Lexical Summary
qaneh: Reed, stalk, branch, measuring rod
Original Word:קָנֶה
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:qaneh
Pronunciation:kah-neh'
Phonetic Spelling:(kaw-neh')
KJV: balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, X spearman, stalk
NASB:branches, rod, reed, branch, reeds, cane, reeds by the reed
Word Origin:[fromH7069 (קָנָה - buy)]
1. a reed (as erect)
2. by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
balance, bone, branch, cane, reed, spearman, stalk
Fromqanah; a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard) -- balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, X spearman, stalk.
see HEBREWqanah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitiona stalk, reed
NASB Translationbranch (4), branches (18), calamus (1), cane (2), elbow (1), reed (5), reed...reeds (1), reeds (4), reeds by the reed (2), reeds with the reed (2), rod (11), scale (1), shaft (2), stalk (2), sweet cane (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
62Genesis 41:5 ; — absolute
1 Kings 14:5 +; construct
Ezekiel 40:3 +; suffix
Exodus 25:31;
Exodus 37:17 = (Ges
§ 91e)
Job 31:22; plural
Exodus 25:32 +; construct
Exodus 37:18 +; suffix
Exodus 25:36;
Exodus 37:22; —
stalk of grainGenesis 41:5,22 (E).
water-plant, reed,1 Kings 14:15;Isaiah 19:6 ( + ),Isaiah 35:7 (+ ); collective,Psalm 68:31beasts of (the) reeds (dwelling among them), compareJob 40:21;2 Kings 18:21=Isaiah 36:6,Ezekiel 29:6, all figurative of weak support; compareIsaiah 42:3 (spared by ).
calamus, aromatic reed,Jeremiah 6:20 (Ges §126 w), ,Exodus 30:23(P); aloneEzekiel 27:19;Isaiah 43:24; ctIsaiah 4:14.
measuring-rod,Ezekiel 40:3,5 (6 cubits long, see )Ezekiel 42:16 (twice in verse);Ezekiel 42:17,18,19.
,reed (of 6 cubits, as Assyrian‡anû)Ezekiel 40:5 (twice in verse) + 10 t. 40,42, +Ezekiel 41:8full reed (emphatic).
.beam of scales, for scales themselvesIsaiah 46:6.
shaft of lamp-standExodus 25:31=Exodus 37:17 (P).
branches thereof,Exodus 25:32 (3 t. in verse) =Exodus 37:18 (3 t. in verse) +16 t. 25, 37 (all P).
shoulder-joint,Job 31:22("" ).
Topical Lexicon
Botanical and Material IdentityThe word denotes a hollow, jointed reed that grows in marshy soil along the Nile, the Jordan, and the Mediterranean coast. Straight, light, and of fairly uniform length, it supplied the ancient world with shafts, pens, stems, wicks, walking sticks, and—most significantly for Scripture—measuring rods and branches for crafted objects.
Occurrences in the Old Testament
About sixty-two verses employ the term. Usage falls naturally into five main groups:
• central shaft or branches of the lampstand (Exodus 25; 37)
• sweet-smelling cane among spices (Exodus 30:23;Song of Solomon 4:14;Isaiah 43:24;Jeremiah 6:20)
• measuring rod for the visionary temple (Ezekiel 40–48)
• literal or metaphorical reeds of riverbanks and wetlands (Genesis 41:5, 22;Job 8:11;Isaiah 19:6;Job 40:21–22;Psalm 68:30)
• emblem of weakness or instability (1 Kings 14:15;2 Kings 18:21;Isaiah 36:6; 42:3; 58:5)
Reed-Shaped Lampstand
In the tabernacle blueprint the term designates both the central shaft and the six lateral arms of the Menorah (Exodus 25:31-35; 37:17-22). Fashioned of pure gold yet described with plant imagery, the lampstand resembled a flowering reed. The design links light with life, suggesting that illumination for worship arises from the living presence of God rather than mechanical artifice.
Sweet Cane in Worship
“Five hundred shekels of fragrant cane” (Exodus 30:23) were blended into the holy anointing oil. Its costly aroma signified consecration and joy. The same spice appears among Solomon’s garden fragrances (Song of Solomon 4:14). Later prophets indict Israel for bringing cane without true devotion (Isaiah 43:24) or importing it vainly from Sheba (Jeremiah 6:20). Thus the reed becomes a test of sincerity in worship: outward expense does not substitute for an obedient heart.
