaborate decorations given by King Ahasuerus were “hangings caught up with cords of fine linen and purple” (Esth 1:6). Later, Mordecai in his new position wore a mantle of purple and linen (Esth 8:15).
‘In Proverbs 31:22 a good wife has clothing of fine linen and purple.
“King Solomon’s palanquin had a seat of purple (Song of Solomon 3:10). The queen’s flowing locks are like purple (Song of Solomon 7:5). The luxurious appearance of idols in violet and purple is meaningless in comparison with Yahweh (Jer 10:9), and Tyre’s greatness and commerce in purple and other goods is ephemeral (Ezek 27:7, 16).
“In the NT the rich man in the parable of Dives and Lazarus is described as “clothed in purple and fine linen” (Luke 16:19). When the soldiers mocked Jesus during His trial, they clothed Him in a purple robe and put a crown of thorns on His head (Mark 15:17-20; John 19:2, 5). In the apocalyptic visions seen by John, the “great harlot” named “Babylon the great” is depicted as a woman “arrayed in purple and scarlet, and bedecked with gold and jewels and pearls” (Rev 17:4). Her fall is mourned by the merchants of the earth since the market for their goods, including such luxuries as gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet (18:11f.), had been destroyed (cf. 18:16).
Lydia
“Lydia, whom Paul met at Philippi, is described as a “seller of purple goods” (Acts 16:14). She is further described as a native of Thyatira, a city in western Asia Minor. Thyatira was a textile center, and one of her major industries was the dyeing of purple cloth. The existence of a guild of dyers at Thyatira is attested by a number of inscriptions (e.g., CIG 3496-3498).
“The significance of purple cloth is also indicated in the non-Biblical sources. Booty taken by the Assyrian conquerors of Syria and Palestine often included fine clothing made of wool and linen. Among the precious things captured by Tiglath-pileser III (744-727 b.c.) from the kings of the W (including Judah and Samaria) were “linen garments with multicolored trimmings, garments of their native (industries) (being made of) dark purple wool” (J. B. Pritchard, ANET [1950], 282f.)” Encyclopedia of the Bible”
Image Credit: Wikipedia
“Thyateira (also Thyatira; Ancient Greek: Θυάτειρα) was the name of an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor, now the modern Turkish city of Akhisar (“white castle”), Manisa Province. The name is probably Lydian. It lies in the far west of Turkey, south of Istanbul and almost due east of Athens. It is about 50 miles (80 km) from the Aegean Sea.” Wikipedia
“LYDIA, lĭd’ ĭ ə (Λυδία, G3376). A business woman from Thyatira residing at Philippi and Paul’s first convert there (Acts 16:12-15, 40). Her name, while common for women (cf. Horace Odes 1. 8. 1; 3. 9. 7ff.), may be an adjectival form, “the Lydian woman,” as indicating her origin, since Thyatira was in Lydia. She is identified as “a seller of purple goods.” Like all of Lydia, Thyatira was noted for its dyeing industry and production of purple dyed garments which were highly prized and costly. She doubtless was the agent in Philippi of a local firm in her native city. Her trade implies that she was a woman of some means. She may have been carrying on the business of her deceased husband.
Paul and Philippi
“Lydia is further described as “a worshiper of God,” the usual designation for a Jewish proselyte. She prob. had accepted the Jewish faith in her native city, for it had a strong Jewish colony. At Philippi she faithfully participated in the sabbath services at the place of prayer by the riverside. After listening to Paul’s message there she was converted. Following her baptism “with her household,” presumably her servants and their dependents, she urged Paul and his co-workers to make her home their headquarters. That all this occurred on the first Sabbath need not be assumed. Her home apparently became the meeting place of the local church (v. 40). Lydia’s own hospitality doubtless did much to foster the unique financial relations between Paul and the Philippian church (Phil 4:15, 16).
Lydia is not mentioned in the Philippian letter. The omission has been accounted for in two ways: that she had left Philippi or had died; that Lydia was not her personal name, but she was one of the two women mentioned in 4:2. The suggestion that she was the “true yokefellow” of 4:3, or even Paul’s wife, is sheer fancy.
