Difference between revisions of "Linen"

<p> [[Fine]] linen. Shes, an [[Egyptian]] word. The unique dress of the Egyptian priests (&nbsp;Genesis 41:42). [[Pharaoh]] arrayed [[Joseph]] in it as a dress of state; not cotton, nor silk (as margin). So &nbsp;Ezekiel 27:7, sheesh; &nbsp;Ezekiel 27:16, buwts bussos , Greek), the fine linen of Syria used for the hangings of Solomon's temple and David's "robe of fine linen" (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:27; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 2:14). The Egyptian fine linen was equal to the best now made in general texture, and superior in evenness of threads without knot or break. In &nbsp;Esther 1:6 for "green" translated, rather "(Persian) linen cloth," karpas , carbasus . The unstudied propriety of designation by the native names respectively of linen of Egypt, Syria, and Persia, is a strong mark of genuineness. In &nbsp;Ezekiel 16:10 alone is "silk" probably meant (meshi , perhaps a Chinese word). </p> <p> The flax for the tabernacle was spun by the women, and as thread given to [[Aholiab]] and his helpers to weave (&nbsp;Exodus 25:4; &nbsp;Exodus 35:25; &nbsp;Exodus 35:35); he directed the work of the skilled weaver ("the cunning workman"), the embroiderer and the ordinary weaver. Βaad (from a root meaning "separate", referring to the distinctness of the threads in the texture) is the [[Hebrew]] for the linen breeches of Aaron and his sons in ministering: &nbsp;Exodus 28:40-42, which compared with &nbsp;Exodus 39:28, "linen (baad ) of fine turned linen" (sheesh ) identifies baad with sheesh , sheesh being perhaps the spun threads, ''Baad'' the linen woven from them. </p> <p> Βaad is exclusively applied to the holy linen garments, ephod, etc., of priests, etc. (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:27), and angels (&nbsp;Ezekiel 9:2-3; &nbsp;Ezekiel 9:11; &nbsp;Ezekiel 10:2; &nbsp;Ezekiel 10:6; &nbsp;Daniel 10:5; &nbsp;Daniel 12:6-7). Βuwts , bussos , was the [[Levite]] choir's dress (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 5:12); kings wore it loosely over the close fitting tunic (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:27). The temple veil was of it, naturally as made by Tyrians (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 3:14; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 2:14). [[Mordecai]] was arrayed in it (&nbsp;Esther 8:15). The house of Ashbea, sprung from [[Shelah]] Judah's sou, wrought in it (buwts ) (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:21); tradition says they wrought priests' and kings' robes and the sanctuary hangings. The bride's "fine linen, the righteousness of saints," contrasts with the harlot Babylon's merchandise in "fine linen" (&nbsp;Revelation 19:8; &nbsp;Revelation 19:14; &nbsp;Revelation 18:12). </p> <p> So also the fine linen (''Sheesh'' ) which God put upon [[Israel]] (&nbsp;Ezekiel 16:10); contrast the rich man's fine linen (''Bussos'' ) (&nbsp;Luke 16:19). &nbsp;Proverbs 7:16, "I have decked my bed with fine linen 'etuwn , related to Greek othonee of Egypt," i.e. ornamented the bed covering with threads of fine Egyptian flax. In &nbsp;Judges 14:12-13, sadin (Greek sindon ) is Hebrew for the 30 linen garments which [[Samson]] promised. Made by women (&nbsp;Proverbs 31:24); the good housewife "made fine linen and girdles"; her own clothing is "fine linen" (sheesh , not "silk," &nbsp;Proverbs 31:22). </p> <p> Used for winding sheets and head napkins (&nbsp;John 11:44; &nbsp;John 20:5), and towels (&nbsp;John 13:4-5). Ρishteh is the general term (&nbsp;Joshua 2:6), "flax" (&nbsp;Judges 15:14). Βussos is the finer linen; linon is the general term. The mummies' cloth is found by microscopic examination to be linen: linen fibre is cylindrical, transparent, and jointed as a cane; cotton fibre appears as a flat riband with a hem at each edge. Solomon's merchants brought linen yarn (miquwreh ) out of Egypt (&nbsp;1 Kings 10:28; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 1:16). But Gesenius, Keil, etc., translated "and (as for) the going out of horses from Egypt for Solomon, a company of king's merchants fetched (horses) at a definite price." This is against the accents; [[Septuagint]] and [[Vulgate]] translated "from Koa," a place for collecting customs on the Egyptian frontier. </p>

