Topical Encyclopedia
Tow is a term used in the Bible to refer to the short, coarse fibers of flax or hemp, which are separated from the finer fibers during the process of preparing these plants for spinning. In biblical times, tow was a byproduct of the process of making linen, a common fabric in ancient Israel and surrounding regions.
Biblical ReferencesThe term "tow" appears in several passages in the Bible, often symbolizing fragility or something easily destroyed. One notable reference is found in the Book of Judges, where the strength of Samson is described in a metaphor involving tow.
Judges 16:9 states, "With men hidden in the room, she called to him, 'Samson, the Philistines are upon you!' But he snapped the bowstrings like a strand of yarn snaps when it touches a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered." Here, the comparison to tow emphasizes the ease with which Samson broke free, highlighting his God-given strength.
Another reference is found in
Isaiah 1:31 , which uses tow metaphorically to describe the fate of the wicked: "The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames." In this context, tow represents something that is easily consumed by fire, illustrating the swift and complete destruction that awaits those who turn away from God.
Symbolism and InterpretationIn biblical symbolism, tow often represents weakness, impermanence, and the ease with which something can be destroyed. This imagery is used to convey spiritual truths about the nature of human strength and the consequences of sin. The fragility of tow serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human endeavors apart from God and the ultimate futility of relying on one's own strength.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Israel, flax was a significant agricultural product, and the process of making linen was well-known. The separation of tow from the finer fibers was a common task, and the imagery would have been familiar to the original audience of the biblical texts. The use of tow in biblical metaphors would have resonated with the people, providing a vivid picture of the concepts being conveyed.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the use of tow in Scripture underscores the importance of relying on God's strength rather than human abilities. It serves as a caution against pride and self-reliance, reminding believers of the need for humility and dependence on divine power. The imagery of tow being easily consumed by fire also points to the reality of divine judgment and the necessity of repentance and faithfulness to God.
In summary, tow in the Bible is a powerful symbol of fragility and the ease with which human strength can be overcome. It serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on God and the consequences of turning away from His ways.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
Judges 16:9). See FLAX.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The coarse and broken part of flax or hemp, separated from the finer part by the hatchel or swingle.
2. (v. t.) To draw or pull through the water, as a vessel of any kind, by means of a rope.
3. (n.) A rope by which anything is towed; a towline, or towrope.
4. (n.) The act of towing, or the state of being towed; --chiefly used in the phrase, to take in tow, that is to tow.
5. (v. t.) That which is towed, or drawn by a towline, as a barge, raft, collection of boats, etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TOWto (ne`oreth (Judges 16:9Isaiah 1:31)): The coarser part of flax, with short threads, used as an example of easily inflammable material. AlsoIsaiah 43:17 the King James Version for pishtah, the usual word for "flax" (so the English Revised Version), here as used for a wick (so the American Standard Revised Version, the English Revised Version margin).
Greek
5026. taute and tauten and tautes -- her... taute and tauten and tautes. 5027 . her. Transliteration: taute and tauten and
tautes Phonetic Spelling: (
tow'-tay) Short Definition: her. Word Origin dat., acc
...5025. tautais and tautas -- hence, that, then, these, those.
... hence, that, then, these, those. Transliteration: tautais and tautas Phonetic Spelling:
(tow'-taheece) Short Definition: hence. Word Origin dat. and acc. fem....
5022. tauros -- a bull
... a bull. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tauros Phonetic Spelling:
(tow'-ros) Short Definition: a bull, an ox Definition: a bull, an ox....
4957. sustauroo -- to crucify together with
... to crucify together with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sustauroo Phonetic
Spelling: (soos-tow-ro'-o) Short Definition: I crucify together with...
5024. tauta -- even thus, so.
... 5023, 5024. tauta. 5025 . even thus, so. Transliteration: tauta Phonetic Spelling:
(tow-tah') Short Definition: so. Word Origin variant reading from contr....
5023. tauta -- this; he, she, it
... 5022, 5023. tauta. 5024 . this; he, she, it. Transliteration: tauta Phonetic
Spelling: (tow'-tah) Short Definition: this. Word Origin nom. or acc. neut. pl...
