August 06, 2009

Ancient Egytian Linen Manufacture

I was reading the book of Isaiah and came across this phrase: "the manufacturers of linen made from combed flax/And the weavers of white cloth." The phrase is in Is 19:9, NASB, in a passage describing Egypt under a Pharaoh; he gets a mention in verse 11.

I think the description is interesting in its specificity. Not just flax but combed flax; not just cloth but white cloth.

The description is also interesting because, in context of the whole passage, it identifies Ancient Egypt so strongly with linen manufacture and also with the Nile (verses 5-8) just like we do today. Isaiah wrote in the eight century B.C.E.

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