The Definition of the word Reed

Reed

(1.) Paper reeds" (Isa. 19:7; R.V., "reeds"). Heb. `aroth," properly green herbage growing in marshy places. "(2.) Heb. kaneh (1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isa. 19:6), whence "the Gr. kanna, a "cane," a generic name for a reed of any kind." "The reed of Egypt and Palestine is the Arundo donax, which grows "to the height of 12 feet, its stalk jointed like the bamboo," "with a magnificent panicle of blossom at the top, and so" slender and yielding that it will lie perfectly flat under a "gust of wind, and immediately resume its upright position." It" "is used to illustrate weakness (2 Kings 18:21; Ezek. 29:6), also" fickleness or instability (Matt. 11:7; comp. Eph. 4:14). "A "bruised reed" (Isa. 42:3; Matt. 12:20) is an emblem of a believer weak in grace. A reed was put into our Lord's hands in "derision (Matt. 27:29); and "they took the reed and smote him on" "the head" (30). The "reed" on which they put the sponge filled" "with vinegar (Matt. 27:48) was, according to John (19:29), a" "hyssop stalk, which must have been of some length, or perhaps a" bunch of hyssop twigs fastened to a rod with the sponge. (See [526]CANE.)