Rod, staff, scepter, tribe
2314 שׁבט (šbṭ) . Assumed root of the following. 2314a שֵׁבֶט (šēbeṭ) rod, staff. 2314b שַׁרְבִּיט (šarbîṭ) dart, spear. שֵׁבֶט (šēbeṭ) . Rod, staff, scepter, tribe. This noun commonly denotes a rod. It was used for beating cumin ( Isa 28:27 ), as a weapon ( II Sam 23:21 ), and as a shepherd’s implement either to muster or count sheep ( Lev 27:32; Ezk 20:37 ), or to protect them ( Ps 23:4; Mic 7:14 ). In Ps 23:4 it is used metaphorically of the Lord’s protection of his servant as he walks in paths of righteousness. The rod was also used as an instrument for either remedial or penal punishment. As a corrective instrument it was used for a slave ( Ex 21:20 ), a fool ( Prov 10:13; 26:3 ), and a son ( Prov 13:24; 22:15; 23:13–14; 29:15 ). In Prov it is the symbol of discipline, and failure to use the preventive disci...