Flax: Robes Made of
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Flax is a plant that has been cultivated since ancient times, primarily for its fibers, which are used to produce linen. Linen, derived from flax, is one of the oldest textiles known to humanity and holds significant importance in biblical history and culture. The cultivation and use of flax are frequently mentioned in the Bible, highlighting its role in the daily life and religious practices of the Israelites.

Biblical References and Significance

Flax is first mentioned in the context of the plagues of Egypt, where it is noted that the flax and barley were destroyed by hail (Exodus 9:31). This indicates the agricultural importance of flax in ancient Egypt, a significance that extended to the Israelites as they adopted similar agricultural practices.

Linen garments, made from flax, are often associated with purity and holiness in the Bible. The priests of Israel were commanded to wear linen garments when ministering in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. In Exodus 28:39-42, God instructs Moses on the making of priestly garments, specifying the use of fine linen. This choice of material underscores the sanctity and set-apart nature of the priestly office.

The use of linen is also evident in the construction of the Tabernacle itself. In Exodus 26:1, God commands the Israelites to make the Tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen, along with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. This further emphasizes the association of linen with divine service and worship.

Symbolism and Cultural Context

Linen, as a product of flax, symbolizes purity, righteousness, and divine service. In Revelation 19:8, the fine linen worn by the bride of Christ is described as "the righteous acts of the saints." This imagery reinforces the idea that linen, and by extension flax, is emblematic of holiness and moral purity.

In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, linen was a valuable commodity. It was prized for its durability, breathability, and comfort, making it suitable for the hot climate of the region. The production of linen from flax involved a labor-intensive process of harvesting, retting, drying, and weaving, which added to its value and significance.

Practical Uses and Economic Importance

Beyond its religious and symbolic uses, flax was an economically important crop. The production of linen provided livelihoods for many, from farmers to weavers. Proverbs 31:13 describes the virtuous woman as one who "selects wool and flax and works with eager hands," highlighting the domestic and economic role of flax in the household.

The cultivation of flax and the production of linen were integral to the economy of ancient Israel and its neighbors. Linen was used not only for clothing but also for sails, ropes, and other essential items, making it a versatile and indispensable material.

Conclusion

Flax, through its transformation into linen, holds a prominent place in biblical history and theology. Its use in priestly garments and sacred spaces underscores its association with purity and holiness, while its economic and practical applications reflect its importance in the daily life of the ancient Israelites.
Nave's Topical Index
Esther 1:16
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 40:3
And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Samson who did to Others as they did to Him
... me, then you shall give me thirty fine linen robes and thirty ... went up and camped
in Judah and made a raid ... ropes that were on his arms became like flax that has ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samson who did to others.htm

On Clothes.
... I say nothing of the linens made of Amorgos [1548] and Byssus. ... [1537] Various kinds
of robes. ... [1547] Iliad, v. 83. [1548] Flax grown in the island of Amorgos. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

The Exaltation of Christ
... he, although I be but as smoking flax, yet if ... The stains are embroideries upon his
royal robes for ever. The treading of that wine-press hath made his garments ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exaltation of christ.htm

Victor Emmanuel, Emancipator
... shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he ... sin, and clothe thee with glorious
robes of righteousness ... willing to have Christ, Christ hath made thee willing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/victor emmanuel emancipator.htm

Beauty for Ashes
... shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he ... spirit of heaviness." The man is
first made beautiful, next ... then afterwards he is arrayed in robes of splendor ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/beauty for ashes.htm

Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
... dust of death." No broken reed or smoking flax can be ... third occasion upon which this
promise was made is in ... the kingdom, and wearing your white robes, ye smile ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/never never never never never.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... accounts himself most glorious in the shining robes of his ... the coats and garments
which you have made for the ... thereof and will recover my wool and my flax.'. ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

Andromeda
... slow-footed oxen, Drowning the barley and flax, and the ... have shrieked for their mercy:
but shame made her dumb ... fear of the curb, and the fluttering robes of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/andromeda.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... Their robes are washed and made white in the blood of ... Paul, 'to Abraham and his seed
were the promises made. ... shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... submitted to the Saviour, and have washed their robes and made ... 62:1,2). And again,
'The Lord hath made bare his ... temple, had in his hand 'a line of flax' (40:3 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Resources
What does it mean to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Samson in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is there extra-biblical evidence of the ten plagues in Egypt? | GotQuestions.org

Flax: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Flax

Flax in Egypt

Flax in Palestine

Flax: Linen Made From

Flax: Robes Made of

Flax: Smoking Flax not Quenched

Related Terms

Flax-cord (1 Occurrence)

Linen (111 Occurrences)

Tow (3 Occurrences)

Rahab (14 Occurrences)

Bolled (1 Occurrence)

Flowers (42 Occurrences)

Wool (34 Occurrences)

Line (131 Occurrences)

Flower (33 Occurrences)

Forming (27 Occurrences)

Fine (184 Occurrences)

Ruined (65 Occurrences)

Damaged (44 Occurrences)

Bloom (9 Occurrences)

Bud (23 Occurrences)

Budding (8 Occurrences)

Smoking (9 Occurrences)

Spinning

Smitten (215 Occurrences)

Smoldering (4 Occurrences)

Barley (35 Occurrences)

Dress (38 Occurrences)

Headed (7 Occurrences)

Trade (33 Occurrences)

Thread (32 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Almost (27 Occurrences)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Flawless (7 Occurrences)

Destroyed (377 Occurrences)

Reed (41 Occurrences)

Yarn (37 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Quencheth (1 Occurrence)

Victory (71 Occurrences)

Net-works (3 Occurrences)

Networks (5 Occurrences)

Order (809 Occurrences)

Lint (1 Occurrence)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Lehi (5 Occurrences)

Last (1087 Occurrences)

Grass (92 Occurrences)

Webbing (1 Occurrence)

Weave (4 Occurrences)

Weavers (4 Occurrences)

Won't (144 Occurrences)

Willow (1 Occurrence)

Fruit (318 Occurrences)

Flay (3 Occurrences)

Till (774 Occurrences)

Ripens (2 Occurrences)

Ropes (32 Occurrences)

Rope (10 Occurrences)

Rock (176 Occurrences)

Rot (15 Occurrences)

Extinguished (14 Occurrences)

Distaff (2 Occurrences)

Mightily (36 Occurrences)

Moderately (1 Occurrence)

Measuring-reed (6 Occurrences)

Plaster (13 Occurrences)

Pull (32 Occurrences)

Brake (80 Occurrences)

Brings (155 Occurrences)

Boon (4 Occurrences)

Bindings (1 Occurrence)

Battered (3 Occurrences)

Bruised (36 Occurrences)

Charred (4 Occurrences)

Comb (3 Occurrences)

Combed (1 Occurrence)

Conceiver (1 Occurrence)

Arranged (32 Occurrences)

Shamefully (15 Occurrences)

Stuffs (1 Occurrence)

Secreted (1 Occurrence)

Spin (4 Occurrences)

Flax: Linen Made From
Top of Page
Top of Page