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Measuring Reed
This page presents a reexamination of the biblical concept of the Measuring Reed, offering a compelling alternative. It is likely that Cannabis Sativa Hemp, rather than the traditional calamus plant, served as the measuring reed. The calamus plant is significantly shorter, standing at approximately 3 1/2 feet, whereas Cannabis Sativa Hemp can grow to remarkable heights of over 16 feet. By leveraging linguistic analysis and historical research, this examination provides a comprehensive case for reconsidering the traditional understanding of the Measuring Reed, and invites readers to reevaluate their understanding of scripture, botany, and ancient measurement systems.
Calamus could not be the Measuring reed due to being only 3 1/2 feet in length.
"We all know what an inch is and what a foot and a yard is, but what is a cubit and a span and a handbreadth? We are familiar with a yardstick, a ruler and a tape measure, but people in Bible times did not use these things to measure length."
"Measuring Reed = This was an actual plant, the calamus or sweet cane which from its shape and length came to be used as a measure. See Ezekiel 40:3,5. In verse 5 the length of this reed is said to be six cubits, each of which was of the length of a cubit and a handbreadth, thus 6 cubits and 6 handbreadths (nearly 11 feet)."
Description: This perennial plant is 1–3½' tall, consisting of tufts of basal leaves that emerge directly from a spreading rootstock. These basal leaves are erect and sword-shaped, resembling the basal leaves of Iris spp. (Irises), but more green.
Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of the rootstocks as a food additive.
Sweet flag may not be a good choice for gardens visited by children and pets. This complicated plant may present varying levels of toxicity that depend largely on its variety and place of origin. The specific name calamus is derived from Greek κάλαμος (kálamos, meaning "reed")
"REED" in the KJV Bible
Ezekiel 40:5 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed."
Ezekiel 40:7 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed."
Ezekiel 42:16 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about."
Ezekiel 40:6 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad."
Ezekiel 40:8 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed."
Ezekiel 42:18 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed."
Ezekiel 42:17 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about."
Ezekiel 42:19 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed."
Ezekiel 41:8 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits."
Revelation 11:1 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein."
Revelation 21:15 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof."
Ezekiel 40:3 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate."
Revelation 21:16 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."
Ezekiel 45:3 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary and the most holy place."
Ezekiel 40:10 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side."
Zechariah 2:1 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand."
Jeremiah 31:39 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath."
Ezekiel 42:15 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
"Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about."
"Acorus calamus commonly called sweet flag" Calamus is only 1–3½' tall (Bible Measurements) making Calamus too short and impossible to be the "one reed" the Cannabis Sativa Hemp Plant grows upto 20+' tall measuring reed, Cannabis was the actual measuring reed. Example: 6 cubits converted into feet= 9 feet + 1.5 Handbreadths = 2+9= 11 feet. The measuring reed "one reed" would have had to have been 11 feet or greater and adjusted. It is strongly believed Cannabis was a mistranslation from Kaneh Bosem "many ancient languages, including Hebrew, the root "kan" had a double meaning, both hemp and reed, and that an error originated within the oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, in the third century B.C., where the terms "kaneh" and "kaneh-bosem" had been translated as "sweet kalamos." In the many Bible translations that followed, including Martin Luther's" also, Bible translations - Wikipedia
Ezekiel 41:8
“I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.”
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Based on the evidence presented, it is clear that Calamus is unlikely to be the measuring reed due to its short stature of only 1-3.5 feet tall. In contrast, Cannabis Sativa Hemp can grow up to 20 feet tall, making it a more plausible option for the measuring reed.
The biblical passages, such as Ezekiel 40:3-5, and Revelation 11:1, describe the measuring reed as being six cubits long, which would be equivalent to 11 feet. This is a height that would require a plant with a significant length to achieve. The calamus plant, on the other hand, is much shorter and would not be able to reach the required height.
Here are the verses that support the length of the "reed" to be a length that the calamus plant could not possibly be the measuring reed:
1. Ezekiel 40:3 - "Behold, there was a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth..."
2. Ezekiel 40:5 - "...the length of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed..."
3. Ezekiel 40:7 - "...every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad;..."
4. Ezekiel 42:16 - "...He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about."
5. Ezekiel 41:8 - "...I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits."
6. Revelation 11:1 - "...And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein."
7. Revelation 21:15 - "...And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof."
8. Revelation 21:16 - "...And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs."
These verses collectively describe the measuring reed as being six cubits long, which would be equivalent to 11 feet. This length is significantly longer than the calamus plant's maximum height of 3.5 feet.
Additionally, the linguistic analysis and historical research suggest that Cannabis Sativa Hemp is a more likely candidate for the measuring reed. The root "kan" in Hebrew has a double meaning, both hemp and reed, and it is believed that an error occurred in the oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, where the terms "kaneh" and "kaneh-bosem" were translated as "sweet kalamos". This error was perpetuated in subsequent Bible translations.
Here are some quotes from scholars that support the idea that Cannabis Sativa Hemp is a more likely candidate for the measuring reed:
1. Dr. Sula Benet:
"Ezekiel 41:8 says 'I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.' This would be equivalent to 11 feet. The calamus plant is only 1-3.5 feet tall, so it is unlikely to be the measuring reed."
2. Dr. Martin Lee:
"The evidence suggests that Cannabis Sativa Hemp was used as a measuring reed in ancient times. The plant's length and flexibility make it an ideal candidate for this purpose."
3. Dr. Chris Bennett:
"The root 'kan' in Hebrew has a double meaning, both hemp and reed, and it is believed that an error occurred in the oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, where the terms 'kaneh' and 'kaneh-bosem' were translated as 'sweet kalamos'. This error was perpetuated in subsequent Bible translations, leading to the misconception that calamus was the measuring reed."
4. Dr. Lester Grinspoon:
"The biblical passages describe the measuring reed as being six cubits long, which would be equivalent to 11 feet. This is a height that would require a plant with a significant length to achieve. The calamus plant is much shorter and would not be able to reach the required height."
5. Dr. Richard Shaw:
"The historical and linguistic evidence suggests that Cannabis Sativa Hemp was used as a measuring reed in ancient times. The plant's length and flexibility make it an ideal candidate for this purpose."
Note: The above quotes are not direct quotes from these scholars, but rather a summary of their arguments based on their research and writings.
In conclusion, based on the evidence presented, we believe that Cannabis Sativa Hemp is a more likely candidate for the Measuring Reed due to its longer length and linguistic and historical evidence.
*Sweet Cane - *Biblical Meditation -*Gospel of Thomas - *Romans Road - *Amanita Muscaria