Difference between revisions of "Rod"

<p> &nbsp;Exodus 4:4 (c) Probably this is an emblem of that which becomes useful to GOD when it is in the hand of GOD's servant, although it might have been injurious before being turned over to the Lord. The Lord has a way of turning liabilities into assets. </p> <p> &nbsp;Numbers 17:2 (a) This is an emblem of authority from GOD. It was a sign and proof to all [[Israel]] that Aaron was his chosen high priest to lead the people in their worship, and was His chosen mediator between Himself and the people of Israel. When it budded in the tabernacle, and the others did not, He was showing Israel that He rejected the claims of Korah, [[Dothan]] and Abiram, and all others who assumed the place of leadership. He was also revealing the fact that He could take any old dead "stick," bring it into His presence, and change that person into a beautiful and fruitful Christian. </p> <p> &nbsp;Psalm 2:9 (a) This is a type that reveals GOD's resistless power. It is unbending, it is irresistible, and will crush all the enemies of our Lord [[Christ]] (See also &nbsp;Psalm 110:2). </p> <p> &nbsp;Psalm 23:4 (b) This is probably a symbol of the powerful punishment which our Lord will exercise against the enemies of His children. The rod was for the wild animals, while the staff was for the sheep. </p> <p> &nbsp;Psalm 125:3 (b) This type represents the evil powers of wicked men, and we are assured by the Lord that they shall not be able to conquer nor overcome GOD's people. </p> <p> &nbsp;Proverbs 14:3 (a) It seems as though pride acts as an injurious influence both for the owner and for those who are hurt by it. It is not a blessing. </p> <p> &nbsp;Jeremiah 1:11 (a) We may understand from this type that it represents a condition that had not yet developed. It refers to GOD's wrath which would come into full force as the slip of the tree would yet bear fruit. </p> <p> &nbsp;Jeremiah 10:16 (a) By means of Israel the Lord would get praise, honor and worship through their ministrations and activities. By means of them He would whip many other nations. At times they were quite unfruitful, and not beautiful. [[Afterward]] they would be both fruitful and delightful. </p> <p> &nbsp;Jeremiah 48:17 (a) At one time [[Moab]] was a very strong and vigorous nation. However, they opposed GOD, and GOD's people Israel, so that the prophecy is that they were to be destroyed. </p> <p> &nbsp;Lamentations 3:1 (a) Sometimes this is called "a rod iron." Jeremiah had seen GOD punish Israel terribly, and because of his love for Israel he suffered with them. </p> <p> &nbsp;Ezekiel 7:10 (a) This probably describes the great wickedness of Israel in their pride and self- sufficiency, thinking they could live without GOD, and could prosper under idolatrous rule. [[Certain]] it is that GOD's wrath had been dormant, but is blossoming out against Israel. In verse11, the enemy is no longer dormant. He, too, has become active. </p> <p> &nbsp;Ezekiel 19:14 (a) In this lamentation we are told that there is no leader among the people of GOD who is worthy to rule. All the leaders have been defeated and have gone astray, and bring forth no fruit under GOD. </p> <p> &nbsp;Ezekiel 20:37 (a) As sheep enter the sheepfold through the gate, and are counted under the rod as they enter, so GOD will look after each one of His people, and none of those who are His own sheep will ever be overlooked. </p> <p> &nbsp;Ezekiel 21:10 (c) It may be that the meaning of it is that GOD's wrath will not be hindered by the power of the rulers of Israel. The nation of Israel is called "His son." (See &nbsp;Isaiah 45:11). </p> <p> &nbsp;Micah 6:9 (b) Here we see a type of the whipping, the punishment and the chastisement which may come upon the child of GOD. He should pay attention to it, and learn lessons from it. It is probably another way of expressing the truth in &nbsp;Hebrews 12:11. </p> <p> &nbsp;Micah 7:14 (b) Probably this refers to the power of GOD to bring rich blessings, both material and spiritual, to His people. </p> <p> &nbsp;1 Corinthians 4:21 (a) This type is used to express the scolding that Paul could give these sinning saints, and the reproof he could exercise against them. He did not wish to do so. </p> <p> &nbsp;Revelation 2:27 (a) We are being told that the conquering CHRIST will rule every enemy with hard and harsh punishment, which is unmingled with mercy. (See also &nbsp;Revelation 19:15). </p>

