Difference between revisions of "Flax"

<p> &nbsp;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]] (&nbsp;1 Kings 10:28; &nbsp;Proverbs 7:16; &nbsp;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 (&nbsp;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 &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9, "they that work in combed (so seriguot means) flax." The rich alone wore fine linen (&nbsp;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, &nbsp;Hosea 2:5; &nbsp;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," &nbsp;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 &nbsp;Isaiah 42:3, "the smoking flax He shall not quench," i.e. the flax wick of the lamp. The believer is the lamp (Greek, &nbsp;Matthew 5:15; &nbsp;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>

<p> פשתה , &nbsp;Exodus 9:31; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:47-48; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:52; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:59; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:11; &nbsp;Joshua 2:6; &nbsp;Judges 15:14; &nbsp;Proverbs 31:13; &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 42:3; &nbsp;Isaiah 43:17; &nbsp;Jeremiah 13:1; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:3; &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:17-18; &nbsp;Hosea 2:5; &nbsp;Hosea 2:9; λινον , &nbsp;Matthew 12:20; &nbsp;Revelation 15:6; a plant very common, and too well known to need a description. It is a vegetable upon which the industry of mankind has been exercised with the greatest success and utility. On passing a field of it, one is struck with astonishment when he considers that this apparently insignificant plant may, by the labour and ingenuity of man, be made to assume an entirely new form and appearance, and to contribute to pleasure and health, by furnishing us with agreeable and ornamental apparel. This word Mr. Parkhurst thinks is derived from the verb פשט , <em> to strip, </em> because the substance which we term <em> flax </em> is properly the bark or fibrous part of the vegetable, pilled or stripped off the stalks. From time immemorial Egypt was celebrated for the production or manufacture of flax. [[Wrought]] into garments, it constituted the principal dress of the inhabitants, and the priests never put on any other kind of clothing. The fine linen of Egypt is celebrated in all ancient authors, and its superior excellence mentioned in the sacred Scriptures. The manufacture of flax is still carried on in that country, and many writers take notice of it. [[Rabbi]] [[Benjamin]] [[Tudela]] mentions the manufactory at Damiata; and Egmont and Heyman describe the article as being of a beautiful colour, and so finely spun that the threads are hardly discernible. </p>

<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>

<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>

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

<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>

<p> '''Bibliography Information''' McClintock, 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>