Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The use of scarlet and crimson in connection with sin in this verse is meant to be suggestive of a staining with blood (as indicated three verses earlier in Isaiah 1:15), representing the result of sin through acts such as murder, causing the murderer's hands to become red with the victim's blood. It is contrasted with a state of purity or holiness, characterized as being as white as snow.

God is saying through the prophet that, despite the deep state of sin into which Judah has fallen, He is still capable of completely cleansing and purifying those who forsake their sin and turn to Him, through the salvation that His Son would ultimately make possible by the shedding of His own blood.

May 16 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

This is an interesting question, Jayne.

"Sins as scarlet" (Isa 1:18), i.e., means as scarlet robes "glaring and habitual." Scarlet and crimson were the firmest of dyes, and thus not easily washed out. 

This dye was obtained by the Egyptians from the shell-fish Carthamus tinctorius; and by the Hebrews from the Coccus ilicis, an insect which infests oak trees, called kermes by the Arabians.

Come and reason with him: not at the bar of his justice; there is no reasoning with him there; none can contend with him, or answer him, one of a thousand; if he marks iniquity in strict justice, none can stand before him; there is no entering the lists with him upon the foot of justice, or at its bar: but at the bar of mercy, at the throne of grace; there the righteous may dispute with him from his declarations and promises, as well as come with boldness to him.

A Study in Summaries
1 A Solemn Declaration Isaiah 1:4
2 A Touching Lamentation Isaiah 1:5
3 A Gracious Invitation ISAIAH 1:18 
4 A Divine Conclusion Isaiah 1:19,20


God’s Call to Men Isa.1:18
‘Come now’ ––Invitation
‘Let us reason together’ ––Proclamation
‘Though your sins’ ––Proclamation
‘they shall be as white as snow’ ––Expiation


[Isa 1:18] Though Your Sins Be As
Scarlet 


“Though your sins be as scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though your sins be as scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they be red like crimson,

They shall be as wool!”

“Though your sins be as scarlet,

Though your sins be as scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow,

They shall be as white as snow.”


He’ll forgive your transgressions,

And remember them no more;

He’ll forgive your transgressions,

And remember them no more;

“Look unto Me, ye people,”

Saith the Lord your God!

He’ll forgive your transgressions,

He’ll forgive your transgressions,

And remember them no more,

And remember them no more.

--Fanny J. Crosby
Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet - acapella hymn with lyrics 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwviqvrp9HI

May 09 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Brick Phelps Supporter

In my opinion, he uses the imagery of scarlet because, as stated before, it was a firm dye. Something stained scarlet was practically permanent. The Savior has the power to do the impossible though and cleanse us, something we can’t do.

September 10 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean that our sins are like scarlet in Isaiah 1:18?

In Isaiah 1:18, "sins like scarlet" (or crimson) symbolise deep, ingrained, and permanent stains of guilt that humans cannot remove. The phrase represents blatant transgression and moral contamination that contrasts with purity. It illustrates God's promise to completely cleanse and forgive the most severe sins, transforming them to white as snow or wool.

What "Sins are Like Scarlet" Means

Permanence and Intensity: Scarlet/crimson was a highly permanent dye in the ancient world. It represents sin that is deeply set and indelible through human effort.

Visibility of Guilt: Scarlet was a vibrant, bright colour. The metaphor implies that Judah's sins were undeniable, conspicuous, and deeply ingrained.

Contamination: Sin is portrayed as a stain that has permeated the soul, polluting it.

Contrast with Purity: God uses the bright red of sin contrasted with the white of snow/wool to highlight the complete, miraculous nature of forgiveness.

Conclusion

Have you ever tried to remove a stain from a light-colored garment? Perhaps despite your best efforts, the stain remained visible. Notice how Jehovah describes his capacity for forgiveness.

Isaiah 1:18 ESV: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

The word "scarlet" denotes a bright red colour. "Crimson" was one of the deep colours of dyed material. (Nahum 2:3) We can never, through our own efforts, remove the stain of sin. But Jehovah can take sins that are like scarlet and crimson and make them white like snow or undyed wool. When Jehovah forgives our sins through Christ's ransom sacrifice, we need not feel that we bear the stain of such sins for the rest of our lives.

A more appropriate and consistent translation is: "'Come, now, you people, and let us set matters straight ["let us settle the dispute," Rotherham Bible] between us,' says Jehovah." The fault producing the disharmony lies entirely with man, not with God.​—Compare Eze 18:25, 29-32.

Isaiah 1:18 is not an invitation to talk things over and reach a mutual agreement through give-and-take discussions. Instead, the verse refers to establishing a forum of justice in which the righteous Judge, Jehovah, allows Israel to change and cleanse herself.

This verse is a promise that no matter how deep, permanent, or obvious the "stain" of sin is, God has the power to make it totally white, offering absolute cleansing and purification.

So important is this truth that Jehovah repeats it in a poetic variation​—"crimson" sins will become like new, undyed, white wool. Jehovah wants us to know that he truly is the Forgiver of sins, even very serious ones, as long as he finds us genuinely repentant. Those who find it hard to believe that this is true in their own case do well to consider such examples as Manasseh. He sinned horribly​ for years. Yet, he repented and was forgiven. (2 Chronicles 33:9-16)

5 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report