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.)

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 Palestine even before the conquest of that country by the Israelites appears from (Joshua 2:6) The various processes employed in preparing the flax for manufacture into cloth are indicated:

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.

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.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. 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. 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 bicarbinate 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. [Obs.] (b) A prostitute. [Obs.] Shak. -- Mountain flax (Min.), amianthus. -- New Zealand flax (Bot.) See Flax-plant.