06/01/2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About
Note: There will be no Somehing to Think About or Bible Study for the next two weeks while Dr. Barclay takes a well-deserved break.
THE CRIMSON WORM*
The Bible contains many features which are unusual and sometimes difficult to fully comprehend. But in many cases, they illustrate just how complex this world can be and how so much of it can refer to Christ. The word “worm” is used a number of times in the Bible and in most cases the Hebrew word “rimnah” is used to define it. But in Psalm 22, considered a prophetic Psalm written by David, the word used is “tola’ath” referring to a specific worm - a crimson grub.
Psalm 22 has David stating:
But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
(Psalm 22:6)
In general, the word worm in the Bible refers to decay, sin, humility, and redemption. Psalm 22 is considered a reference to Christ’s passion and resurrection, and David seems to make this statement both in reference to himself and in reference to Christ who will have the sins of the world placed upon Him. But why such a reference at all?
The crimson worm is a unique little grub; the female of which, when ready to lay her eggs, climbs a particular type of oak tree and attaches herself firmly to that tree, her shell turning into a hard, crimson shelter. After her eggs hatch, she provides protection for them and also nutrition as the young feed on the mother’s body eventually killing her. The mother’s death produces a crimson type dye that stains the tree and her offspring for the duration of their lives. At death, the mother worm no longer remains crimson but turns white. Her tail, retracting towards her head, turns her body into a heart shaped configuration which tends to flake off leaving only a crimson stain on the tree, a process which takes about three days.
It states in Isaiah:
…Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow…
(Isaiah 1:18)
Although we often think of the majesty of God’s creation, and of the spectacular grandness of His universe with the perfection of His laws, we don’t often consider how even the lowest of His creatures may reflect His purpose and plan. Romans states that:
…His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead…
(Romans 1:20)
And so it is not only the grandeur and beauty of nature which reveals this but also apparently some of the lowest creatures that exist. In its life cycle, and in its own way, the crimson worm illustrates how the scarlet sin of man can be made once again as white as snow and how the sacrifice of one is made for others. And the duration involved is three days, the time between Christ’s death and resurrection. Even this event seems to be reflected in some of the lowest forms in God’s creation.
It really is something interesting to think about.
Some material from Reformed Free Publishing, The Crimson Worm
