rod
rhabdos denotes a tangible staff or rod, and in governing scenes an emblem or instrument of rule.
The attested use most often concerns a tangible staff or rod: an item discussed for travel, associated with Jacob and Aaron, or used in a measuring command. Other passages place it in scenes of kingship and rule, while 1 Corinthians 4:21 contrasts coming with it against coming with love and gentleness.
Senses in use
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Tangible staff, rod, or measuring implement · dominant
In Luke 9:3, Mark 6:8, and Matthew 10:10, the accusative singular form occurs among items for a journey, with the APB rendering the relevant item as “staff” or “rod.” Hebrews 11:21 places the genitive singular form in Jacob's worship over the head of his staff; Hebrews 9:4 names Aaron's rod among the ark's contents; and Revelation 11:1 gives a reed like a rod for measuring the temple and altar.
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Instrument or emblem of ruling power · common
Hebrews 1:8 uses the nominative singular form in the clause about the scepter of uprightness and the kingdom. In Revelation 2:27, Revelation 12:5, and Revelation 19:15, the dative singular form occurs in statements about shepherding the nations with an iron rod; Revelation 2:27 also compares the nations to clay vessels being broken.
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Rod contrasted with gentle coming · occasional
In 1 Corinthians 4:21, the dative singular form stands in the alternative of coming “with a rod” rather than with love and a spirit of gentleness. The verse presents the rod as a contrasting manner of coming, without further specifying its use.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term with “staff” in travel and Jacob scenes, “rod” in several other clauses, and “scepter” in Hebrews 1:8. These renderings reflect the surrounding verses, but the translation does not mark a one-to-one English equivalent for the Greek term.