Rod

Rod - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

ROD, n. [L. radius, ray, radix, root.]

1. The shoot or long twig of any woody plant; a branch, or the stem of a shrub; as a rod of hazle, of birch, of oak or hickory. Hence,

2. An instrument of punishment or correction; chastisement.

I will chasten him with the rod of men. 2 Sam 7. Prov 10.

3. Discipline; ecclesiastical censures. 1 Cor 4.

4. A king of scepter.

The rod and bird of peace.

5. A pole for angling; something long and slender.

6. An instrument for measuring; but more generally, a measure of length containing five yards, or sixteen feet and a half; a pole; a perch. In many parts of the United States, rod is universally used for pole or perch.

7. In Scripture, a staff or wand. 1 Sam 14.

8. Support.

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Psa 23.

9. A shepherd's crook. Lev 27.

10. An instrument for threshing. Isa 28.

11. Power; authority. Psa 125.

12. A tribe or race. Psa 74.

Rod of iron, the mighty power of Christ. Rev 19. Psa 2.

(maqqel, maTTeh, shebheT; rhabdos): Little distinction can be drawn between the Hebrew words used for "rod" and "staff." Maqqel is the word used in Ge 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 , etc.). ShebheT is used, but sometimes also maTTeh, of the rod used for correction (Ex 21:20; 2Sa 7:14; Pr 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 Eze 21:10,13, the word stands for the royal scepter. In the New Testament "rod" is used of a rod of correction (1Co 4:21), Aaron's rod (Heb 9:4), a ruler's rod "of iron" (severity, as in Re 2:27; 12:5; 19:15), a measuring rod (Re 11:1).

See also ARMOR, ARMS.

James Orr

Definition

The term “rod” refers to a narrow, solid, stick-like tool that was used in several different ways. It was probably at least a meter in length.

• A wooden rod was used by a shepherd to defend the sheep from other animals. It was also thrown toward a wandering sheep to bring it back to the the flock.
• In Psalm 23, King David used the terms “rod” and “staff” as metaphors to refer to God’s guidance and discipline for his people.
• A shepherd’s rod was also used to count the sheep as they passed under it.
• Another metaphorical expression, “rod of iron,” refers to God’s punishment for people who rebel against him and do evil things.
• In ancient times, measuring rods made of metal, wood, or stone were used to measure the length of a building or object.
• In the Bible, a wooden rod was also referred to as an instrument to discipline children.

(See also: staff, sheep, shepherd)

Bible References

• 1 Corinthians 4:21
• 1 Samuel 14:43-44
• Acts 16:23
• Exodus 27:9-10
• Revelation 11:1

Word Data

• Strong’s: H2415, H4294, H4731, H7626, G25630, G44630, G44640