extensively cultivated both in Egypt and Palestine. Reference is made in
Joshua 2:6 to the custom of drying flax-stalks by exposing them to the sun
on the flat roofs of houses. It was much used in forming articles of clothing
such as girdles, also cords and bands (Leviticus 13:48, 52, 59;
Deuteronomy 22:11). (See LINEN.)
- FLEA David at the cave of Adullam thus addressed his persecutor Saul (1
Samuel 24:14): “After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom
dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?” He thus speaks of himself
as the poor, contemptible object of the monarch’s pursuit, a “worthy
object truly for an expedition of the king of Israel with his picked troops!”
This insect is in Eastern language the popular emblem of insignificance. In
1 Samuel 26:20 the LXX. read “come out to seek my life” instead of “to
seek a flea.” - FLEECE the wool of a sheep, whether shorn off or still attached to the
skin (Deuteronomy 18:4; Job 31:20). The miracle of Gideon’s fleece
(Judges 6:37-40) consisted in the dew having fallen at one time on the
fleece without any on the floor, and at another time in the fleece remaining
dry while the ground was wet with dew. - FLESH in the Old Testament denotes (1) a particular part of the body of
man and animals (Genesis 2:21; 41:2; Psalm 102:5, marg.); (2) the whole
body (Psalm 16:9); (3) all living things having flesh, and particularly
humanity as a whole (Genesis 6:12, 13); (4) mutability and weakness (2
Chronicles 32:8; comp. Isaiah 31:3; Psalm 78:39). As suggesting the idea of
softness it is used in the expression “heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19). The
expression “my flesh and bone” (Judges 9:2; Isaiah 58:7) denotes
relationship.
In the New Testament, besides these it is also used to denote the sinful
element of human nature as opposed to the “Spirit” (Romans 6:19;
Matthew 16:17). Being “in the flesh” means being unrenewed (Romans
7:5; 8:8, 9), and to live “according to the flesh” is to live and act sinfully
(Romans 8:4, 5, 7, 12).
This word also denotes the human nature of Christ (John 1:14, “The Word
was made flesh.” Comp. also 1 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:3).
- FLESH-HOOK a many-pronged fork used in the sacrificial services (1
Samuel 2:13, 14; Exodus 27:3; 38:3) by the priest in drawing away the