The Shepherd's Staff


...thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4c).

In biblical times the shepherd's staff had many purposes. The shepherd could use it to catch or lift sheep, especially lambs, from rough terrain. He could part heavy, dense growth with it, and wield it as a weapon against predators or enemies. He often used it as a walking stick when on long journeys, climbing or descending hills, or on treacherous ground.

And the Lord said unto him, What is in thine hand? And he said, A rod (Exodus 4:2).

The shepherd's crook could also be a form of identification. It not only told the occupation, but each shepherd made his own staff and had some sort of identifying mark or design carved on it. Most often biblical staffs were crooked at the top, but they could also be straight, and these were often called rods.

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks... (Proverbs 27:23a).

In artwork, Jesus is often pictured with a staff, showing He is our Good Shepherd. In fact, the shepherd's staff eventually came to symbolize high-ranking religious leaders and emphasize their responsibility to their flock. The Bible mentions shepherds over 200 times, and you can be sure their staff stood along with them.

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