Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Description:The term "cane" in the Bible typically refers to a type of reed or plant known for its tall, slender, and flexible characteristics. In biblical times, canes were often used for various practical purposes, including construction, writing instruments, and measuring tools. The Hebrew word "qaneh" is commonly translated as "cane" or "reed" in English translations of the Bible.
Biblical References:1.
Symbol of Measurement and Judgment: In the prophetic literature, the cane or reed is often used as a symbol of measurement and judgment. For instance, in Ezekiel's vision of the new temple, a measuring reed is employed to delineate the dimensions of the temple.
Ezekiel 40:3 states, "He brought me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand, and he was standing in the gateway."
2.
Material for Writing: Reeds were also used to make writing instruments in the ancient world. While the Bible does not explicitly mention the use of reeds for writing, historical context suggests that they were commonly used for this purpose, especially in the production of scrolls and papyrus documents.
3.
Symbol of Weakness and Fragility: The cane or reed is sometimes used metaphorically to represent weakness or fragility. In
2 Kings 18:21 , the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a broken reed to describe the unreliable support of Egypt: "Now look, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him."
4.
Reference in the New Testament: In the New Testament, the reed is mentioned in the context of Jesus' crucifixion. The soldiers mockingly placed a reed in Jesus' hand as a scepter, symbolizing a king's authority, and then used it to strike Him.
Matthew 27:29-30 recounts, "And they twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and put a staff in His right hand. They knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' Then they spat on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly."
5.
Aromatic Cane: The Bible also refers to an aromatic cane, likely a fragrant plant used in sacred anointing oils and incense. In
Exodus 30:23 , God instructs Moses to use "sweet-smelling cane" as part of the holy anointing oil: "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane."
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, reeds and canes were abundant along riverbanks and marshy areas, making them readily available for various uses. Their flexibility and strength made them suitable for crafting baskets, mats, and even simple musical instruments. The aromatic varieties were highly valued for their fragrance and were often imported from distant lands, indicating their significance in trade and religious practices.
Theological Significance:The use of cane in the Bible carries both practical and symbolic meanings. It serves as a reminder of human frailty and the need for divine strength, as well as the importance of accurate judgment and measurement in spiritual matters. The aromatic cane's inclusion in sacred rituals underscores the value of purity and holiness in worship.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Cane[REED]
ATS Bible Dictionary
CaneOrCALAMUS, SWEET, So 4:14, an aromatic reed mentioned among the drugs of which the sacred perfumes were compounded,Exodus 30:23. The true odoriferous calamus or grass came from India; and the prophets speak of it as a foreign commodity of great value,Isaiah 43:24Jeremiah 6:20Ezekiel 27:19.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A tall sedgy plant with a hollow stem, growing in moist places. In Isaiah 43:24;
Jeremiah 6:20, the Hebrew word kaneh is thus rendered, giving its name to the plant. It is rendered "reed" in
1 Kings 14:15;
Job 40:21;
Isaiah 19:6;
35:7. In
Psalm 68:30 the expression "company of spearmen" is in the margin and the Revised Version "beasts of the reeds," referring probably to the crocodile or the hippopotamus as a symbol of Egypt. In
2 Kings 18:21;
Isaiah 36:6;
Ezek. 29:6, 7, the reference is to the weak, fragile nature of the reed. (see
CALAMUS.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A name given to several peculiar palms, species of Calamus and Daemanorops, having very long, smooth flexible stems, commonly called rattans.
2. (n.) Any plant with long, hard, elastic stems, as reeds and bamboos of many kinds; also, the sugar cane.
3. (n.) Stems of other plants are sometimes called canes; as, the canes of a raspberry.
4. (n.) A walking stick; a staff; -- so called because originally made of one the species of cane.
5. (n.) A lance or dart made of cane.
6. (n.) A local European measure of length. See Canna.
7. (v. t.) To beat with a cane.
8. (v. t.) To make or furnish with cane or rattan; as, to cane chairs.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CANEkan.
SeeREED.
SWEET CANE
swet kan.
SeeREED.
Greek
4464. rhabdos -- a staff, rod... rod, scepter, staff. From the base of rhapizo; a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a
cane or a baton of royalty) -- rod, sceptre, staff. see GREEK rhapizo.
...Strong's Hebrew
7070. qaneh -- a stalk, reed... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a stalk, reed NASB Word Usage branch
(4), branches (18), calamus (1),
cane (2), elbow (1), reed (5), reed...reeds (1
...Library
San Josef
... Most of these paddocks have, I believe, been undercane cultivation at some time
or other; and have been thrown into grass during the period of depression...
Law and Grace.
... He had a goodcane and it was frequently in use.... I thought thecane was
coming out again; and I was going to protest against it....
The Elf
... "I was standing beside a very naughty little girl, and the teacher meant tocane
her, but thecane fell on me by mistake.... "I found thiscane myself....
Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs.
... A man attached to the palace, who happened to be standing by, thrust acane which
he held in his hand into the orifice; and on withdrawing thecane he held it...
Answers to Prayer
... together irregularly. Her hip-joint was stiff, so that she was never able
to walk without the support of acane or crutch. For eight...
Forgiveness
... I thought of that passage last Thursday night, while I was preaching: "Thou hast
bought me no sweetcane with money." God needeth nothing at your hands, but he...
The Second Awakening.
... For in the spring of the next year Barton Warren Stone, a Presbyterian minister
serving his two congregations of Concord andCane Ridge in Bourbon County, and...
A Provision Ground
... And yet one must ask, regretfully, are there no other cultures save that ofcane
which will yield a fair, even an ample, return, to men of small capital and...
The Northern Mountains
... We started, then (to begin my story), a little after five one morning, from a solid
old mansion in thecane-fields, which bears the name of Paradise, and which...
A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... the island during the long drought of this summer; when the forests were burning
for a whole month, and this house scarcely saved; when wholecane-fields, mills...
Thesaurus
Cane (11 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Any plant with long, hard, elastic stems, as reeds and bamboos of many kinds;
also, the sugar
cane.
... 5. (n.) A lance or dart made of
cane.
...Spice-cane (1 Occurrence)
Spice-cane. Spice, Spice-cane. Spice-cinnamon . Multi-Version
Concordance Spice-cane (1 Occurrence). Exodus 30:23 And...
Reed (41 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews kaneh (1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isaiah 19:6), whence the Gr. kanna,
a "cane," a generic name for a reed of any kind.... (seeCANE.)....
Calamus (5 Occurrences)
... The Latin forcane, Hebrew Kaneh, mentioned (Exodus 30:23) as one of the ingredients
in the holy anointing oil, one of the sweet scents (Cant.... (seeCANE.)....
Balance (12 Occurrences)
... Occurs in Leviticus 19:36 and Isaiah 46:6, as the rendering of the Hebrew kanch',
which properly means "a reed" or "acane," then a rod or beam of a balance....
Spice-cinnamon (1 Occurrence)
Spice-cinnamon. Spice-cane, Spice-cinnamon. Spiced . Multi-Version Concordance...
Spice-cane, Spice-cinnamon. Spiced . Reference Bible.
Sour (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Matthew 27:48 One of them ran forthwith, and filling a sponge with sour wine
put it on the end of acane and offered it Him to drink; (WEY NAS)....
Canker (4 Occurrences)
Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)
Spice (25 Occurrences)
Resources
How did Cain die? What happened to Cain? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the phrase raising Cain? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Cain in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCane: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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