<p> <strong> [[Linen]] </strong> is cloth made from the prepared fibre of flax. In ancient Egypt great proficiency was attained in its manufacture (Pliny, <em> HN </em> vii. 56; Strabo, xxvii. 41; Herod. ii. 182), and a flourishing trade was carried on (&nbsp; Proverbs 7:16 , &nbsp; Ezekiel 27:7 ). As material of wearing apparel it has always been esteemed in the East. In a hot climate it tends to greater freshness and cleanliness than cotton or wool. The Egyptian priests were obliged to wear linen (Herod. ii. 37; Wilk. <em> Anc. Egyp </em> . iii. 117). The ‘cotton garments’ mentioned on the [[Rosetta]] stone were probably worn over the linen, and left outside when the priests entered a temple. The embalmed bodies of men and animals were wrapped in strips of linen. No other material was used for this purpose (Wilk. <em> ib </em> . iii. 115, 116, 484). Perhaps we may trace Egyptian influence in the place given to linen in the hangings, etc., of the Tabernacle, and in the garments of the priests (&nbsp; Exodus 25:4; &nbsp; Exodus 26:1 etc., &nbsp; Exodus 28:15 etc.). It formed part of the usual clothing of royalty, and of the wealthy classes (&nbsp; [[Genesis]] 41:42 , &nbsp; Esther 8:15 , &nbsp; Luke 16:19 ). It is the dress worn by persons engaged in religious service. The priests are those who ‘wear a linen ephod’ (&nbsp; 1 Samuel 22:18 ). The child Samuel in [[Shiloh]] (&nbsp; 1 Samuel 2:18 ), and David, bringing back the ark (&nbsp; 2 Samuel 6:14 etc.), also wear the linen ephod; cf. &nbsp; Ezekiel 9:2; &nbsp; Ezekiel 10:2 , &nbsp; Daniel 10:5 . It formed the garment of the Levite singers (&nbsp; 2 Chronicles 5:12 ). It was the fitting raiment of the Lamb’s wife, ‘the righteousness of the saints’ (&nbsp; Revelation 19:3 ); presumptuously assumed by ‘the great city Babylon’ (&nbsp; Revelation 18:16 ); in it are also arrayed ‘the armies that are in heaven’ (&nbsp; Revelation 19:14 ). </p> <p> No clear and uniform distinction can be drawn between several Heb. words tr. [Note: translate or translation.] ‘linen.’ <em> bad </em> appears to be always used of garments (&nbsp; Genesis 41:42 etc.), while <em> shçsh </em> may perhaps mean the thread, as in the phrase ‘ <em> bad </em> of fine twined <em> shçsh </em> ’ (&nbsp; Exodus 39:28 ), the cloth made from it (&nbsp; Exodus 25:4; &nbsp; Exodus 26:1 , &nbsp; Ezekiel 27:7 etc.), and also garments (&nbsp; Exodus 28:5 etc.). We cannot, indeed, be certain that ‘linen’ is always intended (Guthe, <em> Bib. Wörterbuch, s.v. </em> ). The modern Arab. [Note: Arabic.] <em> shash </em> means ‘cotton gauze.’ <em> bûts </em> is a word of Aramæan origin, occurring only in later books (&nbsp; Ezekiel 27:16 , &nbsp; 1 Chronicles 4:21 , &nbsp; Esther 1:6 ), whence comes the Gr. <em> byssos </em> . which covered both <em> bad </em> and <em> shçsh </em> (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . III. vi. 1f.). By later writers it was taken to represent cotton (Liddell and Scott, <em> s.v </em> .). <em> pishtîm </em> is a general term, denoting the flax, or anything made from it (&nbsp; Joshua 2:5 , &nbsp; Judges 15:14 , &nbsp; Jeremiah 13:1 etc.). <em> sâdîn </em> was a sheet in which the whole body might be wrapped (&nbsp; Judges 14:12 f., &nbsp; Proverbs 31:24 etc.). It probably corresponded to the <em> sindôn </em> ‘linen cloth’ of &nbsp; Mark 14:51 , and the shroud of &nbsp; Matthew 27:59 etc. <em> ’çtûm </em> (&nbsp; Proverbs 7:16 ) is probably fine Egyptian thread, with which cloths and haogiogs were ornamented, <em> othonç </em> (&nbsp; Acts 10:11 ) is a large sheet: <em> othonia </em> (&nbsp; John 19:40 etc.) are strips for bandages, <em> ômolinon </em> ( Sir 40:4 ) was cloth of unbleached flax, <em> sha‘atnçz </em> (&nbsp; Leviticus 19:19 ) was probably cloth composed of linen and cotton. </p> <p> <strong> Linen yarn </strong> (&nbsp; 1 Kings 10:28 , &nbsp; 2 Chronicles 1:15 , <em> miqweh </em> ) should almost certainly be rendered with RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘drove.’ </p> <p> W. Ewing. </p>

