The Dyeing of Purple in Ancient Israel 29 



which the several constituents are to be mixed. What is the 

 value of these tests from the chemical point of view 1 



Professor Green, Professor of Tinctorial Chemistry at the 

 University of Leeds, in reply to this and other questions* states: — • 

 " It would seem clear from the quotation given that the tests 

 prescribed have the object of ascertaining whether the dye is 

 easily reduced " (hydrogenated). Indigo is more readily hydro- 

 genated and removed from the fibre in the form of its leuco 

 compound than is the brominated indigo (of Avhich the purple 

 probably chiefly consists). In both cases the action probably 

 depends on the evolution of the hydrogen by the fermenting 

 organic matter. 2°. It seems likely that tekelet was faster 

 than indigo. 3°. Indigo like all vat dyes is very fast to soap. 

 In pale and medium shades it is not very fast to light, in which 

 respect it is surpassed by brominated indigos. 4°. Brominated 

 indigos are all brighter in shade than indigo itself. b°. All vat 

 dyes are fixed on the fibre by oxydation. In the bath the dye 

 is not present as such but as a soluble leuco or hydro compound. 

 If the oxydation on the fibre is not complete, the dye will be 

 easily removed by washing." 



The Uses of Purple in Ancient Israel. 



Allusions to the secular uses of tekelet and argaman are very 

 few. Neither ever appears in connection with the royal apparel 

 of Jewish Kings in Biblical times. In Canticles the seat of 

 Solomon's palanquin is spoken of as being made of argaman. 

 The virtuous woman is depicted as clothing herself in shesh and 

 argaman. Tekelet is conspicuous by its absence. 



The ritual uses of tekelet are two-fold, (I) for sacerdotal and 

 cultual purposes, (II) for the sisit or fringes. (See Exodus 

 XXV, etc., etc., and Numbers XV.) Tekelet appears as occupy- 

 ing a somewhat higher position than ay^gaman in the ladder of 

 sanctity. 



The account of the First Temple in 1 Kings, 5-7, which of 

 course is very far from complete, omits all mention of textiles, 

 * Dated July 29, 1913. 



