Flax

Flax was grown in Egypt and Canaan for its fibers, which were spun into linen, the cool, bright cloth of priests and kings. When the plague of hail struck Egypt, 'the flax and the barley was smitten.' Rahab hid the two spies 'with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof,' probably drying for spinning, and the virtuous woman of Proverbs 'seeketh wool, and flax.' Isaiah promised that God's Servant would not quench 'the smoking flax,' the flickering wick of a lamp about to go out, and Matthew applies the words to Jesus' gentleness with the weak.

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Strongest connections in Scripture

Joshua 2 Isaiah 42

Key Passages

Hidden Under the Flax

Joshua 2:1-6

Rahab risks her life to hide Israel's spies under the flax drying on her roof.

A¹nd Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

² And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. ³ And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. ⁴ And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: ⁵ And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. ⁶ 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.

The Smoking Flax

Isaiah 42:1-3

God's chosen Servant will not snuff out a faint, flickering faith but bring forth justice in truth.

B¹ehold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

² He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. ³ A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.