<li> Heb. sadin. &nbsp;Proverbs 31:24 , "fine linen;" in Revised Version, "linen garments" (&nbsp;Judges 14:12,13; &nbsp;Isaiah 3:23 ). From this Hebrew word is probably derived the Greek word sindon, rendered "linen" in &nbsp;Mark 14:51,52; &nbsp;15:46; &nbsp;Matthew 27:59 . <p> The word "linen" is used as an emblem of moral purity (&nbsp;Revelation 15:6 ). In &nbsp;Luke 16:19 it is mentioned as a mark of luxury. </p> <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Linen'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/l/linen.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> has been made in the A. Version or elsewhere the representative of a considerable number of Hebrew and Greek terms, to most of which it more or less nearly corresponds. The material designated by them in general is no doubt principally, and perhaps by some of them exclusively, the product of the flax-plant; but there is another plant which, as being a probable rival to it, may be most conveniently considered here, namely, HEMP (See Hemp) . (See Silk); (See Wool). </p> <p> Hemp is a plant which in the present day is extensively distributed, being cultivated in Europe, and extending through [[Persia]] to the southernmost parts of India. In the plains of that country it is cultivated on account of its intoxicating product, so well known as bang; in the [[Himalayas]] both on this account and for its yielding the ligneous fiber which is used for sack and rope making. Its European names are no doubt derived from the Arabic kinnab, which is supposed to be connected with the Sanscrit shanapee. There is no doubt therefore, that it might easily have been cultivated in Egypt. Herodotus mentions it as being employed by the Thracians for making garments. "These were so like linen that none but a very experienced person could tell whether they were of hemp or flax; one who had never seen hemp would certainly suppose them to be linen." Hemp is used in the present day for smockfrocks and tunics; and [[Russia]] sheeting and Russia duck are well known. Cannabis is mentioned in the works of [[Hippocrates]] on account of its medical properties. Dioscorides describes it as being employed for making ropes, and it was a good deal cultivated by the [[Greeks]] for this purpose. Though we are unable at present to prove that it was cultivated in Egypt at an early period, and used for making garments, yet there is nothing improbable in its having been so. Indeed, as it was known to various Asiatic nations, it could hardly have been unknown to the Egyptians, and the similarity of the word husheesh to the Arabic shesh would lead to a belief that they were acquainted with it, especially as in a language like the Hebrew it is more probable that different names were applied to totally different things, than that the same thing had two or three different names. Hemp might thus have been used at an early period, along with flax and wool, for making cloth for garments and for hangings, and would be much valued until cotton and the finer kinds of linen came to be known. </p> <p> '''1.''' PISHTEH´ (פַּשְׁתֶּה, or, rather, according to Gesenius, פֶּשֶׁת '', Pe'Sheth,'' from פָּשִׁשׁ, to ''Card)'' is rendered "linen" in &nbsp;Leviticus 13:47-48; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:52; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:59; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:11; &nbsp;Jeremiah 13:1; &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:17-18; and "flax" in &nbsp;Joshua 2:6; &nbsp;Judges 15:14; &nbsp;Proverbs 31:13; &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:3, &nbsp;Hosea 2:5; &nbsp;Hosea 2:9. It signifies </p> <p> '''(1.)''' ''Flax.'' i.e., the material of linen, &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:11; &nbsp;Proverbs 31:13, where its manufacture is spoken of; also a line or rope made of it, &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:3; &nbsp;Judges 14:4; so "stalks of flax," i.e., woody flax, &nbsp;Joshua 2:6 (where the Sept. has λινοκαλάμη, Vulg. stipulae lini. but the Arabic Vers. stalks of ''Cotton);'' and </p> <p> '''(2.)''' wrought flax. i.e., [[Linen]] cloth, as made into garments. e.g. generally, &nbsp;Leviticus 13:47-48; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:52; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:59; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:11; &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:17; a girdle, &nbsp;Jeremiah 13:1. a mitre a pair of drawers worn by the priests, &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:18. A cognate term is פַּשְׁתָּה, ''Pistah','' the plant "flax" as growing, &nbsp;Exodus 9:31; spec. a ''Wick,'' made of linen, i.e., of "flax," &nbsp;Isaiah 42:3, or "tow," &nbsp;Isaiah 43:17. To this exactly corresponds the Greek λίνον (whence English ''Linen),'' which, indeed, stands for ''Pishteh'' or ''Pishtah'' in the Sept. (at &nbsp;Exodus 9:31; &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 43:3). It signifies properly the flax-plant (Xenophon, ''Ath.'' 2:11, 12), but in the N.T. is only used of [[Linen]] raiment (&nbsp;Revelation 15:6; comp. Homer, ''Il.'' 9:661; ''Od.'' 13:73), also the wick of a lamp, as being composed of a strip or ravelings of linen (&nbsp;Matthew 12:20), where the half-expiring flame is made the symbol of an almost despairing heart, which will be cheered instead of having its religious hopes extinguished by the Redeemer. In &nbsp;John 13:4-5 occurs the Latin term linteum, in its Greek form λέντιον, literally a [[Linen]] cloth, hence a "towel" or [[Apron]] (comp. Galen, ''Comp. Med.'' 9; Suetonius, ''Calig.'' 26). </p> <p> This well-known plant was early cultivated in Egypt (&nbsp;Exodus 9:31; &nbsp;Isaiah 19:9; comp. Pliny, 19:2; Herod. 2:105; Iasselquist, ''Trav.'' page 500), namely, in the Delta around [[Pelusium]] ("linum Pelusiacum," Sil. Ital. 3:25, 375; "linteum Pelusium," Phaedr. 2:6, 12); but also in [[Palestine]] (&nbsp;Joshua 2:6, &nbsp;Hosea 2:7; compare Pococke. ''East,'' 1:260), the stalk attaining a height of several feet (see &nbsp;Joshua 2:6; compare Hartmann, ''Hebr.'' 1:116). Linen or tow was employed by the Hebrews, especially as a branch of female domestic manufacture (&nbsp;Proverbs 31:13), for garments (&nbsp;2 Samuel 6:14; &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:17; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:47; &nbsp;Revelation 15:6; comp. Philo, 2:225), girdles (&nbsp;Jeremiah 31:1), thread and ropes (&nbsp;Ezekiel 40:3; &nbsp;Judges 15:13), napkins (&nbsp;Luke 24:12; &nbsp;John 19:40), turbans (&nbsp;Ezekiel 44:18), and lamp-wick (&nbsp;Isaiah 40:3; &nbsp;Isaiah 43:17; &nbsp;Matthew 12:20). For clothing they used the "fine linen" (בִּד, ὀθόνη, &nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:27, where the Sept. has βύσσινος '':'' see Hartmann, 3:38; compare &nbsp;Leviticus 16:4; &nbsp;Leviticus 16:23; &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:17), perhaps the Pelusiac linen of Egypt (see Mishna, ''Joma,'' 3:7), of remarkable whiteness (comp. &nbsp;Daniel 12:6; &nbsp;Revelation 15:6; see Plutarch, ''Isis,'' c. 4), with which the fine [[Babylon]] linen manufactured at Borsippa doubtless corresponded (Strabo, 16:739), being the material of the splendid robes of the [[Persian]] monarchs (Strabo, 14:719; Curt. 8:9), doubtless the ''Karpas, כִּרְפִּס'' , of &nbsp;Esther 1:6 (see Gesenius, ''Thesaur. Heb.'' page 715). Very poor persons wore garments of unbleached flax ''(Ὠμόλινον'' , linum crudum, i.q. ''Tow-Cloth,'' &nbsp;Sirach 40:4). The refuse of flax or [[Tow]] is called in Heb. נַעֹרֵת, nesoreth (&nbsp;Judges 16:9; Isaiah 31). (See, generally, Celsius, ''Hierobot.'' 