Measuring Rod of the Visionary Temple
Ezekiel’s guide “had a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand” (Ezekiel 40:3). The six-cubit reed sets the dimensions of gates, courts, and walls (40:5; 41:8; 42:16-20; 43:13; 45:1-6; 48:16-17). The humble plant is elevated as the standard of God’s perfect order, foreshadowing the later vision ofRevelation 11:1; 21:15. The lesson is clear: true worship and community life must be laid out by divine measure, not human innovation.
Symbol of Weakness and False Trust
A reed bends, splinters, and pierces the hand that leans on it. Egypt, the perennial temptation for political alliance, is labeled “that broken reed of a staff” (2 Kings 18:21;Isaiah 36:6; cf.Ezekiel 29:6-7). Israel is warned that worldly powers cannot bear covenant weight. Similarly, God will “strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water” when the nation persists in sin (1 Kings 14:15).
Gentleness of the Servant-Messiah
Against this backdrop of fragility Isaiah prophesies, “A bruised reed He will not break” (Isaiah 42:3, applied to Jesus inMatthew 12:20). The image portrays the Messiah’s compassion toward the damaged and helpless. Where oppressive rulers snap reeds, the Servant upholds them, hinting at His healing ministry and at the gospel’s restorative power.
Reed Imagery in Repentance and Worship
Isaiah 58:5 rebukes hypocritical fasting that merely “bows one’s head like a reed.” Superficial humility cannot replace acts of justice and mercy (58:6-7). The picture presses believers to move from symbolic gestures to substantive obedience.
Historical Background
Archaeology confirms reed cubits in Egypt and Mesopotamia; the typical length (about three metres) matches Ezekiel’s rod. Papyrus boats on the Nile and reed‐roofed huts along the Jordan illustrate the plant’s versatility. Yet Scripture consistently draws spiritual lessons from this ordinary material, showing that God uses commonplace things to reveal eternal truths.
Ministry Implications
• Worship must be both fragrant (heartfelt) and measured (ordered by God’s word).
• Dependence on worldly strength is as dangerous as leaning on a broken reed.
• Pastoral ministry models the Servant’s tenderness: preserve the bruised, reignite the smoldering.
• The lampstand’s reed-like form reminds the church that its light grows organically from the life of Christ.
Key References for Study
Genesis 41:5, 22;Exodus 25:31-35; 30:23; 37:17-22;1 Kings 14:15;2 Kings 18:21;Job 8:11;Psalm 68:30;Song of Solomon 4:14;Isaiah 19:6; 36:6; 42:3; 43:24; 58:5;Jeremiah 6:20;Ezekiel 29:6-7; 40:3-5; 42:16-20; 43:13; 45:1-6; 48:16-17.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּקָנֶ֥ה בִּקְנֵ֣ה בִּקְנֵ֥ה בַּקָּנֶ֣ה בַּקָּנֶ֥ה בקנה הַקָּנִ֔ים הַקָּנִ֖ים הַקָּנִ֜ים הַקָּנִים֙ הַקָּנֶ֔ה הַקָּנֶ֨ה הַקָּנֶה֮ הקנה הקנים וְקָנֶ֔ה וְקָנֶ֤ה וְקָנֶ֥ה וְקָנָ֔הּ וּקְנֵ֣ה וּקְנֵה־ וּקְנֹתָ֖ם וקנה וקנה־ וקנתם לְקָנֶ֥ה לקנה מִקָּנָ֥ה מקנה קְנֵ֣ה קְנֵ֣י קָנִ֔ים קָנִ֖ים קָנִ֛ים קָנֶ֔ה קָנֶ֖ה קָנֶ֡ה קָנֶ֣ה קָנֶ֤ה קָנֶ֥ה קָנֶ֨ה קָנֶה֙ קנה קני קנים bakkaNeh baq·qā·neh baqqāneh bə·qā·neh bekaNeh bəqāneh bikNeh biq·nêh biqnêh hakkaNeh hakkaNim haq·qā·neh haq·qā·nîm haqqāneh haqqānîm kaNeh kaNim keNeh keNei lə·qā·neh lekaNeh ləqāneh mikkaNah miq·qā·nāh miqqānāh qā·neh qā·nîm qāneh qānîm qə·nê qə·nêh qənê qənêh ū·qə·nêh ū·qə·nêh- ū·qə·nō·ṯām ukeneh ukenoTam ūqənêh ūqənêh- ūqənōṯām vekaNah vekaNeh wə·qā·nāh wə·qā·neh wəqānāh wəqāneh
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