<div> '''A — 1: '''''Ῥάβδος''''' ''' (Strong'S #4464 — Noun [[Feminine]] — rhabdos — hrab'-dos ) </div> <p> "a staff, rod, scepter," is used (a) of Aaron's "rod," &nbsp;Hebrews 9:4; (b) a staff used on a journey, &nbsp;Matthew 10:10 , RV, "staff" (AV, "staves"); so &nbsp;Luke 9:3; &nbsp;Mark 6:8 , "staff;" &nbsp;Hebrews 11:21 , "staff;" (c) a ruler's staff, a "scepter," &nbsp;Hebrews 1:8 (twice); elsewhere a "rod," &nbsp; Revelation 2:27; &nbsp;12:5; &nbsp;19:15; (d) a "rod" for chastisement (figuratively), &nbsp;1—Corinthians 4:21; (e) a measuring "rod," &nbsp;Revelation 11:1 . See Staff. </p> <div> '''B — 1: '''''Ῥαβδίζω''''' ''' (Strong'S #4463 — Verb — rhabdizo — hrab-did'-zo ) </div> <p> "to beat with a rod," is used in &nbsp;Acts 16:22 , RV, "to beat ... with rods;" &nbsp;2—Corinthians 11:25 . The "rods" were those of the Roman lictors or "serjeants" (rhabdouchoi, lit., "rod-bearers"); the Roman beating with "rods" is distinct from the [[Jewish]] infliction of stripes. In the Sept., Jud., 6:11; &nbsp;Ruth 2:17 . Cp. &nbsp;Matthew 26:67 , RV marg.; &nbsp;John 18:22 (AV marg., and RV marg.); 19:3, RV marg.; see Smite. </p>

<p> stands in the A.V. as the representative of several different [[Hebrew]] words, and consequently has various significations in the Scriptures ( '''''חֹטֶר''''' '', Choter,'' a ''Shoot,'' &nbsp;Proverbs 14:3; &nbsp;Isaiah 11:1; '''''מִקֵּל''''' , ''Makkel,'' a ''Twig,'' &nbsp;Genesis 30:37-39; &nbsp;Genesis 30:41; &nbsp;Genesis 32:10; &nbsp;Exodus 12:11; &nbsp;Numbers 22:27; &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:40; &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:43; &nbsp;Jeremiah 1:11; &nbsp;Jeremiah 48:17; &nbsp;Ezekiel 39:9; &nbsp;Hosea 4:12; &nbsp;Zechariah 11:7; &nbsp;Zechariah 11:10; &nbsp;Zechariah 11:14; elsewhere '''''מִטֶּה''''' , ''Matteh,'' a ''Stick,'' especially for walking or smiting, or '''''שֶׁבֶט''''' , ''Shebet,'' the ''Baton'' of office; '''''Ῥαβδός''''' ) ''.'' It signifies a wand or walking staff: as Moses' rod (&nbsp;Exodus 4:2; &nbsp;Exodus 4:4), Aaron's rod (7:9), Jonathan's rod (&nbsp;1 Samuel 14:27). The rods of Moses and Aaron were the visible means chosen by the [[Almighty]] for the instrument of his wonders in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness. The rod of Moses is sometimes called "the rod of God" (&nbsp;Exodus 4:20; &nbsp;Exodus 7:9; &nbsp;Exodus 7:12; &nbsp;Exodus 7:19-20; &nbsp;Exodus 8:5; &nbsp;Exodus 8:17; &nbsp;Exodus 9:23; &nbsp;Exodus 10:13). Aaron's rods, which miraculously blossomed and brought forth almonds, was laid up as a memorial in the holy place (&nbsp;Numbers 17:8; &nbsp;Numbers 17:10; &nbsp;Hebrews 9:4). As the wonders wrought by the instrumentality of Moses' and Aaron's rods attracted the attention of neighboring nations, it is not extraordinary if, in course of time, these personages were interwoven with mythology (see Willemer, De Baculo Mosis [Viteb. 1680]). It has been plausibly conjectured that Aaron's rod, which in its serpent state devoured the serpent rods of the [[Egyptian]] magicians, was the prototype of the caduceus, or wonder working rod of Mercury, which was figured as entwined with two serpents. Aaron's rod was caused to blossom miraculously and bring forth almonds (&nbsp;Numbers 17:8) to show God's election for the priesthood. Parkhurst thinks that the rods of the chiefs among the [[Israelites]] were of the almond tree, to denote vigilance, that being an early tree, flowering before all others. The shepherd's staff is called "a rod;" and the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, was to be taken from "whatsoever passed under the rod," i.e. from whatsoever required the shepherd's care (27:32; &nbsp;Jeremiah 33:13; &nbsp;Ezekiel 20:37; &nbsp;Micah 7:14). The term "rod" also means a shoot or branch of a tree, and in this sense