2:28 sq. See FLAX. </p> <p> '''2.''' BUTS (בּוּוֹ '','' from a root signifying ''Whiteness)'' occurs in &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:21; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:27; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 2:14; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 3:14; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 5:12; &nbsp;Esther 1:6; &nbsp;Esther 8:15; &nbsp;Ezekiel 27:16, in all which passages the A.V. renders it "fine linen," except in &nbsp;2 Chronicles 5:12, where it translates "white linen." The word is of [[Aramean]] origin, being found in substantially the same form in all the cognate dialects. It is spoken of the finest and most precious stuffs, as worn by kings (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:27), by priests (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 5:12), and by other persons of high rank or honor (&nbsp;Esther 1:6; &nbsp;Esther 1:8; &nbsp;Esther 1:15). It is used of the [[Syrian]] [[Byssus]] (&nbsp;Ezekiel 27:16), which seems there to be distinguished from the Egyptian [[Byssus]] or שֵׁשׁ, shesh (&nbsp;Ezekiel 27:7). [[Elsewhere]] it seems not to differ from this last, and is often put for it in late Hebrew (e.g. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:21; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 3:14; comp. &nbsp;Exodus 26:31; so the Syr. and Chald. equivalents of ''Buts'' occur in the O. and N.T. for the Heb. שֵׁשׁ and Gr. βύσσος). That the Heb. garments made of this material were ''White May'' not only be certainly concluded from the etymology (which that of שֵׁשׁ confirms), but from the express language of &nbsp;Revelation 19:4, where the white and shining raiment of the saints is emblematical of their purity. Yet we should not rashly reject the testimony of [[Pausanias]] (5:5), who states that the Hebrew [[Byssus]] was ''Yellow,'' for cotton of this color is found as well in [[Guinea]] and India ''(Gossypium Religiosum)'' as in [[Greece]] at this day (comp. Vossius, ''Ad. Virg. Geo.'' 2:220), although white was doubtless the prevailing color, as of linen with us. J.E. [[Faber]] (in Harmar, ''Observ.'' 2:382 sq.) suspects that the ''Buts'' was a cotton-plant common in Syria, and different from the ''Shesh'' or tree-cotton. It has long been disputed whether the cloths of [[Byssus]] were of linen or cotton (see Celsius, ''Hierobot.'' 2:167 sq.; Forster, De bysso antiquor. London, 1776), and recent microscopic experiments upon the mummy-cloths brought to London from Egypt have been claimed as determining the controversy by discovering that the threads of these are linen (Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. 3:115). </p> <p> But this is not decisive, as there may have existed religious reasons for employing linen for this particular purpose, and the cloths used for bandaging the bodies are not clearly stated to have been of byssus. On the contrary, the characteristics ascribed to this latter are such as much better agree with the qualities of cotton (see Forster, De bysqo, ut sup.). "The corresponding Greek word βύσσος occurs in &nbsp;Luke 16:19, where the rich man is described as being clothed in purple and fine ''Linen,'' and also in &nbsp;Revelation 18:12; &nbsp;Revelation 18:16; &nbsp;Revelation 19:8; &nbsp;Revelation 19:14, among the merchandise the loss of which would be mourned for by the merchants trading with the mystical Babylon. But