The “Scarlet Worm”

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Psalm 22:6 “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.”

Psalm 22 is known as the “Crucifixion Psalm,” describing the death of Jesus in detail 1,000 years before it happened (pierced hands/feet, casting lots for clothes).

In verse 6, the Messiah says:

“But I am a worm, and no man.”

This seems like a statement of being low self-esteem, but the Hebrew word used for worm here is specific: Tola’at. This refers to the “Crimson Worm” (Coccus ilicis). The life cycle of this specific worm reveals the gospel:

When the female worm is ready to give birth, she climbs a tree.

She attaches herself permanently to the wood—she cannot detach.

She births her young, and to protect them, her body secretes a crimson fluid that covers them and stains the wood red.

She dies in the process.

After three days, the dead body of the worm loses its red color and turns into a white wax that falls to the ground like snow.

The Lord Jesus likened Himself to this worm because He climbed the tree (cross), shed His blood to cover His “children,” died, and His sacrifice washes sins “white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).