Original Word: תּוֹלָע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: towla`
Pronunciation: toh-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (to-law')
Definition: Worm, Scarlet, Crimson
Meaning: the crimson-grub, of the color, from it, cloths dyed therewith

oppressor

And (feminine) towleoah {to-lay-aw'}; or towla ath {to-lah'-ath}; or tolaiath {to-lah'-ath}; from yala'; a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of shaniy) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cloths dyed therewith -- crimson, scarlet, worm.

see HEBREW yala'

see HEBREW shaniy

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
worm, scarlet stuff
NASB Translation
crimson (1), purple (1), worms (1).

I. תּוֺלָע noun [masculine] worm, scarlet stuff (dyed with the coccus ilicis, see שָׁנִי Thatcher^{Hast. DB COLOURS}); —

1 worm, only plural תּוֺלָעִים in stale manna Exodus 16:20 (P).

2 scarlet stuff, absolute singular תּוֺלָ Isaiah 1:18 (in sim "" שָׁנִים; opposed to צֶמֶר); token of luxury Lamentations 4:5.

תּוֺלֵעָה, תּוֺלַ֫עַת₄₀

noun feminine worm; — absolute תּוֺלֵעָה Isaiah 14:11; Job 25:6; תּוֺלַעַת Isaiah 41:14 +, תּוֺלָ֑עַת Deuteronomy 28:39; Numbers 19:6; construct תּוֺלַ֫עַת Exodus 25:4 +; suffix תּוֺלַעְתָּם Isaiah 66:24; —

1 worm, grub, vine-weevil Jonah 4:7; Deuteronomy 28:39 (collective); devouring the dead Isaiah 14:11 (collective: "" רִמָּה), Isaiah 66:24 (collective) symbol of insignificance Isaiah 41:14; Job 25:6 ("" רִמָּה), Psalm 22:7.

2 elsewhere (P) specif + שָׁנִי (q. v.), of the coccus ilicis yielding scarlet colour: ׳שְׁנִי (הַ)תּ Leviticus 14:4,6,49,51,52; Numbers 19:6; of crimson stuff שָׁנִי ׳בֶּגֶד ת Numbers 4:8; usually תְּכֵלָת וְאַרְגָּמָן ׳(הַ)שָּׁנִי וגו ׳שְׁנִ Exodus 25:4; Exodus 26:1 24t. Exodus.

Word Origin: Derived from the root תָּלַע (tala‘), which means to be red or crimson.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G2847: κοκκίνος (kokkinos) • Refers to the color scarlet or crimson, often used in the New Testament to describe garments or materials dyed with this color.
• G2848: κοκκίνος (kokkinos) • Another form of the word used similarly to G2847, emphasizing the color and its use in textiles.
• G4663: σάρκινος (sarkinos) • While not directly related to the color crimson, this term refers to something made of flesh, which can metaphorically relate to the color of blood or red hues.

These Greek terms reflect the continuity of the symbolic and practical use of crimson dye from the Hebrew Bible into the New Testament, maintaining its cultural and religious significance.

Usage: The word תּוֹלָע is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe both the insect from which crimson dye is derived and the color itself. It appears in contexts related to the production of dyed materials and metaphorically to describe deep red or scarlet hues.

Context: תּוֹלָע (tolá‘) is a term that appears in several passages of the Hebrew Bible, often in relation to the production of crimson or scarlet dye. This dye was highly valued in ancient times for its vibrant color and was used in the making of garments, particularly those of significance or high status. The process involved crushing the bodies of the crimson-grub, a practice that underscores the labor-intensive nature of ancient dyeing techniques.

In the Bible, תּוֹלָע is mentioned in contexts that highlight its importance in religious and cultural settings. For example, in Exodus 25:4, תּוֹלָע is listed among the materials to be used in the construction of the Tabernacle, indicating its value and significance. Similarly, in Isaiah 1:18, the term is used metaphorically to describe the transformation of sins from scarlet to white, illustrating the power of divine forgiveness.

The use of תּוֹלָע in biblical texts often carries symbolic meaning, representing wealth, status, and transformation. Its association with the color red also links it to themes of sacrifice and redemption, as seen in various sacrificial rites and prophetic imagery.

בְּתוֹלַ֧עַת בתולעת הַתֹּלָֽעַת׃ הַתּוֹלַ֖עַת הַתּוֹלַ֗עַת הַתּוֹלָֽעַת׃ התולעת התולעת׃ התלעת׃ וְתֹלַ֣עַת וְתוֹלַ֣עַת וְתוֹלַ֥עַת וְתוֹלַ֧עַת וּבְתוֹלַ֥עַת ובתולעת ותולעת ותלעת כַתּוֹלָ֖ע כתולע תּוֹלֵעָֽה׃ תּוֹלַ֔עַת תּוֹלַ֣עַת תּוֹלַ֥עַת תּוֹלַ֧עַת תּוֹלָעִ֖ים תוֹלַ֖עַת תוֹלַ֣עַת תוֹלַעְתָּ֞ם תוֹלָ֑עַת תוֹלָ֔ע תולע תולעה׃ תולעים תולעת תולעתם bə·ṯō·w·la·‘aṯ betoLaat bəṯōwla‘aṯ chattoLa hat·tō·lā·‘aṯ hat·tō·w·la·‘aṯ hat·tō·w·lā·‘aṯ hattōlā‘aṯ hattoLaat hattōwla‘aṯ hattōwlā‘aṯ ḵat·tō·w·lā‘ ḵattōwlā‘ ṯō·w·lā‘ ṯō·w·la‘·tām tō·w·la·‘aṯ ṯō·w·la·‘aṯ ṯō·w·lā·‘aṯ tō·w·lā·‘îm tō·w·lê·‘āh toLa toLaat tolaIm tolaTam toleAh ṯōwlā‘ tōwla‘aṯ ṯōwla‘aṯ ṯōwlā‘aṯ tōwlā‘îm ṯōwla‘tām tōwlê‘āh ū·ḇə·ṯō·w·la·‘aṯ ūḇəṯōwla‘aṯ uvetoLaat vetoLaat wə·ṯō·la·‘aṯ wə·ṯō·w·la·‘aṯ wəṯōla‘aṯ wəṯōwla‘aṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts