What does a staff represent in the Bible?

W. B. D. The rod may speak of power (compare Exodus 7:10-12; 17:5, etc.), or, as is generally supposed, of correction, while the staff is for support. But whether His power, His correction, or His support, all are for our “comfort” in difficult circumstances.

A. F. P. I have thought that the rod with its crook would be used by the Shepherd to help the sheep out of a ditch back into the path, or to restrain it from straying into danger. The Shepherd would use the staff to drive off savage beasts. In Palestine they were in the habit of carrying a club for this purpose. In other words, what comforts the one who has to pass through the valley is the Shepherd's power to direct and to protect.

P. V. W. All that the rod in the hand of Moses meant to the people of Israel (see Exodus 15:16; 17:5) Christ Jesus is to us now, He who opened the sea for our deliverance from a worse bondage than Israel 's. The staff occupies a large place in Scripture, and is a symbol of support and strength. For us, Christ is the reality of what the staff implies, to sustain the Christian through this life. Every other staff, every other confidence fails. Christ is the true Priest—not encompassed with infirmities as Aaron—Who can carry His people through the whole journey to the end. He is God's wisdom and resource for us, in all circumstances and in all things.

W. B. D. The rod may speak of power (compare Ex. 7:10-12; Ex. 17:5, etc.), or, as is generally supposed, of correction, while the staff is for support. But whether His power, His correction, or His support, all are for our "comfort" in difficult circumstances.

A. F. P. I have thought that the rod with its crook would be used by the Shepherd to help the sheep out of a ditch back into the path, or to restrain it from straying into danger. The Shepherd would use the staff to drive off savage beasts. In Palestine they were in the habit of carrying a club for this purpose. In other words, what comforts the one who has to pass through the valley is the Shepherd's power to direct and to protect.

P. V. W. All that the rod in the hand of Moses meant to the people of Israel (see Ex. 14:16; Ex. 17:5) Christ Jesus is to us now, He who opened the sea for our deliverance from a worse bondage than Israel's. The staff occupies a large place in Scripture, and is a symbol of support and strength. For us, Christ is the reality of what the staff implies, to sustain the Christian through this life. Every other staff, every other confidence fails. Christ is the true Priest — not encompassed with infirmities as Aaron-Who can carry His people through the whole journey to the end. He is God's wisdom and resource for us, in all circumstances and in all things.

W. B. D. The rod may speak of power (compare Exodus 7:10-12; 17:5, etc.), or, as is generally supposed, of correction, while the staff is for support. But whether His power, His correction, or His support, all are for our "comfort" in difficult circumstances.

A. F. P. I have thought that the rod with its crook would be used by the Shepherd to help the sheep out of a ditch back into the path, or to restrain it from straying into danger. The Shepherd would use the staff to drive off savage beasts. In Palestine they were in the habit of carrying a club for this purpose. In other words, what comforts the one who has to pass through the valley is the Shepherd's power to direct and to protect.

P. V. W. All that the rod in the hand of Moses meant to the people of Israel (see Exodus 15:16; 17:5) Christ Jesus is to us now, He who opened the sea for our deliverance from a worse bondage than Israel's. The staff occupies a large place in Scripture, and is a symbol of support and strength. For us, Christ is the reality of what the staff implies, to sustain the Christian through this life. Every other staff, every other confidence fails. Christ is the true Priest — not encompassed with infirmities as Aaron — Who can carry His people through the whole journey to the end. He is God's wisdom and resource for us, in all circumstances and in all things.

In Psalm 23, which has been a solace to the people of God throughout the centuries, the Psalmist says "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." The rod (or, sceptre) conveys the thought of correction and the staff that of support, but the comfort itself is experienced because both correction and support are known as in the company of the Shepherd, for the verse reads, "Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." As we pass through a scene unable of itself to yield any element of comfort, and filled as it is with all kinds of moral dangers, how comforting it is to know that the "Sceptre shall rise" and destroy all that is found in opposition to God and to His people (Numbers 24:17), and will also maintain that which is right and consistent with His own nature (Psalm 45:6).

