Difference between revisions of "Flax"

<p> A well-known plant, upon which the industry of mankind has been exercised with the greatest success and utility, &nbsp;Joshua 2:6 &nbsp; Proverbs 1:13 . </p> <p> Moses speaks of the flax in Egypt, &nbsp;Exodus 9:31 , which country has been celebrated, from time immemorial, for its production and manufacture. The "fine linen of Egypt," which was manufactured from this article, is spoken of for its superior excellence, in Scripture, &nbsp;Proverbs 7:16 &nbsp; Ezekiel 27:7 . It is however, probable that fine cotton is sometimes to be understood when the [[Byssus]] is spoken of. Most of the linen found wrapped around Egyptian mummies will hardly compare with our common sheetings. But some specimens are found of most remarkable fineness; one containing 152 threads in the warp, and 71 in the woof, to each square inch; and another, 270 double threads in the warp, and 110 in the woof, per inch. See [[Cotton]] and Linen . </p> <p> The prophet Isaiah, in speaking of the gentleness of the Messiah, makes use of a proverbial expression, which is also quoted by Matthew and applied to Jesus: "The bruised reed he shall not break, and the smoking flax he shall not quench," &nbsp;Isaiah 42:3 &nbsp; Matthew 12:20 . Here "flax" is used for the wick of a lamp or taper, which was usually made of flax. He will not break a reed already bruised and ready to be broken, nor extinguish a flickering, dying lamp, just ready to expire; that is, he will not oppress his humble and penitent followers, but cherish the feeblest beginnings of true grace. </p>

<p> '''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 used as a food for cattle. Egypt was celebrated for the culture of flax and the manufacture of linen. </p> <p> 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. </p> <p> That it was grown in [[Palestine]] even before the conquest of that country by the [[Israelites]] appears from Joshua. &nbsp;Joshua 2:6. The various processes employed in preparing the flax for manufacture into cloth are indicated: </p> <p> 1. The drying process. </p> <p> 2. The peeling of the stalks and separation of the fibres. </p> <p> 3. The hackling. &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9. </p> <p> That flax was one of the most important crops in Palestine appears from &nbsp;Hosea 2:5; &nbsp;Hosea 2:9. </p>

<p> <strong> FLAX </strong> ( <em> pishtah </em> ). The plant <em> Linum usitatissimum </em> , and the prepared fibres used for making linen. It was early cultivated in Palestine (&nbsp; Joshua 2:6 ); the failure of the flax was one of God’s judgments (&nbsp; Hosea 2:9 ). The plant is about two to three feet high, with pretty blue flowers; the flax is said to be ‘bolled’ (&nbsp; Exodus 9:31 ) when the seed vessels reach maturity and the plant is ready for gathering. The stalks were dried on the housetops (&nbsp; Joshua 2:6 ), and then soaked in water and the fibre combed out (&nbsp; Isaiah 19:9 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). The ‘tow’ of &nbsp; Isaiah 43:17 is teased-out flax. The oil of the seeds is the well-known linseed oil. </p> <p> E. W. G. Masterman. </p>

<i> Linum usitatissimumro </i> &nbsp;Exodus 9:31&nbsp;Joshua 2:6&nbsp;Proverbs 31:13&nbsp; Joshua 2:6&nbsp;Isaiah 19:9&nbsp;Judges 16:9&nbsp;Isaiah 1:31 <p> [[Flax]] fibers were also used to make torches and lamp wicks. &nbsp;Isaiah 43:17 pictures armies as a wick which the Lord would extinguish. In &nbsp; Isaiah 42:3 the [[Servant]] of the Lord is one who will not quench a dimly burning wick. The picture suggests one who will help and comfort the powerless rather than bring harsh judgment. Matthew understood Jesus' ministry as the fulfillment of this [[Scripture]] (&nbsp; Matthew 12:20 ). </p>

<div> '''1: λίνον ''' (Strong'S #3043 — Noun Neuter — linon — lee'-non ) </div> <p> primarily denotes "flax" (Eng., "linen"); then, that which is made of it, "a wick of a lamp," &nbsp;Matthew 12:20; several ancient mss. have the word in &nbsp;Revelation 15:6 (AV only, "linen"). See Linen. </p>

<p> '''(1):''' ''' (''' n.) The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing. </p> <p> '''(2):''' ''' (''' n.) A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the L. usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed. </p>

<p> FLAX, n. </p> 1. A plant of the genus Linum, consisting of a single slender stalk, the skin or herl of which is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, &c. The skin consists of fine fibers, which may be so separated as to be spun into threads as fine as silk. 2. The skin or fibrous part of the plant when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.

&nbsp;Exodus 9:31&nbsp;Joshua 2:6&nbsp; Leviticus 13:48,52,59&nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:11Linen

<p> <b> FLAX. </b> —See [[Smoking]] Flax. </p>

<p> '''''flaks''''' פשת , <i> '''''pesheth''''' </i> , also פשתּה , <i> '''''pishtāh''''' </i> ; λίνον , <i> '''''lı́non''''' </i> (&nbsp;Matthew 12:20 )): The above [[Hebrew]] words are applied (1) to the plant: "The flax was in bloom" (the King James Version "bolled"; &nbsp;Exodus 9:31 ); (2) The "stalks of flax," literally, "flax of the tree," put on the roof to dry (&nbsp;Joshua 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" (&nbsp;Isaiah 42:3 ); "They are quenched as a wick" (&nbsp;Isaiah 43:17 ). The thought is perhaps of a scarcely lighted wick just kindled with difficulty from a spark. (4) In &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9 mention is made of "combed flax," i.e. flax hackled ready for spinning (compare &nbsp; Hosea 2:5 , &nbsp;Hosea 2:9; &nbsp;Proverbs 31:13 ). The reference in &nbsp;Judges 15:14 is to flax twisted into cords. (5) In &nbsp; Judges 16:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 1:31 , mention is made of נערת , <i> '''''ne‛ōreth''''' </i> , "tow," literally, something "shaken off" - as the root implies - from flax. (6) The plural form <i> '''''pishtı̄m''''' </i> is used in many passages for linen, or linen garments, e.g. &nbsp;Leviticus 13:47 , &nbsp;Leviticus 13:48 , &nbsp;Leviticus 13:52 , &nbsp;Leviticus 13:59; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:11; &nbsp;Jeremiah 13:1 ("linen girdle"); &nbsp; Ezekiel 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. See Linen . </p> <p> Flax is the product of <i> Linum usitatissimum </i> , 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. </p>