The art of dyeing is one of great antiquity, although no special mention is made of it in the Old Testament. The Hebrews probably learned it from the Egyptians (see Ex 26:1; 28:5-8), who brought it to great perfection. In New Testament times Thyatira was famed for its dyers (Ac 16:14). (See Colour.)
"And the tabernacle you will make [with] ten curtains; you will make them of finely twisted linen and blue and purple and crimson [yarns], [with] cherubim, the work of a skilled craftsman.
"And they will take the gold and the blue and the purple and the crimson [yarns] and the fine linen, and they will make the ephod of gold, blue and purple, [and] crimson [yarns], and finely twisted linen, the work of a skilled craftsman. read more. It will have two joining shoulder pieces at its two edges, so that it can be fastened. And the waistband of his ephod, which is on it, will be of like work to it--gold, blue, and purple and crimson [yarns] and finely twisted linen.
And a certain woman {named} Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a merchant dealing in purple cloth who showed reverence for God, was listening. The Lord opened {her} heart to pay attention to what was being said by Paul.