ROD (מַקֵּל, H5234, מַטֶּה, H4751, שֵׁ֫בֶט, H8657; ῥάβδος, G4811). Rod was a length of tree limb or bush stock, employed at first for support or weapon. It was fashioned distinctively for individual use, straight with a thick end or with the shepherd’s crook. Little distinction is drawn between the Heb. words used for rod and staff, though slight differences appear in the root words. Maqel apparently meant twig or sucker, as that of the poplar which Jacob stripped in breeding cattle (Gen 30:37ff.) and “a rod of almond” (Jer 1:11). Maṭṭeh suggests a stretching out of branch or twig; hence a rod in the hand, as rods of Moses and Aaron (Exod 4:2ff.; 7:9ff.). Shebeṭ first meant to prop or support; hence, a shepherd’s staff, and ultimately a scepter. For David it was a symbol of divine guidance and care: “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” (Ps 23:4). The rod also became the symbol of authority and rule prevalent in Bible use. “Moses took the rod of God” (Exod 4:20); and he and Aaron wrought numerous miracles with rods (Exod 8:5ff.; 14:16; Num 20:11). “The rod of discipline” (Prov 22:15) was for child, son, fool (Prov 10:13; 13:24; 14:3; 23:13f.; 26:3), and for slave (Exod 21:20). The rod as a symbol of God’s anger and chastisement occurs in numerous passages (2 Sam 7:14; Job 9:34; 21:9; Isa 9:4; 10:5; 30:31; Lam 3:1; 1 Cor 4:21). That Jesus would rule all nations “with a rod of iron” was foretold in Psalm 2:9 and seen in Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15. The rod was used in counting sheep (Lev 27:32), and symbolically in numbering God’s chosen (Ezek 20:37). Finally, the rod was used for measuring, as the New Jerusalem (Rev 11:1; 21:15f.).