Vermilion is a bright red pigment historically derived from the mineral cinnabar, which is mercuric sulfide. In biblical times, it was a color associated with wealth, luxury, and sometimes idolatry. The use of vermilion is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the context of decoration and idolatrous practices.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 22:14 · "who says, ‘I will build myself a great house with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion."

In this passage, vermilion is used to describe the opulence and grandeur of a house. The context suggests a critique of those who prioritize material wealth and luxury over righteousness and justice. The use of vermilion here symbolizes the excess and pride of those who build lavish homes while neglecting the needs of others.

2. Ezekiel 23:14 · "But she increased her prostitution. She saw men portrayed on the wall, figures of Chaldeans, portrayed in vermilion."

In Ezekiel, vermilion is associated with idolatry and unfaithfulness. The prophet Ezekiel uses the imagery of vermilion-painted figures to illustrate the spiritual adultery of Israel, who turned to foreign nations and their gods instead of remaining faithful to the Lord. The use of vermilion in this context highlights the allure and seduction of idolatrous practices.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, vermilion was a prized pigment due to its vibrant color and the difficulty of its production. It was often used in art, decoration, and cosmetics. The color's association with wealth and status made it a symbol of luxury, but in the biblical narrative, it also serves as a metaphor for moral and spiritual corruption.

The use of vermilion in the Bible reflects the broader cultural practices of the time, where colors and materials were imbued with symbolic meanings. The biblical authors often used these symbols to convey deeper spiritual truths and to critique the moral state of the people.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the use of vermilion in the Bible serves as a caution against the seduction of materialism and idolatry. It reminds believers of the importance of prioritizing spiritual values over worldly possessions and appearances. The vivid imagery associated with vermilion in the scriptures underscores the dangers of turning away from God in pursuit of earthly desires.

In summary, vermilion in the Bible is more than just a color; it is a symbol of the tension between the pursuit of worldly wealth and the call to spiritual faithfulness. Through its use, the biblical text challenges readers to examine their own lives and to seek a deeper relationship with God, free from the distractions of material excess and idolatry.1. (n.) A bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulphide, obtained either from the mineral cinnabar or artificially. It has a fine red color, and is much used in coloring sealing wax, in printing, etc.

2. (n.) Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and brilliant red; as, cheeks of vermilion.

3. (v. t.) To color with vermilion, or as if with vermilion; to dye red; to cover with a delicate red.

VERMILION

ver-mil'-yun.

See COLORS, (3).

8350. shasher -- red color, vermilion
... 8349, 8350. shasher. 8351 . red color, vermilion. Transliteration: shasher
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-shar') Short Definition: red. ...
/hebrew/8350.htm - 6k

The New Evangelism: and Its Relation to Cardinal Doctrines
... Vermilion is for the savage, blue with unicorns for the child, the neutral
tints for the world's maturity"the developed taste. ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the new evangelism and its.htm

An Exposition of the Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.
... [1354] sumperiphoran komizomenoi. [1355] But Euthal., dia men tou melanos...dia
de tou kinnabareos, ie, by the different colours of black and vermilion. ...
/.../pamphilus/the writings of pamphilus/an exposition of the chapters.htm

Accidental Causes of Corruption.
... For the most part they are furnished with a kind of musical notation executed in
vermilion; evidently intended to guide the reader in that peculiar recitative ...
/.../chapter vi accidental causes of.htm

Letter V
... 1786 * Vaugh, John W. "Received 1832 * Veach, Samuel "Received 1826, Located 1839 *
Veitch, Elderjar "Received 1831 * Vermilion, William "Received 1805 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter v.htm

Obadiah
... And he had wealth, no doubt, and his fair and great house there among the beautiful
hills of Samaria, ceiled with cedar and painted with vermilion, with its ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

And Presently Valerian Also, in a Mood Alike Frantic...
... when he had finished this shameful life under so great dishonour, he was flayed,
and his skin, stripped from the flesh, was dyed with vermilion, and placed in ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap v and presently valerian.htm

First Impressions
... which also the walls were tessellated; the domes and architraves were inlaid with
mosaic on a gold ground, and picked out with polychromes of blue and vermilion ...
/.../chapter xx first impressions.htm

Jeremiah's Roll Burned and Reproduced
... senseless. He was lavishing money on a grand palace, built with cedar and painted
in vermilion, when the nation was in its death-throes. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture h/jeremiahs roll burned and reproduced.htm

Of the Wound of Love.
... Pomegranates, by their vermilion colour, by the multitude of their seeds, so close
set and ranked, and by their fair crowns, vividly represent, as S. Gregory ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii of the wound.htm

And Whence, Finally, do You Know Whether all These Images which ...
... [4634] Among the representations of your gods we see that there is the very stern
face of a lion [4635] smeared with pure vermilion, and that it is named ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/10 and whence finally do.htm

Vermilion (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and brilliant red; as, cheeks
of vermilion. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. VERMILION. ver-mil'-yun. ...
/v/vermilion.htm - 7k

Paint (3 Occurrences)
... pingo, "to paint"): (1) From Hebrew verb mashach, "to smear," "to anoint," "to paint,"
describing the painting of interiors with vermilion, perhaps resembling ...
/p/paint.htm - 10k

Colors (12 Occurrences)
... 1) bay, (2) black, (3) blue, (4) brown, (5) crimson, (6) green, (7) grey, (8) hoar,
(9) purple, (10) red, (11) scarlet, (12) sorrel, (13) vermilion, (14) white ...
/c/colors.htm - 36k

Color (18 Occurrences)
... 1) bay, (2) black, (3) blue, (4) brown, (5) crimson, (6) green, (7) grey, (8) hoar,
(9) purple, (10) red, (11) scarlet, (12) sorrel, (13) vermilion, (14) white ...
/c/color.htm - 39k

Verity (2 Occurrences)

/v/verity.htm - 9k

Vermillion (1 Occurrence)

/v/vermillion.htm - 6k

Windows (27 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 22:14 who says, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers, and
cuts him out windows; and it is ceiling with cedar, and painted with vermilion...
/w/windows.htm - 15k

Wainscoted (2 Occurrences)
... I will build me a wide house, and spacious upper chambers; and he cutteth out for
himself windows; and it is wainscoted with cedar, and painted with vermilion. ...
/w/wainscoted.htm - 7k

Ink (4 Occurrences)
... The official copy of the law in the time of Ptolemy Philadelphus was, according
to Josephus (Ant., XII, ii, 11), written in gold, and the vermilion and red ...
/i/ink.htm - 10k

Figures (11 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ezekiel 23:14 She increased her prostitution; for she saw men portrayed
on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion, (See NIV). ...
/f/figures.htm - 9k

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