Lexical Summary argevan: purple Original Word: אַרְגְּוָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance purple (Aramaic) corresponding to 'argvan -- purple. see HEBREW 'argvan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation Definition purple, red-purple NASB Translation purple (3). Topical Lexicon Canonical Placement and Frequency אַרְגְּוָן appears three times, all within Daniel 5 (verses 7, 16, 29). On each occasion Belshazzar promises or bestows a robe of purple upon the one who can interpret the mysterious writing on the wall. The term therefore never functions in a merely descriptive way; it is always tied to an offer of honor, authority, and elevation in the royal court. Historical and Cultural Context In the Neo-Babylonian and early Persian worlds the deep, reddish-purple hue signified supreme status. The costly dyes required for producing such fabric—often extracted from shellfish and imported over long distances—meant that only monarchs and those whom they specially favored could afford it. Belshazzar’s pledge to clothe the interpreter “in purple” (Daniel 5:7) amounted to granting visible access to kingly dignity. The mention of a “gold chain” and the title “third highest ruler in the kingdom” reinforces that clothed status and political authority stood together as inseparable symbols. Theological Significance of Royal Purple 1. Kingship and Majesty: Purple’s association with throne and crown underscores Yahweh’s sovereign right to rule the nations, even in exile. Though an earthly king offers the color, it is the Most High who writes on the wall and determines kingdoms (Daniel 5:21). Intertextual Connections within Scripture • Exodus through Chronicles repeatedly mention blue-purple-scarlet yarn in tabernacle and temple furnishings (e.g., Exodus 25:4; 2 Chronicles 2:7), tying royal color to sacred worship. Daniel 5 links that established symbolism to the Gentile court, reminding Israel that God’s authority reaches beyond covenant borders. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Discern True Honor: Believers are cautioned not to measure success by external trappings—whether robes, titles, or modern equivalents. Authentic honor comes from God, not from transient cultures (1 Peter 5:6). Summary אַרְגְּוָן, though a single-chapter term, threads together themes of royal authority, human hubris, and divine sovereignty. In Daniel 5 it serves as a visual pledge of power soon reversed by God’s judgment. Read in the whole-Bible context, it anticipates the day when every symbol of majesty finds its fulfillment in the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose robe of purple—whether mocked or adored—signals genuine, unshakeable rule. Forms and Transliterations אַרְגְּוָנָ֔א אַרְגְּוָנָ֣א ארגונא ’ar·gə·wā·nā ’argəwānā argevaNaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:7 HEB: וּפִשְׁרֵהּ֙ יְחַוִּנַּ֔נִי אַרְגְּוָנָ֣א יִלְבַּ֗שׁ [וְהַמֹּונְכָא NAS: to me shall be clothed with purple and [have] a necklace KJV: thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain INT: interpretation and shew purple shall be clothed chain Daniel 5:16 Daniel 5:29 3 Occurrences |