Reedgrass, often referred to in biblical texts, is a plant commonly associated with marshy or wetland areas. It is frequently mentioned in the context of the natural landscape of the Near East, particularly in relation to the Nile Delta and the Jordan River. The Hebrew word often translated as "reed" is "qaneh," which can refer to various types of reed plants, including those used for construction, writing instruments, and musical pipes.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 2:3 · "But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile."
In this passage, the reeds along the Nile provide a hiding place for the infant Moses. The use of reeds here highlights their abundance and the role they play in the ecosystem of the Nile.

2. Isaiah 19:6-7 · "The streams of the Nile will dwindle and dry up, and the canals will become parched and empty. The reeds and rushes will wither. The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the sown land along the Nile will dry up, blow away, and be no more."
This prophecy against Egypt underscores the importance of reedgrass in the agricultural and economic life of the region. The withering of reeds symbolizes desolation and the collapse of the natural order.

3. Ezekiel 29:6 · "Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel."
Here, reedgrass is used metaphorically to describe Egypt as an unreliable support for Israel. The imagery of a "staff of reed" suggests fragility and instability, as reeds are not strong enough to serve as a dependable support.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

Reedgrass held significant cultural and economic value in ancient times. It was used for making papyrus, a writing material essential for record-keeping and literature. The flexibility and abundance of reeds made them suitable for crafting baskets, mats, and even simple boats. Symbolically, reeds often represent weakness or frailty, as seen in the metaphorical use in Ezekiel.

Reedgrass in the New Testament:

While the New Testament does not frequently mention reeds, they appear in the context of John the Baptist. In Matthew 11:7, Jesus asks the crowd, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?" . This rhetorical question contrasts the steadfastness of John the Baptist with the instability of a reed, emphasizing John's firm commitment to his prophetic mission.

Theological Implications:

Reedgrass serves as a reminder of the transitory nature of human strength and the need for reliance on God. The imagery of reeds, both in their natural setting and as metaphors, points to the fragility of human endeavors without divine support. The biblical use of reedgrass underscores themes of trust, provision, and the sovereignty of God over creation.REED-GRASS

(Genesis 41:2, 18 Job 8:11 margin).

See FLAG, (2); REED, (1).

Reedgrass (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reedgrass (1 Occurrence). Genesis 41:18 and, behold,
there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed ...
/r/reedgrass.htm - 7k

Grazed (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Genesis 41:18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine,
fat-fleshed and well-favoured; and they fed in the reedgrass. (See NAS NIV) ...
/g/grazed.htm - 7k

Reed-grass (3 Occurrences)
Reed-grass. Reedgrass, Reed-grass. Reed-plants . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ...
(See JPS DBY). Reedgrass, Reed-grass. Reed-plants . Reference Bible.
/r/reed-grass.htm - 7k

Reed-boats (1 Occurrence)
Reed-boats. Reed, Reed-boats. Reedgrass . Multi-Version Concordance Reed-boats
(1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). Reed, Reed-boats. Reedgrass . Reference Bible.
/r/reed-boats.htm - 6k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine,
fat-fleshed and well-favoured; and they fed in the reedgrass. ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

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