Difference between revisions of "Flax"

<p> Exodus 9:31, "the flax was bolled," i.e. "in blossom"; the boll, related to bowl and ball, being the pod. Marking the time, the end of February or beginning of March. [[Linen]] was exclusively used by the priests. Pliny, 19:1, notes four kinds in Egypt, and 24 mentions [[Tanis]] (Zoan) as famous for flax. In evenness of threads without knot or break [[Egyptian]] linen exceeded modern manufacture. (Wilkinson on Herod., 2:37, p. 54.) [[Solomon]] imported it from [[Egypt]] (1 Kings 10:28; Proverbs 7:16; Ezekiel 27:7). The processes of manufacture are represented on Egyptian tombs as at Benihassan. The microscope shows the doth on the mummies to be linen. It was grown in [[Canaan]] before Joshua's (Joshua 2:6) conquest; the stalks were dried on the flat roofs by exposure to the sun's heat; later the drying was done in ovens. </p> <p> The combing is noticed in Isaiah 19:9, "they that work in combed (so seriguot means) flax." The rich alone wore fine linen (Luke 16:19). Wilkinson mentions Egyptian linen with 540 (or 270 double) threads in one inch in the warp; most modern cambric has but 160 (Barnes). The corslet of [[Amasis]] king of Egypt was of linen threads, each having 360 strands or filaments (Herodotus). Its cultivation in northern [[Israel]] is alluded to, Hosea 2:5; Hosea 2:9. "Fine linen, clean and white," is the emblem of "the righteousness (distributively) of saints," the bride's attire for" the marriage of the Lamb," Revelation 19:7-8 (each saint having for himself Christ's righteousness imputed for justification, and imparted by the [[Spirit]] for sanctification). </p> <p> The tearing up of the flax from its native soil, its exposure to the scorching sun, its being torn by the comb's long teeth, and sunk in the water with stones attached, so as ultimately to be transfigured into raiment white as snow, illustrate how the [[Christian]] is prepared for grace and glory through long and varied afflictions now. In Isaiah 42:3, "the smoking flax He shall not quench," i.e. the flax wick of the lamp. The believer is the lamp (Greek, Matthew 5:15; John 5:35), his conscience enlightened by the [[Holy]] Spirit is the wick; "smoking "means dimly burning, smoldering, the flame not extinct; "bruised" in himself, but having some spark lighted from above, [[Christ]] will supply such a one with grace as with oil, and will not stifle the little flame. So the faint light of nature in the Gentiles, smoldering amidst the smoke of error, He not only does not quench, but clears away its mists, and superadds the light of revelation. </p>

<i> Linum usitatissimumro </i> Exodus 9:31Joshua 2:6Proverbs 31:13 Joshua 2:6Isaiah 19:9Judges 16:9Isaiah 1:31 <p> [[Flax]] fibers were also used to make torches and lamp wicks. Isaiah 43:17 pictures armies as a wick which the Lord would extinguish. In 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]] ( Matthew 12:20 ). </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]] ( Joshua 2:6 ); the failure of the flax was one of God’s judgments ( Hosea 2:9 ). The plant is about two to three feet high, with pretty blue flowers; the flax is said to be ‘bolled’ ( Exodus 9:31 ) when the seed vessels reach maturity and the plant is ready for gathering. The stalks were dried on the housetops ( Joshua 2:6 ), and then soaked in water and the fibre combed out ( Isaiah 19:9 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). The ‘tow’ of 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>

<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," Matthew 12:20; several ancient mss. have the word in Revelation 15:6 (AV only, "linen"). See Linen. </p>

<p> (1): </p> <p> (n.) The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing. </p> <p> (2): </p> <p> (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> '''''flaks''''' פשת , <i> '''''pesheth''''' </i> , also פשתּה , <i> '''''pishtāh''''' </i> ; λίνον , <i> '''''lı́non''''' </i> (Matthew 12:20 )): The above [[Hebrew]] words are applied (1) to the plant: "The flax was in bloom" (the King James Version "bolled"; Exodus 9:31 ); (2) The "stalks of flax," literally, "flax of the tree," put on the roof to dry (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" (Isaiah 42:3 ); "They are quenched as a wick" (Isaiah 43:17 ). The thought is perhaps of a scarcely lighted wick just kindled with difficulty from a spark. (4) In Isaiah 19:9 mention is made of "combed flax," i.e. flax hackled ready for spinning (compare Hosea 2:5 , Hosea 2:9; Proverbs 31:13 ). The reference in Judges 15:14 is to flax twisted into cords. (5) In Judges 16:9; 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. Leviticus 13:47 , Leviticus 13:48 , Leviticus 13:52 , Leviticus 13:59; Deuteronomy 22:11; Jeremiah 13:1 ("linen girdle"); 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>

<p> Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Flax'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and [[Ecclesiastical]] Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/f/flax.html. [[Harper]] & Brothers. New York. 1870. </p>