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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.
I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.
He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. side: Heb. wind
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
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
Matthew
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Revelation
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
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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