it is by many authors still considered uncertain whether this byssus was of fax or cotton; for, as Rosenmü ller says, 'The Heb. word shesh, which occurs thirty times in the two first books of the [[Pentateuch]] (see Celsius, 2:259), is in these places, as well as in &nbsp;Proverbs 31:22, by the Greek [[Alexandrian]] translators interpreted ''Byssus,'' which denotes Egyptian cotton, and also the cotton cloth made from it. In the later writings of the O.T., as, for example, in the Chronicles, the book of Esther, and Ezekiel, ''Buts'' is commonly used instead of ''Shesh'' as ''An'' expression for cotton cloth.' This, however, seems to be inferred rather than proved, and it is just as likely that improved civilization may have introduced a substance, such as cotton, which was unknown at the times when shesh was spoken of and employed, in the same manner as we know that in Europe woolen, hempen, linen, and cotton clothes have at one period of society been more extensively worn than at another." </p> <p> [[Cotton]] is the product of a plant apparently cultivated in the earliest ages not only in India, Cyprus, and other well-known localities, but also in Egypt (Pliny, 19:2; comp. Descript. de l'Egypte, 17:104 sq.), and even in Syria (&nbsp;Ezekiel 27:16) and Palestine (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:21; Pausan. 5:5, 2; Pococke, East, 2:88; Arvieux, 1:306). Two kinds of cotton are usually distinguished, the plant (Gossypium herbaceum) and the tree (Gossyp. arboreum), although the latest investigations appear to make them essentially one. The former, which in Western Asia is found growing in fields (Olearius, Travels, page 297; Korte, Reis. page 437), is an annual shrub two or three feet high, but when cultivated (Olivier, Trav. 2:461) it becomes a bush from three to five feet in height. The stalks are reddish at the bottom, the branches short, furry, and speckled with black spots; the leaves are dark green, large, five-lobed, and weak. The flowers spring from the junction of the leaves with the stem; they are bell-shaped, pale yellow, but purplish beneath. They are succeeded by oval capsules of the size of a hazel-nut, which swell to the size of a walnut, and (in October) burst spontaneously. They contain a little ball of white filaments, which in warm situations attains the size of an apple. Imbedded in this are seven little egg- shaped, woolly seeds, of a brown or black-gray color, which contain an oily kernel. The Gossypium arboreunr (δένδρον ἐπιοφόριον of Theophrastus) was anciently (see Theoph. ''Plant.'' 4:9, page 144, ed. Schneider), and still is indigenous in Asia (i.e., India), and attains a height of about twelve feet, but differs very little as to the leaves, blossoms, or fruit from the herbaceous cotton. See generally Belon, in Paulus's ''Samml.'' 1:214 sq.; Kurrer, in the Hall. Encykl. 8:209 sq., Oken, Lehrb. d. Neaturgesch. II, 2:1262 sq.; Ainslie, Mater. Ind. page 282 sq.; Ritter, Erdk. 7:1058 sq. </p>

<p> ''''' lin´en ''''' ( בּד , <i> ''''' badh ''''' </i> , "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, בּוּץ , <i> ''''' būc ''''' </i> , "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings שׁשׁ , <i> ''''' shēsh ''''' </i> ; פּשׁת , <i> ''''' pesheth ''''' </i> , "flax," סדין , <i> ''''' ṣādhı̄n ''''' </i> ; βύσσος , <i> ''''' bússos ''''' </i> , ὀθόνιον , <i> ''''' othónion ''''' </i> , λίνον , <i> ''''' lı́non ''''' </i> , σινδών , <i> ''''' sindṓn ''''' </i> ): Thread or cloth made of flax. </p> 1. History: <p> [[Ancient]] Egypt was noted for its fine linen (&nbsp;Genesis 41:42; &nbsp;Isaiah 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]] (&nbsp;Exodus 35:25 ) and continued to rely on them for the finest linen (&nbsp;Proverbs 7:16; &nbsp;Ezekiel 27:7 ). The culture of flax in Palestine probably antedated the conquest, for in &nbsp;Joshua 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 (&nbsp; Proverbs 31:13 , &nbsp;Proverbs 31:19 ), among whom skill in this work was considered highly praiseworthy (&nbsp;Exodus 35:25 ). One family, the house of Ashbea, attained eminence as workers in linen (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:21; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 2:14 ). </p> 2. General Uses: <p> 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. </p> 3. Priestly Garments: <p> The robes of the Hebrew priests consisted of 4 linen garments, in addition to which the high priest wore garments of other stuffs (&nbsp;Exodus 28; &nbsp;39; &nbsp;Leviticus 6:10; &nbsp;Leviticus 16:4; &nbsp;1 Samuel 22:18; &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:17 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 44:18 ). 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 (&nbsp;1 Samuel 2:18 ), the Levite singers in the temple (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 5:12 ), and even royal personages (&nbsp;2 Samuel 6:14; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:27 ). Accordingly, it was ascribed to angels (&nbsp;Ezekiel 9:2 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 9:3 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 9:11; &nbsp;Ezekiel 10:2 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 10:6 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 10:7; &nbsp;Daniel 10:5; &nbsp;Daniel 12:6 , &nbsp;Daniel 12:7 ). Fine linen, white and pure, is the raiment assigned to the armies which are in heaven following Him who is called Faithful and True (&nbsp;Revelation 19:14 ). It is deemed a fitting symbol of the righteousness and purity of the saints (&nbsp;Revelation 19:8 ). </p> 4. Other Garments: <p> [[Garments]] of distinction were generally made of the same material: e.g. those which Pharaoh gave Joseph (&nbsp;Genesis 41:42 ), and those which Mordecai wore (&nbsp;Esther 8:15; compare also &nbsp;Luke 16:19 ). Even a girdle of fine linen could be used by a prophet as a means of attracting attention to his message (&nbsp;Jeremiah 13:1 ). It is probable that linen wrappers of a coarser quality were used by men (&nbsp;Judges 14:12 , &nbsp;Judges 14:13 ) and women (&nbsp;Proverbs 31:22 ). The use of linen, however, for ordinary purposes probably suggested unbecoming luxury (&nbsp;Isaiah 3:23; &nbsp;Ezekiel 16:10 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 16:13; compare also &nbsp;Revelation 18:12 , &nbsp;Revelation 18:16 ). The poorer classes probably wore wrappers made either of unbleached flax or hemp (Ecclesiasticus 40:4; &nbsp;Mark 14:51 ). The use of a mixture called <i> '''''sha‛aṭnēz''''' </i> , which is defined (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:11 ) as linen and wool together, was forbidden in garments. </p> 5. Shrouds: <p> 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 (&nbsp;Matthew 27:59; &nbsp;Mark 15:46; &nbsp;Luke 23:53; &nbsp;John 19:40; &nbsp;John 20:5 ff) and the [[Talmud]] (Jerusalem <i> Killayim </i> 9:32b). </p> 6. Hangings: <p> The use of twisted linen ( <i> ''''' shēsh ''''' </i> <i> ''''' moshzār ''''' </i> ) for fine hangings dates back to an early period. It was used in the tabernacle (&nbsp; Exodus 26:1; &nbsp;Exodus 27:9; 35; 36; 38; Josephus, <i> Ant. </i> , III, vi, 2), in the temple (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 3:14 ), and no doubt in other places ( <i> [[Mishna]] </i> , <i> Yoma' </i> , iii. 4). Linen cords for hangings are mentioned in the description of the palace of [[Ahasuerus]] at [[Shushan]] (&nbsp;Esther 1:6 ). </p> 7. Other Uses: <p> Other uses are suggested, such as for sails, in the imaginary ship to which [[Tyre]] is compared (&nbsp;Ezekiel 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 (&nbsp;Proverbs 7:16 ), and possibly in other instances where an even, durable material was needed, as in making measuring lines (&nbsp;Ezekiel 40:3 ). </p>