flax, linen

“Flax” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(flexible). Grown and used largely in East (Ex. 9:31³¹And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. (Exodus 9:31); Josh. 2:6⁶But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. (Joshua 2:6); Isa. 19:9⁹Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded. (Isaiah 19:9)). For lamp wicks (Isa. 42:3³A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. (Isaiah 42:3); Matt. 12:20²⁰A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (Matthew 12:20)). Spinning honorable (Prov. 31:13,19,24¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (Proverbs 31:13)
¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (Proverbs 31:19)
²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (Proverbs 31:24)).

“Linen” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(flax). Used for stately robes (Gen. 41:42⁴²And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; (Genesis 41:42)); priestly vestments (Ex. 28:42⁴²And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: (Exodus 28:42); Lev. 6:10¹⁰And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. (Leviticus 6:10)); temple veil (2 Chron. 3:14¹⁴And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon. (2 Chronicles 3:14)); choral gowns (2 Chron. 5:12¹²Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) (2 Chronicles 5:12)), and ordinary dress. Symbol of purity (Rev. 15:6⁶And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. (Revelation 15:6)); of luxury (Luke 16:19¹⁹There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: (Luke 16:19)).

“Flax (Pishtah, λίνον)” From Concise Bible Dictionary:

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Wild Flax – Linum Bienne

The common plant from which linen is made (Ex. 9:31³¹And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. (Exodus 9:31); Josh. 2:6⁶But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. (Joshua 2:6); Prov. 31:13¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (Proverbs 31:13); Isa. 42:3³A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. (Isaiah 42:3); Ezek. 40:3³And 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. (Ezekiel 40:3); Hos. 2:5, 9⁵For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink. (Hosea 2:5)
⁹Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. (Hosea 2:9); Matt. 12:20²⁰A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (Matthew 12:20)).

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Dried Flax

“Linen” From Concise Bible Dictionary:

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Linen

Various Hebrew and Greek words are translated “linen,” and there can be no doubt that linen made of flax was known in ancient Egypt and to the Israelites; but cloths generally are called “linen” whether made of cotton or flax, some being distinguished as “fine linen,” such as was worn by the priests, kings. The word shesh, often translated “fine linen” and “fine twined linen” (for the curtains of the tabernacle, etc.) signifies “whiteness,” and is applicable to both fine linen and cotton (Ex. 26:1,31¹Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. (Exodus 26:1)
³¹And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: (Exodus 26:31)). Joseph was arrayed in “vestures of fine linen” (Gen. 41:42⁴²And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; (Genesis 41:42)). The wrappings on the ancient Egyptian mummies were for a long time judged to be cotton, but by the use of the microscope they have been discovered to be linen.

Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:

Number:

6593 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Transliteration:

pishteh

Phonic:

pish-teh’

Meaning:

from the same as 6580 as in the sense of comminuting; linen (i.e. the thread, as carded)

KJV Usage:

flax, linen