A measuring-rod, also referred to as a "reed" or "staff" in various translations, is a tool used in biblical times for measuring distances or dimensions, particularly in construction and land division. The concept of the measuring-rod appears in several significant biblical passages, symbolizing divine judgment, order, and the establishment of God's plans.

Old Testament References

1. Ezekiel's Vision of the Temple: In Ezekiel 40-42, the prophet Ezekiel is given a vision of a new temple. A man whose appearance was like bronze held a measuring-rod to measure the temple's dimensions. Ezekiel 40:3-5 states, "He brought me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway. He said to me, 'Son of man, look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Report everything you see to the house of Israel.' And behold, there was a wall surrounding the temple area. The measuring rod in the man’s hand was six long cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one rod, and the height, one rod."

2. Zechariah's Vision: In Zechariah 2:1-2 , the prophet sees a man with a measuring line, which is akin to a measuring-rod, symbolizing the restoration and future expansion of Jerusalem. "Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. 'Where are you going?' I asked. 'To measure Jerusalem,' he replied, 'and to determine its width and length.'"

New Testament References

1. The Book of Revelation: The measuring-rod appears in Revelation 11:1-2 , where John is given a reed like a measuring rod and instructed to measure the temple of God. "Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, 'Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample the holy city for forty-two months.'"

Symbolism and Significance

The measuring-rod serves as a symbol of God's authority and precision in establishing His purposes. It represents divine standards and the meticulous care with which God plans and executes His will. In Ezekiel, the measuring-rod underscores the detailed and perfect nature of the future temple, reflecting God's holiness and the restoration of His people. In Zechariah, it signifies hope and the promise of God's protection and expansion of Jerusalem. In Revelation, the measuring-rod is a tool of judgment and demarcation, highlighting the separation between the holy and the profane.

The use of the measuring-rod in these contexts emphasizes God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises, serving as a reminder of His ultimate control over the unfolding of history and the establishment of His kingdom.2563. kalamos -- a reed
... Masculine Transliteration: kalamos Phonetic Spelling: (kal'-am-os) Short Definition:
a reed, reed-pen Definition: a reed; a reed-pen, reed-staff, measuring rod ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2563.htm - 6k

3358. metron -- a measure
... a measure. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: metron Phonetic Spelling:
(met'-ron) Short Definition: a measure, measuring rod Definition: a measure ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3358.htm - 7k

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... 1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then
rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

Zechariah
... The third vision (ii.)"that of a young man with a measuring-rod"announces that
Jerusalem will be wide and populous, the exiles will return to it, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zechariah.htm

The Evil and Its Remedy
... No man can know the greatness of sin till he has felt it, for there is no
measuring-rod for sin, except its condemnation in our own conscience, when the law ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the evil and its remedy.htm

Looking at the Unseen
... They who look out into the eternities have the true measuring rod and standard by
which to estimate the duration and intensity of the things that are present. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/looking at the unseen.htm

The City Without Walls
... In this one, he sees a man with a measuring-rod in his hand coming forth
to take the dimensions of the still un-existing city of God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the city without walls.htm

Man's Bad Break.
... No fathoming line can sound its depth. No measuring rod its height nor breadth.
No thought can pierce its intensity. That reaching arm went around a world. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/mans bad break.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... like a measuring rod: and he [230] (ie, the angel who continued speaking with him)
said] Bishop Wordsworth imagines that it is the reed that speaks. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Revelation. * * * * *
... (5) The little book, Ch.10. (6) The measuring rod and two witnesses; 11:1-14.
(7) Each of the seven mystic figures, Chs.12-14. Describe each. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxxix revelation .htm

The People of the New Earth
... The Dimensions of the City. xxi.15. And he that talked with me had a measuring-rod
of gold to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people of the new.htm

Measuring-rod (1 Occurrence)
Measuring-rod. Measuring-reed, Measuring-rod. Meat . Multi-Version
Concordance Measuring-rod (1 Occurrence). Revelation ...
/m/measuring-rod.htm - 6k

Rod (138 Occurrences)
... 4:21), Aaron's rod (Hebrews 9:4), a ruler's rod "of iron" (severity, as in Revelation
2:27; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15), a measuringrod (Revelation 11:1 ...
/r/rod.htm - 42k

Measuring (42 Occurrences)
... Revelation 11:1 Then a reed was given me to serve as a measuringrod; and a voice
said, "Rise, and measure God's sanctuary--and the altar--and count the ...
/m/measuring.htm - 22k

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A wedge-shaped billet of iron or steel. 6. (n.) A rod or stick, as a fishing
rod, a measuringrod, or a rod used to drive cattle with. ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k

Worshipers (12 Occurrences)
... Revelation 11:1 Then a reed was given me to serve as a measuringrod; and a voice
said, "Rise, and measure God's sanctuary--and the altar--and count the ...
/w/worshipers.htm - 10k

Worshippers (45 Occurrences)
... Revelation 11:1 And there was given to me a measuringrod: and one said, Go up and
take the measure of the house of God, and the altar, and the worshippers in ...
/w/worshippers.htm - 19k

Fillet (1 Occurrence)
... fil'-et (chuT, chashuq): (1) Chut, from a root not used, meaning probably "to sew,"
therefore a string or a measuringrod or cord, and so a line, tape, thread ...
/f/fillet.htm - 9k

Measuring-reed (6 Occurrences)
Measuring-reed. Measuring-line, Measuring-reed. Measuring-rod . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY YLT). Measuring-line, Measuring-reed. Measuring-rod . ...
/m/measuring-reed.htm - 8k

Doors (149 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Revelation 21:15 And he who was talking with me had a gold measuring-rod
to take the measure of the town, and of its doors, and its wall. (BBE). ...
/d/doors.htm - 39k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... Some refer to different uses to which a reed is put, eg a cross-beam of a balance,
a walking-stick, a measuringrod, and a pen (see above), but apart from this ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

What is the significance of Ezekiel's temple? | GotQuestions.org

What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian woman consider getting breast implants / breast augmentation? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus