Tow

Tow is the rough, short fibre left when flax is combed, and the Bible uses it to show how easily something weak gives way. When Samson was bound with withs, he “brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire.” The gentler image comes from Isaiah, picked up by Matthew: “a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench.” Flax also appears in Proverbs 31, among the materials a capable woman works with her hands. Judges 16 and Isaiah 42 are the passages to read.

6 verses

Judges

Judges 16:9

Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.

Esther

Esther 1:16

And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

Proverbs

Proverbs 31:13

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Isaiah

Isaiah 19:6

And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.

Isaiah 42:3

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Matthew

Matthew 12:20

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

(Judg. 16:9). See FLAX.