flax Summary and Overview

(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 (Ex. 9:31). It was extensively cultivated both in Egypt and Israel. Reference is made in Josh. 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; Deut. 22:11). (See LINEN T0002296.)

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 Israel even before the conquest of that country by the Israelites appears from #Jos 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. #Isa 19:9| That flax was one of the most important crops in Israel appears from #Ho 2:5,9|

FLAX , a well-known plant, which furnishes the material of linen stuffs of every variety, Ex 9:31. It was produced of the best quality in Egypt, Isa 19:9, and was an article of extensive commerce. At the present day, as in ancient times, flax is laid upon the housetop in the heat of the sun to dry, Josh 2:6. [image 152, 40, 277, 217, 19216,19216] Flax. (After Tristram.) Lamp-wicks were made of this material, Isa 42:3. The spinning of flax was [image 18, 242, 280, 361, 19216,19216] Preparation of Flax. (From the Egyptian Monuments. After Wilkinson.) anciently the labor of the most noble ladies. Prov 31:13, Num 31:19, Prov 31:24. See Linen and Distaff.

A general term translators use to describe vessels. It does not appear in KJV. The term refers to a small container of perfumed oil in 2 Kings 9:1-3. The same Hebrew word appears in 1 Samuel 10:1. At Jeremiah 19:1 (RSV) refers to an earthenware water jar or jug. The vessel perhaps had a narrow neck making it impossible to mend (Jeremiah 19:10). This Hebrew word recurs in 1 Kings 14:3. At Matthew 25:4 small containers for lamp oil are meant. The Greek term appears only here in the New Testament. Luke 7:37 refers to a small alabaster container such as had been used for expensive perfumes for thousands of years.