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.
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.