the Berasit Hebrew Dictionary

קנ

'qen' means “cane”, as in sugar cane, bamboo, or papyrus.

'qen' is also cognate with the English word “cane” which derives from Old French “cane”, in turn deriving from from Latin “canna”, from Ancient Greek “κάννα”, from Aramaic “qanhā/qanyā” and from Akkadian “qanû” meaning 'reed' or 'tube made from a reed.

Despite the very obvious and clear etymology, the traditional biblical interpretation of 'qen' is “branches”. This interpretation directly opposes the primary characteristic of canes and other reeds; these plants are essentially large grasses which lack branches and instead take the form of a long straight rod with a few leaves.

LexID 7070