FLAX

A well-known plant, upon which the industry of mankind has been exercised with the greatest success and utility, Jos 2:6 Pr 1:13. Moses speaks of the flax in Egypt, Ex 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, Pr 7:16 Eze 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. 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," Isa 42:3 Mt 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.

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Flax. Flax
(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 Palestine. 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.)

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FLAX. → In Egypt Ex 9:31 → In Palestine Jos 2:6 → Linen made from Pr 31:13; Isa 19:6; Ho 2:5,9 → Robes made of Es 1:16; Eze 40:3 → See LINEN → FIGURATIVE
* Smoking flax not quenched Isa 42:3; Mt 12:20

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Ex 9:31; Jos 2:6; Jud 15:14; Pr 31:13; Isa 19:9; Eze 40:3; Ho 2:5

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flax. Flax, n. the plant from which linen is made

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Flax (flăks), n. [[AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G. flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L. plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. � to weave, plait. See Ply.]] 1. 1. (Bot.) 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.
2. 2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.
Earth flax (Min.), amianthus. — Flax brake, a machine for removing the woody portion of flax from the fibrous. — Flax comb, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle. — Flax cotton, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in bicarbonate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared for bleaching and spinning like cotton. Knight. — Flax dresser, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares it for the spinner. — Flax mill, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen manufactured. — Flax puller, a machine for pulling flax plants in the field. — Flax wench. (a) A woman who spins flax. (b) A prostitute. Shak. — Mountain flax (Min.), amianthus. — New Zealand flax (Bot.) See Flax-plant.