What is…
cane

also known as: Sweet Cane, spice-cane, fragrant cane, aromatic cane

Hebrew: קָנֶה —transliteration: kaneh, kawneh or qaneh (pronounced kah-neh') —meaning: a stalk, or reed —occurrences: 62, however, due to context, most of these instances are not translated as cane, but rather branch(es) or shaft or stalk

Cane is a tall sedgy plant with a hollow stem, growing in moist places. It is a type of grass, and there are many species.

In Isaiah 43:24 and Jeremiah 6:20, the Hebrew word kaneh is thus rendered, giving its name to the plant.

Also take for yourself quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels [approx. 6¼ pounds] of sweet-smelling cane—Exodus 30:23 NKJV

Alternate translations:

“fragrant cane” —Exodus 30:23 NASB, LSB
“aromatic cane” —Exodus 30:23 ESV
“sweet calamus—Exodus 30:23 KJV

The book of Ezekiel also uses the Hebrew word qaneh.

Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise. —Ezekiel 27:19 NKJV

Alternate translations:

“sweet cane” —Ezekiel 27:19 NASB, LSB
calamus—Ezekiel 27:19 KJV, ESV, NIV

What is calamus?

qaneh is translated “reed” in…
1 Kings 14:15 KJV
Job 40:21 KJV
Isaiah 19:6 KJV
Isaiah 35:7 KJV

The word kaneh appears in 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6; and Ezek. 29:6-7, where it refers to the weak, fragile nature of the reed.

More information

Article Version: June 12, 2025