”Scarlet to Snow, Crimson to Wool”: An Investigation of Clothing Imageries of Salvation in Isaiah 1:18

Abstract

Recent publications on dress and clothing in the HB testify to growing scholarship in this area of study. The prophetic book of Isaiah in the HB is replete with clothing items and imageries. While scholars have interpreted each text on clothing in the book, a comprehensive examination of the usage of clothing imageries and how they communicate the salvation of YHWH is yet to be realized. This study seeks to illustrate this gap in biblical scholarship with an exposition of the salient verse of Isa 1:18. Furthermore, the study observes that clothing imageries are present in Isa 1:18 (“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool”). It utilizes certain tools of exegesis and criteria to examine the text of 1:18 in which the motif of salvation is inherent. The five exegetical steps of analysis employed are (1) identification of image, (2) establishment of image, (3) semantic and other exegetical considerations, (4) contextual situation, and (5) interpretation. Some theological implications are drawn following the exegetical analysis and a conclusion of its findings is rendered at the end.