Flax:
(Heb. pishtah, i.e., "peeled", in allusion to the fact that the stalks of flax when dried were first split or peeled before being steeped in water for the purpose of destroying the pulp). This plant was cultivated from earliest times. The flax of Egypt was destroyed by the plague of hail when it "was bolled", i.e., was forming pods for seed (Exd 9:31). It was extensively cultivated both in Egypt and Palestine. Reference is made in Jos 2:6 to the custom of drying flax-stalks by exposing them to the sun on the flat roofs of houses. It was much used in forming articles of clothing such as girdles, also cords and bands (Lev 13:48,52,59; Deu 22:11). (See LINEN.)
Flax:
flaks pesheth, also pishtah; linon (Mt 12:20)): The above Hebrew words are applied
(1) to the plant: "The flax was in bloom" (the King James Version "bolled"; Ex 9:31);
(2) the "stalks of flax," literally, "flax of the tree," put on the roof to dry (Jos 2:6);
(3) to the fine fibers used for lighting: the King James Version "tow," "flax," the Revised Version (British and American). "A dimly burning wick will he not quench" (Isa 42:3); "They are quenched as a wick" (Isa 43:17). The thought is perhaps of a scarcely lighted wick just kindled with difficulty from a spark.
(4) In Isa 19:9 mention is made of "combed flax," i.e. flax hackled ready for spinning (compare Ho 2:5,9; Pr 31:13). The reference in Jud 15:14 is to flax twisted into cords.
(5) In Jud 16:9; Isa 1:31, mention is made of ne‘oreth, "tow," literally, something "shaken off"-as the root implies-from flax.
(6) The plural form pishtim is used in many passages for linen, or linen garments, e.g. Le 13:47,48,52,59; De 22:11; Jer 13:1 ("linen girdle"); Eze 44:17 f. Linen was in the earliest historic times a favorite material for clothes. The Jewish priestly garments were of pure linen. Egyptian mummies were swathed in linen. Several other Hebrew words were used for linen garments.
Flax is the product of Linum usitatissimum, a herbaceous plant which has been cultivated from the dawn of history. It is perennial and grows to a height of 2 to 3 ft.; it has blue flowers and very fibrous stalks. The tough fibers of the latter, after the decay and removal of the softer woody and gummy material, make up the crude "flax." Linseed, linseed oil and oilcake are useful products of the same plant.
Written by E. W. G. Masterman
Flax: In Egypt
Exd 9:31
Flax: In Palestine
Jos 2:6
Flax: Linen Made From
Pro 31:13; Isa 19:6; Hsa 2:5, 9
Flax: Robes Made Of
Est 1:16; Eze 40:3
Flax: Reference Concerning
See LINEN
Flax: Figurative
Smoking flax not quenched,
Isa 42:3; Mat 12:20.
Flax:
primarily denotes "flax" (Eng., "linen"); then, that which is made of it, "a wick of a lamp," Mat 12:20; several ancient mss. have the word in Rev 15:6 (AV only, "linen").
See LINEN.
Flax:
a well‐known plant with yellowish stem and bright‐blue flowers. Its fibres are employed in the manufacture of linen. The root contains an oil, and after the oil is expressed is sued as a food for cattle. Egypt was celebrated for the culture of flax and the manufacture of linen. The spinning was anciently done by women of noble birth. It seems probable that the cultivation of flax for the purpose of the manufacture of linen was by no means confined to Egypt, but that, originating in India, it spread over Asia at a very early period of antiquity. That it was grown in Palestine even before the conquest of that country by the Israelites appears from Joshua 2:6. The various processes employed in preparing the flax for manufacture into cloth are indicated:
(1.) The drying process.
(2.) The peeling of the stalks and separation of the fibres.
(3.) The hackling (Isaiah 19:9). That flax was one of the most important crops in Palestine appears from Hosea 2:5; 2:9.
Linen:
lin'-en (badh, "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, buts, "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings shesh; pesheth, "flax," cadhin; bussos, othonion, linon, sindon): Thread or cloth made of flax.
