What is the significance of a scarlet thread?

Answer

The Bible mentions a scarlet thread in various contexts, from a unique birth to the garments of the high priest to the conquest of Canaan.

One instance of the scarlet thread in the Bible is found in the story of the twin sons born to Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:27-30). During Tamar’s delivery, the hand of one twin, Zerah, emerged from the womb, and the midwife immediately tied a scarlet thread around the baby’s wrist to identify Zerah as the firstborn. However, it was Perez who was actually born first, as Zerah’s hand was pulled back into the womb.

In the case of Perez and Zerah, the scarlet thread was meant to signify who would receive the rights and privileges of the firstborn. Although Zerah initially appeared to be the rightful heir, God had ordained otherwise, and Perez was designated as the firstborn. Through God’s providence, the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ descended from Perez “and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;”, (Matthew 1:3).

Additionally, the Bible references scarlet thread or yarn in the construction of the tabernacle’s curtains “Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.”, (Exodus 26:1), and in the high priest’s ephod “And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.”, (Exodus 28:6), using threads of gold, blue, and purple. The Scriptures do not elaborate on the significance of the scarlet thread in these contexts.

The significance of those colors in the curtains or ephod is not explicitly stated, but some commentators speculate that the gold, blue, and purple symbolize Christ’s glory, heavenly origin, and kingly position, while the scarlet thread represents Christ’s atoning work on the cross through the shedding of His blood.

Another notable reference to the scarlet thread is found in Joshua 2. Two spies were sent to Jericho ahead of the Israelites’ conquest of the city. Rahab, a harlot in Jericho, concealed the spies, demonstrating her faith in Israel’s God and safeguarding them (see Hebrews 11:31). Rahab assisted the Hebrew spies in escaping Jericho by lowering them down through her window using a rope made of scarlet thread. As they left, the spies instructed Rahab, “Tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window” «Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee. », (Joshua 2:18), assuring her safety and that of her household during the impending invasion. In faith, Rahab complied: “And she tied the scarlet cord in the window” (verse 21).

Subsequently, when the walls of Jericho collapsed and the Israelites captured the city, Joshua ordered the protection of Rahab and her family (Joshua 6:22-23). The distinguishing mark on her home was, undoubtedly, the “cord of scarlet thread.” While it may be tempting to dismiss the color of Rahab’s rope as mere chance, the scarlet hue holds significance. The rope in her window served as a symbol of her faith and resulted in her deliverance, sparing her from the destruction that befell Jericho. The scarlet rope—reminiscent of blood—acted for Rahab much like the blood of the Passover lamb did during the exodus: every household marked with blood was spared death that night «And the bBlood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” , (Exodus 12:13). God’s mercy and forgiveness of Rahab the harlot were signified by a rope of scarlet thread, which becomes a symbol of the blood of Christ.

Theologians and Bible students sometimes refer to “the scarlet thread running through the Bible.” By this, they mean that the Bible’s theme is Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. The blood of Christ runs throughout the entire Bible, symbolically. It is seen in the animals killed in Eden to provide garments for Adam and Eve, the ram that took Isaac’s place on the altar of Moriah, the Passover lamb, the institution of the sacrificial system, the scarlet rope of Rahab, and the thousands of years of sacrifices performed at the tabernacle and temple. The scarlet thread runs all the way up to John the Baptist’s declaration, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” «The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. », (John 1:29) and to the foot of the cross, where Jesus finally says, “It is finished” «When Jesus, therefore, had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. », (John 19:30).

“Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” «And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. », (Hebrews 9:22), and that’s why the symbolism of the scarlet thread in the Bible is significant. The s

Scarlet thread is the theme of atonement found throughout the pages of Scripture.