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This plant, used to make linen fabric, grows about one meter or three feet high. It has pale blue flowers. The stem is yellowish. Some believe that the manufacture of linen began in India. Spinning was anciently done by women of noble birth.
Rahab used flax to conceal Joshua's spies. An ancient textile, it was very important to the culture of Egypt especially. Not only is linen made from it, but the oil of the root is expressed and added to cattle feed (Walker). Making linen is a lengthy process. The plant is pulled up by the roots, dried flat on the housetops according to Joshua 2:6, and then the stems are soaked in water until the outer portion decays. Next flax is split and combed so that threads separate and peel away from the stalk. This process is called retting. Finer threads made the best linen. Moses wrote of fine Egyptian linen.
Flax was twisted for use as lamp wicks. (Isaiah 42:3)
Exodus 9:31 (KJV) And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
Joshua 2:6 (KJV) But 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.
Judges 15:14 (KJV) And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
Proverbs 31:13 (KJV) She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Isaiah 19:9 (KJV) Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.
Isaiah 42:3 (KJV) A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Ezekiel 40:3 (KJV) 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.
Hosea 2:5 (KJV) For 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 2:9 (KJV) Therefore 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.
Matthew 12:20 (KJV) A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
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