388. anastauroo -- to crucify again
... to crucify again. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anastauroo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-as-tow-ro'-o) Short Definition: I crucify again Definition: I impede...
Strong's Hebrew
5296. neoreth --tow (for making thread)... 5295, 5296. neoreth. 5297 .
tow (for making thread). Transliteration: neoreth
Phonetic Spelling: (neh-o'-reth) Short Definition: tinder.
...tow.
...6594. pishtah -- flax
... flax,tow. Feminine of pishteh; flax; by implication, a wick -- flax,tow. see HEBREW
pishteh. 6593, 6594. pishtah. 6595 . Strong's Numbers.
8305. sariq -- carded or combed
... fine. From the same as soreq in the original sense of piercing; hetchelling (or
combing flax), ie (concretely)tow (by extension, linen cloth) -- fine....
Library
Tow Smeared with Pitch.
... Book IX. Chapter X."Tow Smeared with Pitch. "But what, it is said, of
the fact that some who in their childhood are free from...
What Sin Does to Men
... And the strong shall be astow, and His work as a spark; and they shall both burn
together, and none shall quench them.'"Isaiah 1:30-31.... 'Astow' or tinder....
Two Young Men.
... are His. The LittleTow-Headed Norwegian. I remember... young men. Well, in that
meeting a littletow-headed Norwegian boy stood up. He could...
The Burning ??sculapius; Tricks with Fire.
... the magician pours out [252] a libation, by having lime instead of ashes burning
underneath, and refined frankincense and a large quantity oftow, [253] and a...
The Last Exile
... Tide and wind were against them; the monks had to land andtow the boat; progress
was slow, and the soldiers of Julian were not far off....
Essay iv. The Generous Spirit, Who, when Brought among the Tasks...
... Captain Ball, however, brought his vessel at length to Nelson's assistance, took
his ship intow, and used his best endeavours to bring her and his own vessel...
He Careth for Thee.
... It gnaws at the very vitals of the soul. A strong cable made of many fine wires
was stretched across the river and was used totow a heavy scow back and forth....
Cast Your Eye Round the Room in which You Sit...
... them might even be practical. He couldtow a boat or lasso a horse. He could
play cat's-cradle, or pick oakum. He could construct a...
Isaiah's Discourse
... no water. And the strong shall be astow, and his work as a spark; and
they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them....
The Voyage and Shipwreck
... The lifeboat, their only means of escape in case the ship should founder,
was intow and liable to be dashed in pieces any moment....
Thesaurus
Tow (3 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) The act of towing, or the state of being towed; --chiefly used in the phrase,
to take in
tow, that is to
tow.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TOW.
...Flax (11 Occurrences)
... flax," literally, "flax of the tree," put on the roof to dry (Joshua 2:6); (3) to
the fine fibers used for lighting: the King James Version "tow," "flax," the...
Taw (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Tow. 2. (vt) To push; to tug; totow. 3. (vt)
To prepare or dress, as hemp, by beating; to tew; hence, to beat; to scourge....
Boats (11 Occurrences)
... The calkers were those who filled up seams or cracks in the timbers withtow and
covered them over with tar or wax, after the manner of the instruction given...
Ships (46 Occurrences)
... The calkers were those who filled up seams or cracks in the timbers withtow and
covered them over with tar or wax, after the manner of the instruction given...
Quenching (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 1:31 And the strong hath been fortow, And his work for a spark, And burned
have both of them together, And there is none quenching! (YLT)....
Link (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A torch made oftow and pitch, or the
like. 2. (n.) A single ring or division of a chain. 3. (n...
Liers-in-wait (10 Occurrences)
... And she said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he brake the
withes, as a string oftow is broken when it toucheth the fire....
Withes (3 Occurrences)
... And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the
withes, as a thread oftow is broken when it toucheth the fire....
Warp (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To weave; to fabricate. 5. (vt) Totow or move, as a vessel, with a line,
or warp, attached to a buoy, anchor, or other fixed object....
Resources
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