1 A staff for travelers (Gen 32:10; Mark 6:8). 2 An instrument for punishment; it was used by a father to punish his son (Prov 13:24; Prov 22:15) or an officer to beat a prisoner (Matt 27:26; 2Cor 11:25). 3 A symbol of authority (Judg 5:14; Gen 49:10). Moses’s rod was a symbol of his office and evidence of the divine authority for his actions. With this rod Moses performed wonders (Exod 4:1-5; Exod 7:8-24; Exod 14:16; Exod 17:1-7). When there was a dispute over the authority to lead the people, Moses placed Aaron’s rod in the tabernacle along with others; Aaron’s rod budded and produced almonds, signifying the authority vested in his line. 4 Something used to measure distances (Ezek 40:3; NRSV: “reed”). 5 A shepherd’s rod (Ps 23:4), a type of club used for defending the flock; by contrast, the staff (in the phrase “rod and staff”) is a longer rod or pole upon which the shepherd could lean or with which he could guide the flock.
