International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Rod

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Rod


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(מקּל, maḳḳēl, מטּה, maṭṭeh, שׁבט, shēbheṭ; ῥάβδος, rhábdos): Little distinction can be drawn between the Hebrew words used for “rod” and “staff.” Maḳḳēl 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.” Maṭṭēh is used of a rod in the hand, as the “rods” of Moses and of Aaron ( ff; ff, etc.). Shēbheṭ is used, but sometimes also maṭṭeh, of the rod used for correction (; ; ; ; , etc.). In (“Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me”), however, shēbheṭ 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.