Three Hebrew words are so translated.
1. karmil , a colour prepared from an insect which inhabits a species of oak: it is crimson or deep scarlet. 2 Chronicles 2:7,14; 2 Chronicles 3:14 .
2. shani , the word commonly translated 'scarlet.' Jeremiah 4:30 .
3. tola , name of a worm, thought to be a dye of a bluish tint. This word occurs in the memorable passage in Isaiah's prophecy, that though Israel's sins should be red like crimson, they should be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 . The same word is translated scarlet in Lamentations 4:5 .