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What the Bible Says About Reed

Overview

The Bible addresses reed across 29 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ezekiel, Isaiah and Matthew. Closely related themes include War, Prophecies Respecting Christ, Soldiers and Egypt. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

Key Bible verses about reed

Old Testament

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 19:7

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more. and be: Heb. and shall not be

Isaiah 35:7

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. grass: or, a court for reeds, etc

Isaiah 36:6

Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.

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. smoking: or, dimly burning quench: Heb. quench it

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 29:6

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 40:3

And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.

Ezekiel 40:4

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 40:5

And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.

Ezekiel 40:6

Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad. which looketh: Heb. whose face was the way toward the east

Ezekiel 40:7

And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.

Ezekiel 40:8

He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.

Ezekiel 41:8

I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.

Ezekiel 42:16

He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. side: Heb. wind

Ezekiel 42:17

He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

Ezekiel 42:18

He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.

Ezekiel 42:19

He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.

Ezekiel 45:1

Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about. when: Heb. when ye cause the land to fall an holy: Heb. holiness

New Testament

People in the Bible and reed

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying reed for yourself

  • Begin with 1 Kings 14:15, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Ezekiel, Isaiah and Matthew each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: War, Prophecies Respecting Christ, Soldiers and Egypt.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about reed?

The Bible addresses reed across 29 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ezekiel, Isaiah and Matthew. Closely related themes include War, Prophecies Respecting Christ, Soldiers and Egypt. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

How many Bible verses are about reed?

The Bible references reed in 29 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention reed?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 1 Kings 14:15: “For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with reed?

Jesus.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on reed.

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