פִּשְׁתָּה
flax; by implication, a wick
Definition
The Hebrew word פִּשְׁתָּה (pishtâh) primarily refers to the flax plant, a key agricultural crop cultivated for its fibers. These fibers were processed to produce linen cloth, a valuable textile in the ancient world. By extension, the word can also denote a 'wick' made from flax, as seen in Isaiah 42:3, where a dimly burning flax wick symbolizes fragile hope. In its agricultural sense, it describes the state of the crop, such as when the flax was in bloom (Exodus 9:31).
Biblical Usage
This noun occurs only three times in the Old Testament, each highlighting a different aspect. In Exodus 9:31, it is used agriculturally, noting the flax was in bloom when struck by hail. In Isaiah 42:3, it appears metaphorically as a 'smoking flax' or dim wick, representing the fragile and meek whom the Servant will not extinguish. Finally, in Isaiah 43:17, it is part of the phrase 'wick' (translated as 'tow') that is quenched, symbolizing the defeated enemies of God.
Etymology
פִּשְׁתָּה (pishtâh) is the feminine form of the masculine noun פִּשְׁתֶּה (pishteh, H6593), which also means 'flax.' Both derive from a common Semitic root related to flax and linen. The feminine form is the one typically used in Biblical Hebrew. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Akkadian, indicating the widespread importance of this crop in the ancient Near East.
Semantic Range
While primarily a material object, פִּשְׁתָּה gains theological significance in the prophecies of Isaiah. In Isaiah 42:3, the 'smoking flax' (a dim wick) becomes a powerful metaphor for God's gentle, sustaining grace towards the weak and discouraged, a key attribute of the Messiah's ministry. This enriches our reading by showing God's care for the fragile and His commitment to nurture rather than crush faint faith.
Flax was a vital economic crop in ancient Israel, grown for linen production. The process from plant to cloth was labor-intensive, involving harvesting, retting (soaking), drying, and beating the stalks to extract the fibers. Linen was used for priestly garments (Exodus 28:42), sails, and high-quality clothing. The 'wick' reference connects to everyday life, as lamps typically used wicks made from flax fibers. Understanding this highlights the word's tangible connection to daily industry and domestic life.
פִּשְׁתֶּה (pishteh, H6593) — The masculine form of the same word, also meaning 'flax.'; בַּד (bad, H905) — Often translated 'linen,' referring to the cloth produced from flax.; שֵׁשׁ (shesh, H8336) — A fine, white linen, often used for priestly garments.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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