כַּרְכֹּם

# Saffron (H3750 - כַּרְכֹּם) The Hebrew word *karkom* denotes saffron, a spice derived from the crocus flower. According to the lexical data provided, this term appears only once in the biblical text, indicating it was not a common word in ancient Hebrew literature or that saffron itself held limited cultural prominence in the contexts preserved by biblical writers. The single occurrence of *karkom* suggests that saffron, while known to ancient Israelites, was likely a specialized or luxury item rather than an everyday substance. Its rarity in the biblical record may reflect either limited availability in the ancient Levantine world or restricted use to particular contexts—such as perfumery, medicine, or elite culinary practices. The word's presence at all demonstrates contact between biblical Israelite culture and broader Mediterranean and Eastern trading networks where saffron was more commonly valued. Without additional lexical data showing varied usage contexts or metaphorical applications, *karkom* appears to have retained a straightforward, literal meaning throughout its single biblical appearance. The term represents a material good whose worth lay in its practical properties rather than symbolic or theological significance within the Hebrew scriptural tradition.