is applied figuratively to Christ as a descendant of [[Jesse]] (&nbsp;Isaiah 11:1). "Rod" is used to designate the tribes of Israel as springing from one root (&nbsp;Psalms 74:2; &nbsp;Jeremiah 10:16). It is used as the symbol of power and authority (&nbsp;Psalms 2:9; &nbsp;Psalms 120:2; &nbsp;Psalms 125:3; &nbsp;Jeremiah 48:17; &nbsp;Ezekiel 19:11; &nbsp;Revelation 2:27); of that which supports and strengthens, a stay or staff (&nbsp;Psalms 23:4; &nbsp;Isaiah 3:1; &nbsp;Ezekiel 29:6); and of the afflictions with which God disciplines his people (&nbsp;Job 9:34; &nbsp;Hebrews 12:6-7). (See Cooper, ''Hist. Of The Rod In All Countries And Ages'' [2d ed. Lond. 1877].) (See [[Sceptre]]); (See [[Staff]]). </p> <p> A peculiar use of rods is afforded in the instance of those of poplar and hazel (more properly the wild almond) which Jacob partially peeled, and set in the water where Laban's cattle drank, and by looking at which they brought forth speckled and ring-streaked young. Commentators are not agreed as to the effect thus produced: whether it was natural or miraculous; whether the sight of the rods had naturally such an effect on the animals' perceptions as to influence the markings of their offspring, in the manner that children often receive marks before birth, from some object that has impressed itself on the mother's mind, or whether it was a special operation of God in Jacob's favor, which, in fact, seems clearly intimated in &nbsp;Genesis 31:10; &nbsp;Genesis 31:12. where Jacob declares himself to have been guided on this subject by God in a dream. The Latin fathers considered the case as natural, the Greek as miraculous, which is also the prevailing opinion of modern commentators, who consider it very doubtful whether the same cause (the use of variegated rods) would now certainly produce the same effects. (See [[Poplar]]). </p> <p> Rhabdomancy, or divining by rods, became a common superstition or idolatrous custom among the Jews, arising, doubtlessly, from the ideas of supernatural agency attached to the rods of Moses and Aaron. It is alluded to in &nbsp;Hosea 4:12 "My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them." It was performed, first, by inscribing certain characters on small rods, and then drawing them, like lots, out of a vessel; secondly, by measuring the rod in spans, and saying, alternately, words expressing a negative and an affirmative, and then determining, according to the last span, whether negative or affirmative, to do the intended action or not; thirdly, by erecting two sticks, repeating a charm, and then determining by certain rules, according as the sticks fell backward or forward, to the right or to the left. (See [[Divination]]). </p>

<p> ( מקּל , <i> ''''' maḳḳēl ''''' </i> , מטּה , <i> ''''' maṭṭeh ''''' </i> , שׁבט , <i> ''''' shēbheṭ ''''' </i> ; ῥάβδος , <i> ''''' rhábdos ''''' </i> ): Little distinction can be drawn between the Hebrew words used for "rod" and "staff." <i> ''''' Maḳḳēl ''''' </i> is the word used in &nbsp; Genesis 30:37 ff for the twigs of poplar put by Jacob before his sheep, and in &nbsp; Jeremiah 1:11 of the "rod of an almond-tree." <i> ''''' Maṭṭēh ''''' </i> is used of a rod in the hand, as the "rods" of Moses and of Aaron (&nbsp;Exodus 4:2 ff; &nbsp; Exodus 7:9 ff, etc.). <i> ''''' Shēbheṭ ''''' </i> is used, but sometimes also <i> ''''' maṭṭeh ''''' </i> , of the rod used for correction (&nbsp;Exodus 21:20; &nbsp;2 Samuel 7:14; &nbsp;Proverbs 10:13; &nbsp;Proverbs 13:24; &nbsp;Isaiah 10:5 , etc.). In &nbsp;Psalm 23:4 ("Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me"), however, <i> ''''' shēbheṭ ''''' </i> is the shepherd's rod, figurative of divine guidance and care. In &nbsp; Ezekiel 21:10 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 21:13 , the word stands for the royal scepter. In the New [[Testament]] "rod" is used of a rod of correction (&nbsp;1 Corinthians 4:21 ), Aaron's rod (&nbsp;Hebrews 9:4 ), a ruler's rod "of iron" (severity, as in &nbsp;Revelation 2:27; &nbsp;Revelation 12:5; &nbsp;Revelation 19:15 ), a measuring rod (&nbsp;Revelation 11:1 ). See also [[Armor]]; [[Arms]] . </p>