Bibliography W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller (1909), 214, 215; W. M. Furneaux, The Acts of the Apostles (1912), 261, 262; F. W. Foakes-Jackson and K. Lake, BC (1933), IV; V, 86, 87; F. F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the Book of the Acts (1954), 331f.; C. W. Carter and R. Earle. The Acts of the Apostles (1959), 234, 235.
Image Credit: The Life of St. Paul – Gutenberg
Lydia of Thyatira by Harold Copping
Lydia of Thyatira and Philippi
“The name, “Lydia”, meaning “the Lydian woman”, by which she was known indicates that she was from Lydia in Asia Minor. Though she is commonly known as “St. Lydia” or even more simply “The Woman of Purple,” Lydia is given other titles: “of Thyatira,” “Purpuraria,” and “of Philippi (‘Philippisia’ in Greek).” “[Lydia’s] name is an ethnicon, deriving from her place of origin”.[1] The first refers to her place of birth, which is a city in the ancient region of Lydia (modern-day Akhisar, Turkey). The second comes from the Latin word for purple and relates to her connection with purple dye. Philippi (modern-day Macedonia (Greece)) was the city in which Lydia was living when she met St. Paul and his companions. All these titles expound upon this woman’s background.” Wikipedia
A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay.” So she persuaded us.
“Lydia was most likely from Greek background, since originating from Thyatira, Asia Minor, but probably romanized one, while she lived in a Roman settlement.[3] She was evidently a well-to-do agent of a purple-dye firm in Thyatira, a city southeast of Pergamum and approximately 40 miles (64 km) inland, across the Aegean Sea from Athens. Lydia insisted on giving hospitality to Apostle Paul and his companions in Philippi. They stayed with her until their departure, through Amphipolis and Apollonia, to Thessalonica (Acts 16:40–17:1).
Paul, Silas and Timothy were traveling through the region of Philippi when they encounter “a reputable businesswoman and possibly a widow… [who] was a righteous Gentile or ‘God-fearer’ attracted to Judaism”.[4] “[S]he was one of a large group [considered]… sympathizers with Judaism, believers in the one God, but who had not yet become ‘proselytes’ or taken the final step to conversion to Judaism”.[5]
Because these encounters and events take place “in what is now Europe,” Lydia is considered “the first ‘European’ Christian convert”.[6
Baptism of Lydia by Marie Ellenrieder
Note: Lydia produced the red form of purple cloth
Profession
“Thyatira in the province of Lydia (located in what is now western Turkey) was famous for the red [variety of purple] dye”.[1] Lydia of Thyatira is most known as a “seller” or merchant of purple cloth, which is the likely reason for the Catholic Church naming her “patroness of dyers.” It is unclear as to if Lydia simply dealt in the trade of purple dye or whether her business included textiles as well,[7] though all known icons of the saint depict her with some form of purple cloth. Most portray this holy woman wearing a purple shawl or veil, which allows many historians and theologians to believe that she was a merchant of specifically purple cloth. …
Feast da
“Many Christian denominations recognize Lydia of Thyatira as a saint, though her feast day varies greatly. In the Catholic Church, her feast day is August 3.[11][12]
“The Episcopal Church honors St. Lydia in its liturgical calendar on May 21,[13] while the Anglican Church in North America remembers St. Lydia on January 27.[14]
“Eastern Orthodox Churches remember Lydia on various days, with some jurisdictions remembering her twice during a liturgical year. Many Eastern Orthodox churches, including the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, remember St. Lydia on May 20.[15][16][17] However, some divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church (other than the Orthodox Church in America) observe both June 25 and March 27 as her feast days.[18]
Image Credit: Wikipedia
“The Lutheran community is also divided. The ELCA commemorates Sts. Lydia, Dorcas and Phoebe on January 27,[19] while the LCMS celebrates the three women on October 25.[20]
Discover more from Jacki Kellum
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.