אַרְגְּוָן (ar.ge.van)
ar.ge.van
purple
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word argavan denotes the color purple, specifically a rich red-purple hue. In Scripture, this term appears only three times, all within the book of Daniel, where it serves as an Aramaic variant of the more common Hebrew argaman. This linguistic shift reflects the international context of the Babylonian court, where Aramaic functioned as the lingua franca.
Its usage is consistently tied to royal luxury and high status. The sources highlight its presence in descriptions of palace furnishings, such as the purple hangings and fabrics that adorned the throne room of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:7, 29). By associating this expensive dye with earthly kingship, the text underscores the grandeur of Babylonian power before contrasting it with the sovereignty of God.
As a loanword or variant in Aramaic, argavan illustrates how biblical authors incorporated foreign terms for specific cultural items. The rarity of its occurrence suggests that while purple was known and valued, the Hebrew tradition preferred its own lexical roots for most descriptions of sacred or royal garments, reserving this form for the exotic setting of the exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word argavan appears only three times in Scripture, all within the dramatic court scenes of Daniel chapter 5. It describes the rich purple garments worn by kings and awarded to those they honored. In Babylon’s palace, this color was not merely decorative; it signaled immense power, wealth, and high status. The text uses this visual cue to highlight the height of earthly authority before its sudden fall.
For your faith, these verses offer a quiet reminder that human honor is temporary. Belshazzar offered purple robes and gold chains to anyone who could interpret his mysterious writing, yet he failed to recognize the hand of God in his own life. The color that symbolized royal pride could not save him when judgment came. We are invited to look beyond such fleeting symbols of status.
Instead of seeking validation through worldly titles or visible rewards, we can rest in the unchanging nature of God’s kingdom. While earthly powers rise and fade like the tide, God remains sovereign over all history. This ancient word helps us keep our eyes fixed on what truly endures: faithfulness to God rather than the applause of men.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ purple3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַרְגְּוָנָ֣/א2×
- אַרְגְּוָנָ֔/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 5:7
The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and shows me its interpretation shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
This verse establishes purple as a currency of royal favor, offered by a desperate king to any wise man who could save his reign.
-
Daniel 5:16
But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
Belshazzar repeats the offer to Daniel, showing that even in his final moments, he clings to the symbols of earthly power rather than humility.
-
Daniel 5:29
Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
The fulfillment of the promise sees Daniel clothed in purple, yet this honor comes just hours before the kingdom’s collapse, highlighting the fleeting nature of such rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does argavan mean in the Bible?
Why does Daniel use argavan instead of the Hebrew word for purple?
What does purple symbolize in Daniel 5?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 verses
The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the…
Daniel 5:16But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing and…
Daniel 5:29Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made…