Bible Dictionary

Staff

A long stick or rod used for support, walking, or other purposes.

Quick Reference

Total Entries

368

Entry Position

321 of 368

Letter

S

Meaning

A long stick or rod used for support, walking, or other purposes.

Key Scriptures

  • Genesis 32:10
  • Genesis 38:18-25
  • Exodus 4:2-5
  • Exodus 7:9-20
  • Exodus 14:16
  • Exodus 17:5-9
  • Numbers 17:1-10
  • Numbers 20:8-11
  • 1 Samuel 17:40
  • Psalm 23:4
  • Psalm 110:2
  • Zechariah 11:7

Also Called

staff rod

Original Language

Hebrew

מַטֶּה

matteh

staff; rod; tribe

Greek

ῥάβδος

rhabdos

rod; staff

Meaning

A staff is a long stick or rod used for support, walking, or other purposes.


Biblical Usage

In Scripture, a staff was commonly carried by travelers, shepherds, and others.

It was also used as a symbol or instrument of authority and appears prominently in the accounts of Jacob, Judah, Moses, and Aaron.

The Hebrew word translated “staff” can also be translated “rod” and is used in some contexts for a tribe.


Key References

  • Genesis 32:10
  • Genesis 38:18-25
  • Exodus 4:2-5
  • Exodus 7:9-20
  • Exodus 14:16
  • Exodus 17:5-9
  • Numbers 17:1-10
  • Numbers 20:8-11
  • 1 Samuel 17:40
  • Psalm 23:4
  • Psalm 110:2
  • Zechariah 11:7

  • Rod
  • Shepherd
  • Authority
  • Walking
  • Moses
  • Aaron

Study More

Continue your Bible study by exploring related Scriptures, dictionary terms, and connected topics.

Scriptures

  • Genesis 32:10
  • Genesis 38:18-25
  • Exodus 4:2-5
  • Exodus 7:9-20
  • Exodus 14:16
  • Exodus 17:5-9
  • Numbers 17:1-10
  • Numbers 20:8-11
  • 1 Samuel 17:40
  • Psalm 23:4
  • Psalm 110:2
  • Zechariah 11:7

Related Terms

Study Topics