1. History:
Ancient Egypt was noted for its fine linen (Ge 41:42; Isa 19:9). From it a large export trade was carried on with surrounding nations, including the Hebrews, who early learned the art of spinning from the Egyptians (Ex 35:25) and continued to rely on them for the finest linen (Pr 7:16; Eze 27:7). The culture of flax in Palestine probably antedated the conquest, for in Jos 2:6 we read of the stalks of flax which Rahab had laid in order upon the roof. Among the Hebrews, as apparently among the Canaanites, the spinning and weaving of linen were carried on by the women (Pr 31:13,19), among whom skill in this work was considered highly praiseworthy (Ex 35:25). One family, the house of Ashbea, attained eminence as workers in linen (1Ch 4:21; 2Ch 2:14).
2. General Uses:
Linen was used, not only in the making of garments of the finer kinds and for priests, but also for shrouds, hangings, and possibly for other purposes in which the most highly prized cloth of antiquity would naturally be desired.
3. Priestly Garments:
The robes of the Hebrew priests consisted of 4 linen garments, in addition to which the high priest wore garments of other stuffs (Ex 28; 39; Le 6:10; 16:4; 1Sa 22:18; Eze 44:17,18). Egyptian priests are said to have worn linen robes (Herod. ii.37). In religious services by others than priests, white linen was also preferred, as in the case of the infant Samuel (1Sa 2:18), the Levite singers in the temple (2Ch 5:12), and even royal personages (2Sa 6:14; 1Ch 15:27). Accordingly, it was ascribed to angels (Eze 9:2,3,11; 10:2,6,7; Da 10:5; 12:6,7). Fine linen, white and pure, is the raiment assigned to the armies which are in heaven following Him who is called Faithful and True (Re 19:14). It is deemed a fitting symbol of the righteousness and purity of the saints (Re 19:8).
4. Other Garments:
Garments of distinction were generally made of the same material: e.g. those which Pharaoh gave Joseph (Ge 41:42), and those which Mordecai wore (Es 8:15; compare also Lu 16:19). Even a girdle of fine linen could be used by a prophet as a means of attracting attention to his message (Jer 13:1). It is probable that linen wrappers of a coarser quality were used by men (Jud 14:12,13) and women (Pr 31:22). The use of linen, however, for ordinary purposes probably suggested unbecoming luxury (Isa 3:23; Eze 16:10,13; compare also Re 18:12,16). The poorer classes probably wore wrappers made either of unbleached flax or hemp (Ecclesiasticus 40:4; Mr 14:51). The use of a mixture called sha'aTnez, which is defined (De 22:11) as linen and wool together, was forbidden in garments.
5. Shrouds:
The Egyptians used linen exclusively in wrapping their mummies (Herod. ii.86). As many as one hundred yards were used in one bandage. Likewise, the Hebrews seem to have preferred this material for winding-sheets for the dead, at least in the days of the New Testament (Mt 27:59; Mr 15:46; Lu 23:53; Joh 19:40; 20:5 ) and the Talmud (Jerusalem Killayim 9:32b).
6. Hangings:
The use of twisted linen (shesh moshzar) for fine hangings dates back to an early period. It was used in the tabernacle (Ex 26:1; 27:9; 35$; 36$; 38$; Josephus, Ant, III, vi, 2), in the temple (2Ch 3:14), and no doubt in other places (Mishna, Yoma', iii.4). Linen cords for hangings are mentioned in the description of the palace of Ahasuerus at Shushan (Es 1:6).
7. Other Uses:
Other uses are suggested, such as for sails, in the imaginary ship to which Tyre is compared (Eze 27:7), but judging from the extravagance of the other materials in the ship, it is doubtful whether we may infer that such valuable material as linen was ever actually used for this purpose. It is more likely, however, that it was used for coverings or tapestry (Pr 7:16), and possibly in other instances where an even, durable material was needed, as in making measuring lines (Eze 40:3).
Written by Ella Davis Isaacs
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