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Reed and Measuring Reed

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

—reeds grow abundantly in marshes and along rivers. The basket of the infant Moses was made from papyrus, a reed-like plant of the Nile (Exod. 2:3), and Scripture often uses reeds and rushes to evoke waterside vegetation (Job 40:21; Isa. 19:6). Reeds served as pens, walking staffs, and measuring rods. Ezekiel’s measuring reed was six long cubits (Ezek. 40:5), though the length of a reed could vary by context.

Scripture cited

Exodus 2:3 Job 40:21 Esaias 19:6 Jezekiel 40:5

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