Topical Encyclopedia
Reeds are a type of tall, slender plant commonly found in marshy or wetland areas. In biblical times, reeds were prevalent in the regions surrounding the Nile River, the Jordan River, and other bodies of water in the Near East. They held significant practical and symbolic importance in the biblical narrative.
Hebrew and Greek TermsIn the Hebrew Bible, the word for reed is "קָנֶה" (qaneh), which can refer to a reed or a measuring rod. In the New Testament, the Greek term "κάλαμος" (kalamos) is used, which also denotes a reed or a writing pen.
Biblical References and Symbolism1.
Construction and Everyday Use: Reeds were used in the construction of baskets, mats, and even boats. The most famous biblical account involving reeds is the account of Moses' infancy. His mother placed him in a basket made of reeds and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (
Exodus 2:3). This highlights the practical use of reeds in daily life.
2.
Symbol of Frailty and Weakness: Reeds often symbolize fragility and instability. In
2 Kings 18:21, the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a broken reed to describe the unreliability of relying on Egypt for support: "Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it."
3.
Measuring Rod: Reeds were also used as measuring rods. In Ezekiel's vision of the new temple, a reed is used to measure the dimensions of the temple (
Ezekiel 40:3-5). This use underscores the reed's role in precision and order.
4.
Symbol of Justice and Mercy: In the New Testament, Jesus refers to a prophecy from Isaiah, "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish" (
Matthew 12:20). This passage emphasizes Christ's gentle and compassionate nature, highlighting His approach to justice and mercy.
5.
Mockery of Christ: During the crucifixion, a reed was used to mock Jesus. The soldiers placed a reed in His hand as a scepter, mocking His claim to kingship (
Matthew 27:29-30). This act of mockery fulfilled the prophecy and highlighted the suffering and humiliation Christ endured.
Cultural and Historical ContextReeds were abundant in the ancient Near East, particularly in the marshlands of Egypt and the Jordan Valley. They were an essential resource for the people, providing materials for various aspects of daily life. The imagery of reeds in the Bible often draws on their physical characteristics—flexibility, fragility, and utility—to convey deeper spiritual truths.
ConclusionReeds in the Bible serve as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the practical aspects of ancient life and deeper spiritual truths. They illustrate themes of fragility, reliance, justice, and mercy, woven throughout the biblical narrative.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PAPER REEDSredz: InIsaiah 19:7 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "meadows").
Strong's Hebrew
5488. suph --reeds, rushes... 5487, 5488. suph. 5489 .
reeds, rushes. Transliteration: suph Phonetic
Spelling: (soof) Short Definition: red. Word Origin probably
...260. achu --reeds, rushes
... 259, 260. achu. 261 .reeds, rushes. Transliteration: achu Phonetic
Spelling: (aw'-khoo) Short Definition: grass. Word Origin of...
7070. qaneh -- a stalk, reed
... 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),reeds (4...
98. agam -- a marsh, muddy pool
... From an unused root (meaning to collect as water); a marsh; hence a rush (as growing
in swamps); hence a stockade ofreeds -- pond, pool, standing (water)....
Library
The Boyhood and Training of Moses
... But when she could no longer hide him, she took a basket made of papyrusreeds,
daubed it with mortar and pitch, and put the child in it....
Light after Darkness
... A tangle of wind-mownreeds tripped him and pitched him to his knees among the high
marsh growth.... Kenkenes, in his couch ofreeds, slept on peacefully....
The Treasure Cave
... He rowed across what he believed to be one-half of its width and drew into thereeds....
When they were all within he closed the entrance and unrolled thereeds....
Of the Persecutions in Persia and of them that were Martyred There...
... cases the hands were flayed, in others the back; of others they stripped the heads
of skin from brow to beard; others were enveloped in splitreeds with the...
The Cradle that was Rocked by a River.
... flood. Then she wrapped her baby carefully and laid him in the little boat,
and set it among thereeds at the edge of the river Nile....
Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of...
... In none of us has the virus so gone through our veins but that it is capable of
being expelled. Thereeds are all bruised, thereeds are none of them broken....
Of the Excellent Value which Sacred Love Gives to the Actions...
... Our works as proceeding from ourselves are but frailreeds; but thesereeds become
golden by charity, and with the same we measure the heavenly Jerusalem...
The Meeting Hereafter.
... There were a great manyreeds by the river side, with his dagger he reaped them
down, and he wrapped the babe up in rushes andreeds thickly round it, and tied...
Genesis iii. 22
... Clear it is that we are in an evil case; we have lost our way; we are like men who
are bewildered in those endless forests ofreeds which line some of the...
The Eloi.
... God, nothing to do with him, save in the sunshine of the mind when we feel him near
us, we are poor creatures, willed upon, not willing;reeds, floweringreeds...
Thesaurus
Reeds (27 Occurrences)... PAPER
REEDS. redz: In Isaiah 19:7 the King James Version (the Revised Version
(British and American) "meadows").
...Reeds (27 Occurrences).
...Paper-reeds (1 Occurrence)
Paper-reeds. Paper, Paper-reeds. Papers . Multi-Version Concordance
Paper-reeds (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 19:7 The paper...
Paper (5 Occurrences)
... The expression in the Authorized Version (Isaiah 19:7), "the paperreeds by the
brooks," is in the Revised Version more correctly "the meadows by the Nile...
4500 (5 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Ezekiel 48:30 These are the exits of the city: On the north side
four thousand and five hundredreeds by measure; (See NAS NIV)....
Kanah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Reedy; brook ofreeds.... He identifies it with Nahr el-Kasab,
"river ofreeds," mentioned by Beha ed-Din, the Moslem historian....
Measuring-reed (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Ezekiel 42:16 He measured the east side with the measuring-reed, five
hundredreeds, with the measuring-reed round about. (DBY YLT)....
Reed (41 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) "Paperreeds" (Isaiah 19:7; RV, "reeds"). Hebrews
`aroth, properly green herbage growing in marshy places....
25000 (11 Occurrences)
... land for inheritance, you shall offer an offering to Yahweh, a holy portion of the
land; the length shall be the length of twenty-five thousandreeds, and the...
Reedy (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Abounding withreeds; covered withreeds.
2. (a.) Having the quality of reed in tone, that is, //// and...
Cana (4 Occurrences)
... The Greek kana probably transliterates an old Hebrew qanah, "place ofreeds." This
ancient name survives in Khirbet Qana, a ruined site with rockhewn tombs...
Resources
Did the Israelites in the book of Exodus cross the Red Sea or the Reed Sea? | GotQuestions.orgIs penance mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about adoption? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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