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Jacob’s Staff of Blessing
The staff Jacob used upon his deathbed.
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Dictionaries
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised
Staff
Staff [Heb. maṭṭeh] (Gen. 38:18, 25; Lev. 26:26; 1 S. 14:27, 43; Ps. 105:16; Isa. 9:4 [MT 3]; etc.); AV also ROD; NEB also STICK, DAILY, ROD, etc.; [poel part of ḥāqaq] (“ruler’s staff” Gen. 49:10); AV LAWGIVER; [maqqēl] (Gen. 32:10; Ex. 12:11; Nu. 22:27; 1 S. 17:40; Jer. 48:17; Hos. 4:12; Zec.
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated)
Rod
rod1 A walking stick for travelers, usually called a “staff” in the nrsv (Gen. 32:10). When Jesus sent his disciples out on a mission, he told them to take nothing with them for the journey except a staff (Mark 6:8; but in Matt. 10:10 and Luke 9:3, they are not even to take that).2 An instrument for
The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia
Staff
STAFF. Various Heb. and Gr. words in many passages in the Bible refer to the staff in a literal sense. These include association with or use by shepherds, travelers, warriors and soldiers. The predominant biblical uses, however, are figurative. Moses’ rod, for instance, symbolized the presence of God
The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition
Rod (Staff)
ROD (STAFF). A word with a variety of meanings. 1. A stem, branch (Gn. 30:37; Je. 1:11). 2. A support carried by travellers (Gn. 32:10; Mk. 6:8), shepherds (Ex. 4:2; Ps. 23:4, ‘staff’), old men (Zc. 8:4; Heb. 11:21) and men of rank (Gn. 38:18); figurative in 2 Ki. 18:21; Is. 3:1; Ezk. 29:6. Passing under
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible
Staff
StaffAny substantial stick used as a walking stick (Gen. 32:10 [MT 11]; Matt. 10:10), by shepherds as a defense against predators (Zech. 11:7; cf. Ps. 23:4), as a ceremonial object like a scepter (Gen. 49:10; Isa. 14:5), for punishment (30:32), or as a goad (Num. 22:27), a divining stick (Hos. 4:12),
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary
Staff
Staff (Heb. maqqēl, maṭṭeh, šēḇeṭ, miš˓eneṯ; Gk. rhábdos). † Any kind of substantial stick used as a walking stick (Gen. 32:10 [MT 11]; Matt. 10:10), by shepherds as a defense against predators (Zech. 11:7; cf. Ps. 23:4), as a ceremonial object like a scepter (Gen. 49:10; Isa. 14:5),
Catholic Bible Dictionary
Staff
STAFF A branch or wooden rod used mainly for walking. The staff was both the support and the weapon of the shepherd (Ps 23:4; Mic 7:14). It was also considered essential equipment for a journey on foot, no matter what the health or age of the walker. The poor traveler carried nothing but a staff (Gen
The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary
Staff
STAFF (Heb. maṭṭeh, “branch”; Ex. 4:2; 7:9; 1 Sam. 14:27, 43). In the case of Moses and Aaron, the staff, although belonging to Moses, was employed by Aaron in performing miracles. It was also called “the staff of God” (Ex. 4:20; 17:9), probably because through it Jehovah wrought such wonders. See
Staff
STAFF (Heb. maṭṭeh, maqqēl, shēbeṭ; Gk. hrabdos; all meaning a “stick”). Rods and staffs were employed for various purposes by the ancients, as is common with us. They were used by old and infirm persons for support or defense (Ex. 21:19; Zech. 8:4), also by travelers (Gen. 32:10; Ex. 12:11; 2 Kings
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Staff
STAFF — a short pole or stick used for many different purposes in Bible times. A staff was used much like a walking cane by travelers (Gen. 32:10), the elderly (Heb. 11:21), and the lame (2 Sam. 3:29); but it could also serve as a simple weapon, especially in the hands of a Shepherd (1 Sam. 17:40). A
Dictionary of Biblical Imagery
Rod, Staff
Rod, StaffImages of the rod and the staff are used somewhat interchangeably in English translations of the Bible. Six main categories may be noted: travelers’ staffs, the striped tree branches employed by Jacob with his flocks, instruments of discipline or punishment, tools used by shepherds, symbols
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
STAFF
STAFF<staf>: Many Hebrew terms are represented by this word. The “staves” of the ark translate the word [בַּד‎, badh], literally, “a part,” hence, branch, bar, etc. (Ex 25:13, 14, 15, 27, 28, etc.). Other words, as matteh, maqqel, shebhet, used of the staff in the hand, the shepherd’s staff,
STAVES
STAVES<stavz> ([בַּדִּים‎, baddim]): Ten or eleven Hebrew words are used in the Old Testament to describe various staffs, bars, and wooden rods used by the Hebrews (compare STAFF; ROD; SCEPTER). One word only is used to describe the staves or wooden poles used for carrying the holy furniture of
Ecclesiastical Dictionary: Containing, in Concise Form, Information upon Ecclesiastical, Biblical, Archæological, and Historical Subjects
Staff
Staff or Crosier (pastoral staff of a bishop or of an abbot).—The crosier has existed from the earliest times of the Church. At first it was a simple staff, generally of cypress wood, ending by a head in the form of a crutch or T, the so-called St. Anthony’s cross. This kind of staff existed until the
See also
Instance Of
Shepherd’s staff
Related
Jacob (son of Isaac)