Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the term "stick" often referred to a piece of wood or a branch, which held various symbolic and practical uses throughout Scripture. The Hebrew word often translated as "stick" is "maqqel" or "matteh," which can also mean staff or rod, depending on the context.Symbolic Uses: 1. Authority and Leadership: Sticks or rods were frequently symbols of authority and leadership. In Exodus 4:2, God asks Moses, "What is that in your hand?" to which Moses replies, "A staff." This staff becomes a symbol of divine authority as Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt. Similarly, Aaron's rod, which budded, was a sign of his God-given authority (Numbers 17:8). 2. Judgment and Discipline: Sticks were also used as instruments of judgment or discipline. Proverbs 13:24 states, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." Here, the rod symbolizes correction and guidance, emphasizing the importance of discipline in child-rearing. 3. Miraculous Signs: Sticks were used in miraculous events, demonstrating God's power. In Exodus 7:10, Aaron's staff becomes a serpent before Pharaoh, showcasing God's supremacy over the Egyptian magicians. Similarly, in 2 Kings 6:6, Elisha uses a stick to make an iron axe head float, illustrating God's intervention in the natural world. Practical Uses: 1. Support and Defense: Shepherds commonly used sticks or staffs for support and defense. Psalm 23:4 mentions, "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me," highlighting the protective and guiding role of a shepherd's staff, which is a metaphor for God's care and guidance. 2. Construction and Fuel: Sticks were used in construction and as fuel for fire. In 1 Kings 17:10-12, the widow of Zarephath is gathering sticks to prepare a final meal for herself and her son, illustrating the basic and essential use of sticks in daily life. 3. Measurement and Division: Sticks were sometimes used as tools for measurement or division. In Ezekiel 37:16-17, God instructs the prophet to take two sticks and write on them, symbolizing the reunification of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Cultural and Historical Context: In the ancient Near East, sticks and staffs were integral to daily life, serving both functional and symbolic purposes. They were tools of shepherds, symbols of authority for leaders, and instruments in religious rituals. The biblical use of sticks often transcends their physical properties, pointing to deeper spiritual truths and divine interventions. Theological Implications: The use of sticks in the Bible often points to God's authority, provision, and guidance. Whether through the miraculous transformation of a staff or the comforting presence of a shepherd's rod, sticks serve as tangible reminders of God's interaction with His people. They illustrate themes of leadership, discipline, and divine power, reinforcing the belief in a God who is actively involved in the lives of His followers. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A small shoot, or branch, separated, as by a cutting, from a tree or shrub; also, any stem or branch of a tree, of any size, cut for fuel or timber.2. (v. t.) Any long and comparatively slender piece of wood, whether in natural form or shaped with tools; a rod; a wand; a staff; as, the stick of a rocket; a walking stick. 3. (v. t.) Anything shaped like a stick; as, a stick of wax. 4. (n.) A derogatory expression for a person; one who is inert or stupid; as, an odd stick; a poor stick. 5. (n.) A composing stick. See under Composing. It is usually a frame of metal, but for posters, handbills, etc., one made of wood is used. 6. (n.) A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab. 7. (n.) To penetrate with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to stab; hence, to kill by piercing; as, to stick a beast. 8. (n.) To cause to penetrate; to push, thrust, or drive, so as to pierce; as, to stick a needle into one's finger. 9. (n.) To fasten, attach, or cause to remain, by thrusting in; hence, also, to adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing; as, to stick a pin on the sleeve. 10. (n.) To set; to fix in; as, to stick card teeth. 11. (n.) To set with something pointed; as, to stick cards. 12. (n.) To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale; as, to stick an apple on a fork. 13. (n.) To attach by causing to adhere to the surface; as, to stick on a plaster; to stick a stamp on an envelope; also, to attach in any manner. 14. (n.) To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick; as, to stick type. 15. (n.) To run or plane (moldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such moldings are said to be stuck. 16. (n.) To cause to stick; to bring to a stand; to pose; to puzzle; as, to stick one with a hard problem. 17. (n.) To impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat. 18. (v. i.) To adhere; as, glue sticks to the fingers; paste sticks to the wall. 19. (v. i.) To remain where placed; to be fixed; to hold fast to any position so as to be moved with difficulty; to cling; to abide; to cleave; to be united closely. 20. (v. i.) To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of some obstacle; to be stayed. 21. (v. i.) To be embarrassed or puzzled; to hesitate; to be deterred, as by scruples; to scruple; -- often with at. 22. (v. i.) To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation. Greek 5434. phruganon -- a dry stick ... a dry stick. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: phruganon Phonetic Spelling: (froo'-gan-on) Short Definition: a dry stick for burning Definition: a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5434.htm - 6k 4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare ... 4475. rhapisma -- a blow (with a stick or the palm of the hand) 2043. ereido -- to prop, to fix firmly 2777. kephalis -- a little head, a roll 3586. xulon -- wood 2853. kollao -- to glue, unite 1385. dokos -- a beam of timber 2925. krouo -- to strike 4464. rhabdos -- a staff, rod Strong's Hebrew 2950. taphal -- to smear, plaster over, stick, glue... taphal. 2951 . to smear, plaster over, stick, glue. Transliteration: taphal Phonetic Spelling: (taw-fal') Short Definition: forged. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/2950.htm - 6k 6086. ets -- tree, trees, wood 1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close 8192. shaphah -- to sweep bare 1695. dabeq -- a clinging, cleaving 7110b. qetseph -- probably a splinter 8205. shephi -- bareness, a smooth or bare height 4731. maqqel -- a rod, staff 3920. lakad -- to capture, seize, take 5181. nacheth -- to go down, descend Library Of the Dry Stick Which, at the Bidding of his Senior, Abbot John ... When Lord Morley Said that the House of Lords must be Either ... Cast Your Eye Round the Room in which You Sit... Rash Decisions. Dialogue Between a Gentleman and a Shepherd. Whether Consent is to be Found in Irrational Animals? An Instructive Truth The Struggle for Life The Scaffolding Left in the Body The Necessity of Other Preparatory Acts Besides Faith Thesaurus Stick (47 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) Any long and comparatively slender piece of wood, whether in natural form or shaped with tools; a rod; a wand; a staff; as, the stick of a rocket; a ... /s/stick.htm - 23k Ox-stick (1 Occurrence) Candle-stick (1 Occurrence) Ephraim's (14 Occurrences) Associated (9 Occurrences) Staff (91 Occurrences) Cling (35 Occurrences) Companions (58 Occurrences) Judah's (18 Occurrences) Bastinado Resources How can a friend stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about smudging? | GotQuestions.org I am a Hindu, why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.org Stick: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Stick (47 Occurrences)Matthew 10:10 Matthew 27:48 Mark 6:8 Mark 15:19 Mark 15:36 Luke 9:3 John 19:29 Hebrews 11:21 Genesis 32:10 Genesis 38:18 Genesis 38:25 Exodus 21:19 Numbers 22:27 Deuteronomy 23:13 Judges 6:21 Judges 15:4 1 Samuel 17:40 2 Samuel 23:21 2 Kings 4:31 2 Kings 6:6 1 Chronicles 11:23 Job 19:20 Job 33:21 Job 38:38 Job 41:17 Job 41:29 Psalms 38:2 Psalms 102:5 Psalms 137:6 Isaiah 10:15 Isaiah 10:24 Isaiah 14:5 Isaiah 28:27 Isaiah 57:4 Lamentations 4:8 Ezekiel 3:26 Ezekiel 21:10 Ezekiel 29:4 Ezekiel 37:16 Ezekiel 37:17 Ezekiel 37:19 Hosea 4:12 Hosea 10:7 Amos 4:11 Zechariah 3:2 Zechariah 8:4 Zechariah 12:6 Subtopics Related Terms |