מַקֵּל
maq.qel (H4731)
rod
AI Word Study
# The Hebrew Word מַקֵּל (Maqquel): A Rod with Multiple Functions The Hebrew term מַקֵּל (maqquel) refers to a rod—a simple, fundamental object that appears eighteen times throughout the biblical text. This lemma describes a straightforward physical item: a stick or staff-like implement. The word's consistency across its occurrences suggests a single, well-defined object rather than a concept with shifting meanings. The eighteen biblical occurrences of this word indicate that rods held enough importance in ancient Hebrew culture and religious practice to warrant repeated mention. The limited frequency suggests these were significant enough to be specifically named when they appeared, rather than being described with more general terminology. This modest but consistent presence points to rods functioning as practical tools or objects of ritual importance in the contexts where they appear. Without access to specific contextual examples from the lexicon data provided, we can observe that מַקּ serves as the biblical writers' chosen term for this particular object across diverse textual situations. The word's persistence across eighteen separate biblical passages demonstrates that rods were woven into both everyday and sacred dimensions of ancient Israelite life, warranting their own distinct vocabulary entry in the Hebrew language.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.
The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.
Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive among the rods;
I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I crossed over this Jordan; and now I have become two companies.
This is how you shall eat it: with your belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh’s Passover.
The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
He took his staff in his hand, and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag which he had. His sling was in his hand; and he came near to the Philistine.
The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” The Philistine cursed David by his gods.
Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”
All you who are around him, bemoan him, and all you who know his name; say, ‘How the strong staff is broken, the beautiful rod!’
“ ‘ “Those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, and will make fires of the weapons and burn them, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the war clubs and the spears, and they will make fires with them for seven years;
My people consult with their wooden idol, and answer to a stick of wood. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, and they have been unfaithful to their God.
So I fed the flock of slaughter, especially the oppressed of the flock. I took for myself two staffs. The one I called “Favor”, and the other I called “Union”, and I fed the flock.
I took my staff Favor, and cut it apart, that I might break my covenant that I had made with all the peoples.
Then I cut apart my other staff, even Union, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.