2563. kalamos

Lexicon

kalamos: Reed, staff, measuring rod, pen

Original Word: κάλαμος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: kalamos
Pronunciation: KAL-ah-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (kal'-am-os)
Definition: Reed, staff, measuring rod, pen
Meaning: a reed; a reed-pen, reed-staff, measuring rod.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

pen, reed.

Or uncertain affinity; a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication, a pen -- pen, reed.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a reed
NASB Translation
measuring rod (2), pen (1), reed (8), rod (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2563: κάλαμος

κάλαμος, καλάμου, ὁ, from Pindar down, Latincalamus, i. e.

a. a reed: Matthew 11:7; Matthew 12:20 (from Isaiah 42:3); Luke 7:24.

b. a staff made of a reed, a reed-staff (as in 2 Kings 18:21): Matthew 27:29f, 48; Mark 15:19, 36.

c. a measuring reed or rod: Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:15f (Ezekiel 40:3-6; Ezekiel 42:16-19).

d. a writer's reed, a pen: 3 John 1:13; (see Gardthausen, Griech. Palaeogr., p. 71f).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root word of uncertain affinity.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7070 קָנֶה (qaneh): This Hebrew word is often translated as "reed" or "stalk" and shares a similar range of meanings with the Greek κάλαμος, including its use as a measuring rod or a symbol of fragility. It appears in various Old Testament passages, such as in the construction of the tabernacle and in prophetic imagery.

Usage: The word κάλαμος is used in various contexts in the New Testament, including as a writing instrument, a measuring tool, or symbolically to represent fragility or instability.

Context: • Literal Usage: In the ancient world, reeds were commonly found in marshy areas and were used for various practical purposes. The κάλαμος was often employed as a writing instrument, similar to a pen, by cutting the end into a nib. This usage is reflected in passages where writing is mentioned.
• Symbolic Usage: The reed is sometimes used metaphorically in Scripture to denote weakness or instability, as reeds are easily swayed by the wind. This symbolism is evident in passages where human frailty or the transient nature of life is highlighted.
• Measuring Rod: In the book of Revelation, κάλαμος is used to describe a measuring rod, indicating its use as a tool for measurement, particularly in the context of divine judgment or the establishment of God's order (Revelation 11:1).
• Biblical References:
• Matthew 11:7 (BSB): "As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?'"
• Revelation 11:1 (BSB): "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.'"
• Matthew 27:29 (BSB): "And they twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and put a staff in His right hand. Then they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'"

Forms and Transliterations

καλαμον κάλαμον καλαμος κάλαμος καλαμου καλάμου καλαμω καλάμω καλάμῳ kalamo kalamō kalámoi kalámōi kalamon kálamon kalamos kálamos kalamou kalámou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 11:7 N-AMS
GRK: ἔρημον θεάσασθαι κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου
NAS: to see? A reed shaken
KJV: to see? A reed shaken
INT: wilderness to look at a reed by [the] wind

Matthew 12:20 N-AMS
GRK: κάλαμον συντετριμμένον οὐ
NAS: A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK
KJV: A bruised reed shall he not
INT: A reed bruised not

Matthew 27:29 N-AMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ κάλαμον ἐν τῇ
NAS: it on His head, and a reed in His right hand;
KJV: head, and a reed in his
INT: of him and a reed in the

Matthew 27:30 N-AMS
GRK: ἔλαβον τὸν κάλαμον καὶ ἔτυπτον
NAS: on Him, and took the reed and [began] to beat
KJV: him, and took the reed, and smote
INT: they took the reed and struck [him]

Matthew 27:48 N-DMS
GRK: καὶ περιθεὶς καλάμῳ ἐπότιζεν αὐτόν
NAS: and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.
KJV: and put [it] on a reed, and gave him
INT: and having put [it] on a reed gave to drink him

Mark 15:19 N-DMS
GRK: τὴν κεφαλὴν καλάμῳ καὶ ἐνέπτυον
NAS: His head with a reed, and spitting
KJV: on the head with a reed, and
INT: head with a reed and spat on

Mark 15:36 N-DMS
GRK: ὄξους περιθεὶς καλάμῳ ἐπότιζεν αὐτόν
NAS: put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink,
KJV: and put [it] on a reed, and gave him
INT: with vinegar having put [it] on a reed gave to drink him

Luke 7:24 N-AMS
GRK: ἔρημον θεάσασθαι κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου
NAS: to see? A reed shaken
KJV: for to see? A reed shaken
INT: wilderness to look at a reed by [the] wind

3 John 1:13 N-GMS
GRK: μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν
NAS: to write [them] to you with pen and ink;
KJV: ink and pen write unto thee:
INT: ink and pen to you to write

Revelation 11:1 N-NMS
GRK: ἐδόθη μοι κάλαμος ὅμοιος ῥάβδῳ
NAS: there was given me a measuring rod like
KJV: me a reed like
INT: was given to me a reed like a staff

Revelation 21:15 N-AMS
GRK: εἶχεν μέτρον κάλαμον χρυσοῦν ἵνα
NAS: a gold measuring rod to measure
KJV: had a golden reed to measure
INT: had a measuring reed golden that

Revelation 21:16 N-DMS
GRK: πόλιν τῷ καλάμῳ ἐπὶ σταδίων
NAS: the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles;
KJV: the city with the reed, twelve
INT: city with the reed in stadia

Strong's Greek 2563
12 Occurrences

καλάμῳ — 4 Occ.
κάλαμον — 6 Occ.
κάλαμος — 1 Occ.
καλάμου — 1 Occ.