Smith's Bible Dictionary

(Frankie) #1

1:15 Which was larger, and required the use of a boat. The latter was probably most used on the
Sea of Galilee, as the number of boats kept on it was very considerable.
Fitches
(i.e. VETCHES), without doubt the Nigella sativa, an herbaceous annual plant belonging to the
natural order Ranunculaceoe (the buttercup family), which grows in the south of Europe and in the
north of Africa. Its black seeds are used like pepper, and have almost as pungent a taste. The Syrians
sprinkle these seeds over their flat cakes before they are baked. [SEE Rye]
Flag
There are two Hebrew words rendered “flag” in our Bible:
•A word of Egyptian origin, and denoting “any green and course herbage, such as rushes and reeds,
which grows in marshy places.” (Genesis 41:2,18) (here translated meadow). It is perhaps the
Cyperus esculentus.
•A word which appears to be used in a very wide sense to denote “weeds of any kind.” (Exodus
2:3,5; Isaiah 19:6)
Flagon
a word employed in the Authorized Version to render two distinct Hebrew terms:
•Ashishah, (2 Samuel 6:19; 1 Chronicles 16:3; Song of Solomon 2:5; Hosea 3:1) It really means a
cake of pressed raisins. Such cakes were considered as delicacies; they were also offered to idols.
•Nebel, (Isaiah 22:24) is commonly used for a bottle or vessel, originally probably a skin, but in
later times a piece of pottery. (Isaiah 30:14)
Flax
a well-known plant with yellowish stem and bright-blue flowers. Its fibres are employed in the
manufacture of linen. The root contains an oil, and after the oil is expressed is sued as a food for
cattle. Egypt was celebrated for the culture of flax and the manufacture of linen. The spinning was
anciently done by women of noble birth. It seems probable that the cultivation of flax for the purpose
of the manufacture of linen was by no means confined to Egypt, but that, originating in India, it
spread over Asia at a very early period of antiquity. That it was grown in Palestine even before the
conquest of that country by the Israelites appears from (Joshua 2:6) The various processes employed
in preparing the flax for manufacture into cloth are indicated:
•The drying process.
•The peeling of the stalks and separation of the fibres.
•The hackling. (Isaiah 19:9) That flax was one of the most important crops in Palestine appears
from (Hosea 2:5,9)
Flea
an insect but twice mentioned in Scripture, viz., in (1 Samuel 24:14; 26:20) Fleas are abundant
in the East, and afford the subject of many proverbial expressions.
Flesh
[Flood]
Flint
a well-known stone, a variety of quartz. It is extremely hard, and strikes fire. It was very abundant
in and about Palestine.
Flood
[Noah]
Floor

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