Original Word: שָׁנִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shaniy
Pronunciation: shah-NEE
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-nee')
KJV: crimson, scarlet (thread)
NASB: scarlet
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it

crimson, scarlet thread

Of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it -- crimson, scarlet (thread).

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
scarlet
NASB Translation
scarlet (42).

שָׁנִי₄₂ noun [masculine] scarlet (properly coccus ilicis, which attaches itself to leaves and twigs of quercus coccifera; the dried body of female yields colouring matter; compare Tristr^{NHB 319} Post^{Hast. DB SCARLET} M'Lean^{Ency. Bib. id}.); — usually ׳תִּקְוַת שָׁ הַזֶּה ׳חוּט הַשּׁ Joshua 2:18 this cord of thread of scarlet, ׳הַשּׁ ׳ת Joshua 2:21, ׳חוּט הַשּׁ Songs 4:3 (simile of lips); so ׳(הַ)שּׁ alone Genesis 38:28,30 (J), and as material of clothing 2 Samuel 1:24; Jeremiah 4:30; Proverbs 31:21 (plural שָׁנִים; on order of ll. see Toy); plural also in simile Isaiah 1:18 if your sins are like scarlet (robes); elsewhere (P) ׳תּוֺלַעַת (הַ)שּׁ (see ׳ת) of material for curtain, veil, ephod, etc., Exodus 25:4; Exodus 26:1 24t. Exodus; ׳שׁ ׳בֶּגֶד ת Numbers 4:3 (see II. ׳ב 2); construct ׳שְׁנִי (הַ)תּ used in purification, Leviticus 14:4,6,49,51,52; Numbers 19:6.

Overview

שָׁנִי designates a vivid scarlet or crimson hue produced from the dried bodies of a small scale insect that fed on oak or terebinth trees in the ancient Near East. The color was costly, striking, and remarkably colorfast, so the Spirit repeatedly links it with glory, solemn worship, blood, sin, and redemption.

Primary Old Testament Domains of Use

1. Tabernacle, Sanctuary, and Temple Fabrics

Scarlet thread or yarn is named alongside blue and purple in virtually every description of the hangings, veils, and coverings of the tabernacle (Exodus 25–39; for example Exodus 26:1, Exodus 26:31, Exodus 36:35, Exodus 39:1). Its inclusion testifies to the lavish beauty God required for His dwelling and foreshadows the holiness of Christ, whose blood would open the way into the real sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11-14).

2. Priestly Garments

Aaron’s ephod, breastpiece, robe hem, sash, and mitre bear scarlet embroidery (Exodus 28:5-8, Exodus 28:15, Exodus 28:33-37). Thus every movement of the high priest was accented with a reminder of substitutionary blood, underlining the mediatorial office ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ our great High Priest.

3. Sacrificial and Purification Rites

• The ordinance of the red heifer required “cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet yarn” burned together (Numbers 19:6).
• At the cleansing of a healed leper the same triad—“two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop”—was used (Leviticus 14:4-6, Leviticus 14:49-52).

These rituals coupled scarlet with blood and water, vividly portraying the cleansing power of Christ’s sacrifice (John 19:34; Hebrews 9:13-14).

4. Covenantal Sign and Deliverance

Rahab was commanded, “Tie this scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:18). When Jericho fell, “she tied the scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:21). The colored cord identified her house for salvation, just as the Passover blood identified Israel’s homes (Exodus 12). It typifies personal appropriation of Christ’s atoning work (Romans 3:25).

5. Royal and Noble Adornment

David praised the “daughters of Israel” for wearing “scarlet and jewels of gold” supplied by Saul (2 Samuel 1:24). Proverbs celebrates the industrious wife: “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all in her house are clothed in scarlet” (Proverbs 31:21). Lamentations mourns the fall from luxury to ruin: “Those who were brought up in scarlet embrace ash heaps” (Lamentations 4:5). Scarlet thus marks both the dignity God grants and the humiliation following rebellion.

6. Wisdom and Prophetic Imagery of Sin and Atonement

Isaiah 1:18 sets the color in bold contrast: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they shall become like wool.” The permanence of scarlet dye underscores human inability to erase guilt; the promise of whitening declares God’s sovereign grace in redemption.

Historical Background of Dye Production

Ancient writers (Pliny, Aristotle, the Mishnah) record how clusters of kermes insects were harvested, dried, crushed, and mixed with mordants to fix the pigment. The process demanded skill, time, and significant resources, explaining why scarlet cloth symbolized wealth and why God’s directions required offerings “willingly” given (Exodus 25:2-4).

Symbolic Theological Significance

• Purity through substitution—scarlet yarn dipped in sacrificial blood provided the emblem of cleansing.
• Royal dignity—scarlet robes point forward to Christ, the King mocked with “a scarlet robe” by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:28), yet reigning in true majesty (Revelation 19:13).
• Judgment and counterfeit glory—Revelation 17 describes the harlot “sitting on a scarlet beast,” a satanic parody of divine splendor, warning believers to discern true from false grandeur.

Messianic Intersection

The Old Testament scarlet threads weave together in the passion of Christ. The tabernacle fabrics, priestly vestments, and purification rites converge in the cross where blood crimsoned the wood. Hebrews 9:22 declares, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Scarlet imagery, therefore, urges faith in the finished work of the Lamb “who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5).

Devotional and Ministry Applications

• Worship: incorporate thanksgiving for Christ’s cleansing whenever Lord’s Table or baptism is observed (1 John 1:7).
• Counseling: Isaiah 1:18 offers hope to those burdened by guilt—no stain outruns God’s grace.
• Mission: Rahab’s scarlet cord reminds the church to proclaim salvation to those under judgment, assuring that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
• Stewardship: the costly dye challenges believers to give their best resources for the beauty of God’s house and for gospel advance (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Representative References

Exodus 26:1; Exodus 28:5-6; Leviticus 14:4-6; Numbers 19:6; Joshua 2:18, Joshua 2:21; 2 Samuel 1:24; Proverbs 31:21; Isaiah 1:18; Lamentations 4:5; Zechariah 1:8 (horse imagery); Matthew 27:28; Hebrews 9:19-22; Revelation 17:3-4; Revelation 19:13.

הַשָּׁנִ֑י הַשָּׁנִ֔י הַשָּׁנִ֖י הַשָּׁנִ֛י הַשָּׁנִ֨י הַשָּׁנִי֙ השני וּבִשְׁנִ֥י וּשְׁנִ֣י וּשְׁנִ֥י ובשני ושני כַּשָּׁנִים֙ כשנים שְׁנִ֣י שְׁנִ֥י שָׁנִ֑י שָׁנִ֔י שָׁנִ֖י שָׁנִ֛י שָׁנִ֜י שָׁנִֽים׃ שָׁנִי֙ שני שנים׃ haš·šā·nî hashshaNi haššānî kaš·šā·nîm kashshaNim kaššānîm šā·nî šā·nîm šānî šānîm šə·nî šənî shaNi shaNim sheNi ū·ḇiš·nî ū·šə·nî ūḇišnî ūšənî usheNi uvishNiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts