Original Word: מַקֵּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: maqqel
Pronunciation: mahk-kale' or mahk-kay-lah'
Phonetic Spelling: (mak-kale;)
KJV: rod, ((hand-))staff
NASB: rods, staff, stick, rod, staffs, sticks, wand
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning apparently to germinate]

1. a shoot, i.e. stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining)

rod, handstaff

Or (feminine) maqqlah {mak-kel-aw'}; from an unused root meaning apparently to germinate; a shoot, i.e. Stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining) -- rod, ((hand-))staff.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a rod, staff
NASB Translation
rod (1), rods (6), staff (5), staffs (1), stick (2), sticks (1), wand (1), war clubs (1).

מַקֵּל noun masculine^{Zechariah 11:7} (apparently feminine Genesis 30:37, where בָּהֶן, but Samaritan בָּהֶם) rod, staff (√ dubious; Thes assumes √ מקל sprout; Schw^{ZAW xi. 1891, 170f.} from קלל = shake, with reference to oracle of the lot (compare קִלְקַל בַּחִצִּים Ezekiel 21:36); Barth^{ZMG xii.1887, 616} gives √ קל, and compare stick driven by another, in sport; Frä^{ZA iii. 52}, compare Ethiopic growth, stem, palm-tree (interchange of ב and מ)); — ׳מ absolute Numbers 22:27; construct Jeremiah 1:11 2t., מַקַּל Genesis 30:37; suffix מַקְלִי Genesis 32:11 2t.; מַקְלוֺ 1 Samuel 17:40; Hosea 4:12; מַקֶּלְכֶם Exodus 12:11; plural absolute מַקְלוֺת Genesis 30:37 6t.; —

1 branch of tree as rod, stick, used by Jacob in breeding his flocks, Genesis 30:37 (לִבְנֶה לַח ׳מ), Genesis 30:37; Genesis 30:38; Genesis 30:39; Genesis 30:41; Genesis 30:41; of symbolic rod (שָׁקֵד ׳מ almond-rod) in Jeremiah's vision Jeremiah 1:11; symbolic rods or staves, with names, used by prophets Zechariah 11:7,10,14; figurative of Moab תִּבְּאָרָה ׳מ Jeremiah 48:17 ("" מַטֵּהעֹֿז).

2 staff, used in journeying Genesis 32:11; Exodus 12:11; 1 Samuel 17:40 compare 1 Samuel 17:43; carried even when riding Numbers 22:27; so also מַקֵּל יָד Ezekiel 39:9 (= riding-stick) according to Hi Da Berthol; < a weapon ( + מָגֵּן, צִנָּה, קֶשֶׁת, חִצִּים, רֹמַח.

3 wand of diviner Hosea 4:12.

Basic Range of Meaning

The noun מַקֵּל refers to a stick cut from a tree and fashioned for varied purposes—shepherding, walking, striking, divining, measuring, ceremonial symbolism, and prophecy. Its occurrences span patriarchal narrative, Exodus deliverance, monarchy, prophetic oracles, and eschatological vision.

Daily Tool of Pilgrims and Shepherds

Jacob’s life book-ends with a staff. At Haran he uses fresh “rods of poplar, almond, and plane” to influence the flock (Genesis 30:37-41); decades later he reminds God, “I crossed over this Jordan with only my staff” (Genesis 32:10). Both scenes stress humble dependence and God’s enlarging grace. David likewise approaches Goliath “with his staff in his hand” (1 Samuel 17:40), the ordinary implement of a shepherd that underlines the LORD’s power through weakness (compare Psalm 23:4).

Sign of Urgency and Exodus Readiness

On Passover night Israel must eat “with your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in haste” (Exodus 12:11). The staff in hand pictures faith that already counts God’s promise fulfilled; the pilgrim nation is poised to move the moment God acts.

Instrument of Correction and Judgment

Balaam’s beating of his donkey with a staff (Numbers 22:27) brings immediate divine rebuke, foreshadowing judgment upon misguided spiritual leaders. Prophets extend this motif:
• “How broken is the mighty scepter, the glorious staff!” over Moab (Jeremiah 48:17) exposes the collapse of human pride.
• In the eschaton the weapons of Gog become fuel: “clubs and spears” are burned for seven years (Ezekiel 39:9), announcing total and irreversible victory.

Prophetic Revelations and Callings

When commissioned, Jeremiah sees “a branch of an almond tree” (Jeremiah 1:11). The almond is the earliest bloomer in Israel; the rod therefore pledges that God will watch over His word to perform it quickly. The staff here is an object-lesson in divine vigilance and faithfulness.

Symbolic Staffs of Covenant and Unity

Zechariah shepherds a flock with two named staffs: “Favor” (No‘am) and “Union” (Ḥobhelim). Breaking the first “revoked the covenant” (Zechariah 11:10); breaking the second “broke the brotherhood between Judah and Israel” (Zechariah 11:14). The acted parable warns of judgment yet also frames the gospel hope that the rejected Shepherd will ultimately reunite and favor His people (compare Zechariah 12–14).

Warning against Idolatrous Divination

“My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them” (Hosea 4:12). The same simple stick that in godly hands guides or protects becomes, in apostasy, a tool for counterfeit revelation. The verse exposes the futility of seeking guidance apart from God’s word.

Echoes in Pastoral Ministry

The staff remains a pastoral metaphor for spiritual oversight (Micah 7:14; 1 Peter 5:2-4). Christ, the Good Shepherd, wields the staff in perfect care (John 10). Leaders today are called to guide, protect, and, when necessary, correct—never as Balaam for gain, but as David for God’s honor.

Eschatological Consummation

Ezekiel 39 and Zechariah 11 together frame a prophecy-fulfillment arc: weapons turned to fuel and broken staffs anticipate that day when “nation shall not lift up sword against nation” (Isaiah 2:4). The humble stick, once used for warfare and discipline, will find its final rest in the peace secured by the Messiah.

Ministry Takeaways

• God delights to employ ordinary means—a shepherd’s staff—to accomplish extraordinary ends.
• The staff can bless or curse; its effect depends on alignment with God’s purposes.
• Leaders are stewards, not owners, of the flock; the staff entrusted to them must mirror the character of the Chief Shepherd.
• Every believer, walking in pilgrimage, carries the spiritual equivalent of Jacob’s staff: tangible testimony of where God found us and how far He has brought us.

בְמַקְלִ֗י בַּמַּקְל֑וֹת בַּמַּקְלֽוֹת׃ בַּמַּקֵּֽל׃ במקל׃ במקלות במקלות׃ במקלי הַמַּקְל֑וֹת הַמַּקְל֛וֹת הַמַּקְלֽוֹת׃ הַמַּקְלוֹת֙ המקלות המקלות׃ וּבְמַקֵּ֥ל וּמַקְל֖וֹ וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם ובמקל ומקלו ומקלכם מַקְל֗וֹת מַקְל֜וֹ מַקְלִ֣י מַקְלִי֙ מַקֵּ֖ל מַקֵּ֥ל מַקַּ֥ל מקל מקלו מקלות מקלי bam·maq·lō·wṯ bam·maq·qêl bammakKel bammakLot bammaqlōwṯ bammaqqêl ḇə·maq·lî ḇəmaqlî ham·maq·lō·wṯ hammakLot hammaqlōwṯ makKal makKel makLi makLo makLot maq·lî maq·lō·wṯ maq·lōw maq·qal maq·qêl maqlî maqlōw maqlōwṯ maqqal maqqêl ū·ḇə·maq·qêl ū·maq·lōw ū·maq·qel·ḵem ūḇəmaqqêl umakkelChem umakLo ūmaqlōw ūmaqqelḵem uvemakKel vemakLiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts