Rod in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

(maqqel, maTTeh, shebheT; rhabdos): Little distinction can be drawn between the Hebrew words used for "rod" and "staff." Maqqel is the word used in Gen 30:37 ff for the twigs of poplar put by Jacob before his sheep, and in Jer 1:11 of the "rod of an almond-tree." MaTTeh is used of a rod in the hand, as the "rods" of Moses and of Aaron (Ex 4:2 ff; 7:9 ff, etc.). ShebheT is used, but sometimes also maTTeh, of the rod used for correction (Ex 21:20; 2 Sam 7:14; Prov 10:13; 13:24; Isa 10:5, etc.). In Ps 23:4 ("Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me"), however, shebheT is the shepherd's rod, figurative of divine guidance and care. In Ezek 21:10,13, the word stands for the royal scepter. In the New Testament "rod" is used of a rod of correction (1 Cor 4:21), Aaron's rod (Heb 9:4), a ruler's rod "of iron" (severity, as in Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:15), a measuring rod (Rev 11:1).