But there is yet a fourth reason why we need fear no evil, for the Psalmist says, "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." The rod is for defence, and the staff is for support. Does the enemy make a last attack upon the believer as he enters the valley of death? Then let not the believer fear for the Lord is there with His rod to defend His sheep, and drive off the enemy. Is the sheep fearful by reason of his weakness in the presence of death? Let him not be discouraged, for the Lord is there with His staff to support.

"Your rod and your staff they comfort me." His rod is that of firm authority. A shepherd may use the rod for destroying or scattering enemies; thus, the believer does not need to fear his enemies. We are told also that in cases of a sheep being determined to wander, a shepherd may use his rod to break the sheep's leg, so that it may learn to be obedient. In such a case even chastening results in comfort.

What is the point of safety in this psalm? "Thou art with me". Here the sheep turn their eyes away from the dangers to the shepherd and his business was to deal with adversaries and foes, the grievous wolves. If sheep are in danger their safety is found in the shepherd. Have you every pondered the words, "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me"? That rod is something like a club, two foot long with a bulb on the end, perhaps a nail as well, a tremendous weapon against wild beasts, and if you are in the hands of a shepherd who loves you so much that he is prepared to give his life for you, you are safe, and that shepherd is Jesus. My dear friend, we can approach the valley of the shadow of death in all confidence. In the first three verses of Psalm 23 David speaks about the Shepherd - "the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want", but when he gets down to verse 4 he no longer talks about the Shepherd, he talks to the Shepherd - "Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me". Some connect the valley of the shadow of death only with the circumstances of death, but rather it seems to me that it represents the whole of our pathway, all is connected with danger, but safety is found in Him who is the Shepherd, the God of the valley.

Further on, we read that "Israel bowed himself on the staff." (This would appear to be the correct reading of Gen. 47:31. The LXX have it thus, as also the Apostle in Heb. 11. The difference is simply in the vowel points, which would alter the word from mittah to matteh.) A great contrast with the wagon is the staff, which is an emblem of the word of God, as the support and defence of the soul. There must be importance in this apparently slight action of Jacob's, or we should not have had it twice recorded. The staff is connected with the rod in Psalm 23, "Thy staff and Thy rod they comfort me:" that is, not only is the supporting staff comforting, but the chastening rod is so — being a proof of a Father's love and care. The fact is that now Jacob returns to the simplicity of entire dependence on God. In the midst of his prosperity he had said that with only his staff he had set out and crossed Jordan, and that since then he had got great wealth. Now he is going to leave it all and come back to the bare staff; leaning on that alone he worships God. As Antaeus, when brought to the ground, uprose with increased vigour received from its contact; so Jacob, now brought down to the staff, receives an exaltation of spiritual power which closes his troubled and pathetic life in lofty praises and far-reaching prophecies.

Finally the children of Israel were instructed to eat the passover with "your staff in your hand." This is the word of God, our unfailing prop and stay. "Scripture cannot be broken," for "Every scripture is divinely inspired and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, fully fitted to every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Solomon in the great day of the dedication of the house of Jehovah said, "Blessed be Jehovah who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised: there has not failed one word of all His good promises which He spoke through Moses His servant" (1 Kings 8:56). The word of God is referred to under various figures, but as the staff it speaks of that which alone can support us throughout our wilderness journey, "Eagle strength He'll still renew" through the medium of His precious word. The more we lean upon it, the more we shall prove its unfailing and enduring strength, until at last we reach "Canaan's long-loved dwelling."

Finally, they were to eat the passover with "your staff in your hand." The staff is God's word that supports our steps in the way He leads us. His promises are our prop and stay. We have but one staff, but it is unfailing. "Scripture cannot be broken." Lean upon it, fellow-Christian; the more you do, the more you will find its strength.