Topical Bible: Herbs: Bulrushes

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Topical Encyclopedia

Bulrushes, often referred to in biblical texts, are a type of plant commonly associated with marshy or aquatic environments. In the Bible, the term "bulrush" is used to describe plants that grow in wet areas, particularly along the banks of rivers and in marshes. The most notable mention of bulrushes is found in the account of Moses, where they play a significant role in his early life.

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. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile."

In this passage, Moses' mother places him in a basket made of papyrus, a plant often associated with bulrushes, and sets it among the reeds of the Nile River. The bulrushes here provide a natural cover and protection for the infant Moses, illustrating God's providence and care even in dire circumstances.

2. Isaiah 18:2 · "which sends envoys by sea in papyrus boats over the water. Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people feared far and wide, a nation powerful and oppressive, whose land the rivers divide."

This verse references papyrus boats, highlighting the use of bulrushes in ancient transportation. The papyrus plant, closely related to bulrushes, was utilized for making boats, baskets, and even writing materials, underscoring its importance in the daily life and commerce of ancient civilizations.

3. Job 8:11 · "Does papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?"

Here, the rhetorical question posed by Bildad emphasizes the dependency of bulrushes on water-rich environments. This imagery is used to illustrate the necessity of a proper foundation for growth and prosperity, drawing a parallel to spiritual and moral truths.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, bulrushes were a vital resource. The papyrus plant, often identified with bulrushes, was especially significant in Egypt, where it was used to produce papyrus paper, a primary writing material of the time. The plant's fibrous nature made it suitable for crafting various items, including baskets, mats, and boats.

The presence of bulrushes in biblical narratives often symbolizes protection, sustenance, and the providence of God. Their growth in marshy areas also serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths, illustrating the need for a nurturing environment to sustain life and faith.

Symbolism and Theological Insights:

Bulrushes, as depicted in the Bible, carry rich symbolic meaning. In the account of Moses, the bulrushes represent God's hidden protection and the unfolding of His divine plan. The use of bulrushes in constructing the basket that saved Moses signifies the humble yet profound means by which God accomplishes His purposes.

Theologically, bulrushes remind believers of the importance of trust in God's provision and the assurance that He can use the simplest elements of creation to fulfill His will. The imagery of bulrushes thriving in water-rich environments also serves as a reminder of the necessity of spiritual nourishment and the sustaining power of God's Word in the life of a believer.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 2:3
And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 58:5
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... babe, afloat on the Nile, in a small boat made of bulrushes by his ... road, which were
loaded not merely with frankincense, but all kinds of odoriferous herbs. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... And so it came to pass, that like certain herbs which spring up when trodden down ...
the courts of Pharaoh if he had not been put in the basket of bulrushes on the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

Prayer.
... pitcher that fetcheth water from the brook, therewith to water the herbs: break
the ... wrath, if they, will, in their weak and simple vessels of bulrushes, or to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xix prayer.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... of any thing which grew of itself this seventh year, whether of herbs, vines or ... poor
indigent creatures like Moses are laid in the ark of bulrushes weeping and ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm