LINEN
Annual textile plant of the linaceae family; It measures around 50 cm. Tall. The Egyptians planted it in November and harvested it about four months later. The stalks were left to dry in the sun (Josh. 2:6).
Its woody fiber gave very fine fibers that, after a maceration process, could be carded, combed, spun and woven (Is. 19:9; Pr. 31:13). The grains are used to obtain linseed oil, widely used in paint.
The plant mentioned in the Bible is cultivated flax (“Linum usitatissimum”), the only one known today.
The Hebrew word. “pisheteh” (Gr. “linon”) can designate the plant (Ex. 9:31) or the linen fabric (Lev. 13:47; Deut. 22:11).
It was the material from which priestly vestments, turbans, breeches and belts were made (Ez. 44:17-18). The heb. “bad” seems to apply only to clothing, e.g. e.g., to the tunic of the child Samuel (1 Sam. 2:18), to the clothing of the priests of Nob (1 Sam. 22:18), of David dancing before the ark (2 Sam. 6:14).
The word “shesh” (white) is generally translated as “fine linen.” Joseph was clothed in this fine linen by order of Pharaoh (Gen. 41:42); it is frequently used from the fabrics of the tabernacle (Ex. 26:1, 31, 36; 27:9, 16, 18); It is part of the high priest’s vestments (Ex. 28:4-5, 39; 39:27-29).
The Wife of the Lamb will appear dressed in fine linen, clean and shining (Rev. 19:8). Because of her whiteness, she represents “the righteous actions of the saints.”