Bible Dictionary
STAFF
A staff is a walking stick, shepherd’s rod, support, or symbol of authority. Scripture also uses the term for the poles carried with the ark and other holy furnishings, and figuratively for essential support.
Definition
A staff is a stick or rod used for walking, shepherding, support, or authority. The word may also describe the carrying poles of sacred furnishings and, figuratively, something indispensable for sustaining life.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of a staff in the hand, a shepherd’s staff, and the “staff of bread” as a support of life. The New Testament uses the word for a staff carried by travelers. The staves of the ark are treated separately as carrying poles.
Historical Background
Several Hebrew words underlie the English term, including words for a branch, rod, shepherd’s staff, and bar. The poles of the ark and other tabernacle furnishings were distinct from ordinary staffs.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>staf: Many Hebrew terms are represented by this word. The "staves" of the ark translate the word 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, figuratively, "staff of bread" (matteh, Eze 4:16; 5:16; 14:13), as indispensable for support of life, are dealt with under ROD (which see). The New Testament word is rhabdos (Mt 10:10 parallel Lu 9:3; Heb 11:21).</p><p>See also SCEPTRE.</p>