Bible Dictionaries
Purple

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

Song of Solomon 7:5 (c) In this passage the color of our Lord's hair is purple. In the fifth chapter it is black, while in re1it is white. These three colors of His hair represent three wonderful characteristics of our Lord.

• the black hair tells us that He is a young King upon His Throne, with mighty power, vigor, vision and activity.
• the purple hair reminds us that He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, and the sovereign of eternity. He is part of the royal family. He has a right to wear the purple because of His majestic greatness.
• the white hair reminds us of His ageless life. He was from the past eternity through the coming eternity. He is the Ancient of days. He has wisdom, knowledge, discretion and understanding. He has experience of every kind. He is the Eternal One.

John 19:2 (c) The purple was placed upon our blessed Lord in mockery. He had claimed to be their King, but the Romans derided His claim, and in order to insult Him and show their hatred they clothed Him in mockery with the royal garments. Thus they exposed the wickedness of their hearts. (See also Mark 15:17).

Revelation 17:4 (c) The royal color on this woman represents apostate Christendom. It indicates that she takes the place of being a royal ruler, even as the Roman Catholic church does today. This church exercises sovereign and supreme power in many countries. Her gorgeous robes, her magnificent processions, her priceless images and idols, her marvelous temples, her cruel power, her secret procedures all tell the story of a church that seeks to be king of kings, and lord of lords in the place of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. One day she will be utterly destroyed, as this chapter reveals.