International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Rod
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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Rod
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(מקּל, makÌ£kÌ£eÌ„l, מטּה, matÌ£tÌ£eh, ש×בט, sheÌ„bhetÌ£; Ï̔αÌβδος, rhaÌbdos): Little distinction can be drawn between the Hebrew words used for “rod†and “staff.†MakÌ£kÌ£eÌ„l is the word used in ff for the twigs of poplar put by Jacob before his sheep, and in of the “rod of an almond-tree.†MatÌ£tÌ£eÌ„h is used of a rod in the hand, as the “rods†of Moses and of Aaron ( ff; ff, etc.). SheÌ„bhetÌ£ is used, but sometimes also matÌ£tÌ£eh, of the rod used for correction (; ; ; ; , etc.). In (“Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort meâ€), however, sheÌ„bhetÌ£ is the shepherd's rod, figurative of divine guidance and care. In , , the word stands for the royal scepter. In the New Testament “rod†is used of a rod of correction (), Aaron's rod (), a ruler's rod “of iron†(severity, as in ; ; ), a measuring rod (). See also ARMOR; ARMS.