Lexical Summary pesheth: Linen, Flax Original Word: פִשְׁתֶּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance flax, linen From the same as pash as in the sense of comminuting; linen (i.e. The thread, as carded) -- flax, linen. see HEBREW pash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition flax, linen NASB Translation flax (6), linen (9), linen made from flax (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מֵּ֫שֶׁת] noun [masculine] flax, linen (√ dubious; Late Hebrew מִּשְׁתָּן, Punic φοιστ; Löwp. 233); — suffixמִּשְׁתִּי Hosea 2:7; Hosea 2:11; elsewhere plural מִּעשׁתִּים Judges 15:14 +, construct מִּשְׁתֵּי Joshua 2:6; — 1 flax, after gathering, מִּשְׁתֵּי הָעֵץ Joshua 2:6 (J E, see עֵץ 2f); inflammable Judges 15:14 (simile); as natural product (+ עֶמֶר) Hosea 2:7; Hosea 2:11; as material, ׳מְּתִיל פ Ezekiel 40:3; of various garments Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel 44:17,18 (twice in verse), + צֶמֶר Deuteronomy 22:11; Leviticus 13:47,48,52,59 (P), compare Proverbs 31:13; שְׂרִיקוֺת ׳עֹבְדֵי פ Isaiah 19:9 (see [ שָׂרִיק]). Topical Lexicon Overview פִשְׁתֶּה denotes flax—either the plant, its fibers, or cloth spun from it. Within Scripture the word occurs in settings that range from household economy to priestly worship, offering a window into Israel’s agrarian life and into the theological themes of purity, strength, judgment, and redemption. Flax in Israelite Material Culture Flax was sown in the winter rains, pulled up by the roots in early spring, retted, beaten, and spun into thread. Joshua 2:6 pictures Rahab hiding the spies “under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.” The verse hints at rooftop drying, a common stage in processing. Proverbs 31:13 commends the virtuous wife who “selects wool and flax and works with eager hands,” showing flax as a staple of the home economy that demanded diligence and skill. Isaiah 19:9 similarly speaks of “those who work with flax” in Egypt, confirming a regional trade that fostered commerce and employment. Legal and Ritual Regulations Leviticus 13:47-59 applies the laws of tsaraath (mildew, mold, or fungus) not merely to human skin but also to garments “whether in wool or linen.” Linen’s susceptibility to dampness required strict oversight lest impurity spread. Deuteronomy 22:11 forbids wearing garments of “mixed wool and linen,” reinforcing separateness in daily attire. These statutes preserved ceremonial cleanness and taught Israel to distinguish between what is holy and common. Flax as Instrument of Providence and Power In Joshua 2, flax becomes the means by which Rahab shelters Israel’s spies, securing the line through which salvation comes to her household. Judges 15:14 portrays Philistine cords on Samson as “flax that burns in fire,” a vivid picture of how flimsy human restraints prove before the Spirit-empowered judge. Thus flax may symbolize both protection and fragility, depending on its relation to divine purpose. Priestly Linen and the Theology of Holiness Ezekiel’s temple vision underscores linen as the fabric of priests. The heavenly messenger in Ezekiel 40:3 appears with “a linen cord and a measuring rod,” linking righteous measurement with linen purity. Ezekiel 44:17-18 legislates that priests entering the inner court must wear linen garments, “and no wool shall be on them,” lest perspiration (symbolizing human effort) defile their service. The emphasis anticipates Revelation 19:8, where the bride’s “fine linen” is “the righteous acts of the saints,” establishing continuity between Old Testament cultus and New Testament eschatology. Prophetic Warnings and Promises Hosea 2 uses flax as covenant metaphor. Israel, personified as an unfaithful wife, declares, “I will go after my lovers, who provide… my flax” (Hosea 2:5), attributing everyday provision to idols. The Lord responds, “Therefore I will take back My grain… and My wool and My flax” (Hosea 2:9), demonstrating that withholding flax—basic clothing material—becomes an instrument of chastisement. Jeremiah 13:1 records the prophet commanded to buy a linen waistband, later ruined to portray Judah’s pride. The very cloth meant to cling to the priest becomes, through corruption, a parable of apostasy. Spiritual Symbolism and Christological Fulfillment Throughout Scripture linen typifies righteousness granted by God rather than achieved by man. The High Priest’s linen garments on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16, though using a different Hebrew term) foreshadow the sinless life of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. The legal ban on mixture exhorts believers to unmixed devotion, while the mildew test echoes the need for continual cleansing through the Word. Samson’s burning flax cords prefigure the victory of the Spirit over the fleshly restraints of sin. Hosea’s reclaimed flax anticipates restoration: what God withholds in judgment, He can restore in covenant mercy. Pastoral and Missional Implications 1. Holiness in Service: Ministers are called to serve in “linen”—the purity that Christ provides—eschewing the sweat of self-effort. Selected Passages Leviticus 13:47 – “If a fabric is contaminated with mildew—any wool or linen garment…” Joshua 2:6 – “But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax…” Judges 15:14 – “But the ropes that bound him melted like flax in a flame…” Ezekiel 44:17 – “When they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen garments.” Hosea 2:9 – “Therefore I will take back My grain in its time… and My wool and My flax.” From household rooftops to the inner sanctuary, פִשְׁתֶּה threads its way through Scripture, pointing to the purity, provision, and power found in covenant relationship with the LORD. Forms and Transliterations בְּפִשְׁתֵּ֣י בַפִּשְׁתִּ֔ים בפשתי בפשתים הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗ים הפשתים וּפִשְׁתִּ֑ים וּפִשְׁתִּ֔י וּפִשְׁתִּ֖ים ופשתי ופשתים כַּפִּשְׁתִּים֙ כפשתים לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖ים לפשתים פִּשְׁתִּ֔ים פִּשְׁתִּ֥ים פִּשְׁתִּֽים׃ פִשְׁתִּ֔ים פִשְׁתִּ֖ים פִשְׁתִּים֙ פשתים פשתים׃ ḇap·piš·tîm ḇappištîm bə·p̄iš·tê befishTei bəp̄ištê fishTim hap·piš·tîm happishTim happištîm kap·piš·tîm kappishTim kappištîm lap·piš·tîm lappishTim lappištîm piš·tîm p̄iš·tîm pishTim pištîm p̄ištîm ū·p̄iš·tî ū·p̄iš·tîm ufishTi ufishTim ūp̄ištî ūp̄ištîm vappishTimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 13:47 HEB: א֖וֹ בְּבֶ֥גֶד פִּשְׁתִּֽים׃ NAS: garment or a linen garment, KJV: garment, or a linen garment; INT: or garment A linen Leviticus 13:48 Leviticus 13:52 Leviticus 13:59 Deuteronomy 22:11 Joshua 2:6 Judges 15:14 Proverbs 31:13 Isaiah 19:9 Jeremiah 13:1 Ezekiel 40:3 Ezekiel 44:17 Ezekiel 44:18 Ezekiel 44:18 Hosea 2:5 Hosea 2:9 16 Occurrences |
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