Comfort
“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps 23:4)
Many of us can recall seeing pictures of the ‘Jesus’ of the westernized
church system, carrying a staff with a ‘shepherd’s crook’ at the end of it,
supposedly tending his sheep – I always did have a problem with those
pictures. And in all reality, those
pictures have nothing to do with this verse.
Most commentators and bible theologians believe that the rod and the
staff is the same instrument. However,
the Hebrew word that has been translated as ‘rod’ is the word shêbeṭ (Strong’s H7626),
and means a rod, a staff, a club, a shaft, a sceptre, also a clan, or a
tribe. The most common uses of this word include
being used as a clan, or tribe (see Gen 49:28; Num 24:17; Ps 122:4); a means of
correction or chastisement (see 2Sam 7:14; Ps 2:9; Pro 13:24) and a scepter of
authority (see Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Ps 45:6).
The Hebrew word mish‛ênâh (Strong’s H4938) is the word for ‘staff’, and
literally means a walking stick, as a means of support. ‘Comfort’
has been translated from the word nâcham
(Strong’s H5162), and this is where I prefer Mr. Benner’s definition the best:
“Consolation in time of trouble or worry;
to give solace in time of difficulty or sorrow. The niphal (passive) form means repent.”[1] When we combine all of these words and their
meanings, how does this interpret for us?
I see some different thoughts coming here …
“Your (tribe,
the complete family of Israel) and Your (support), they (give me
consolation).”
“Your (correction
and chastening) with Your (support),
they (cause me to repent).”
“Your (scepter
of authority) and Your (support),
they (give me solace).”
This certainly leaves us with much to meditate on,
and much to be thankful for. The many
‘faces’ of our Elohim, as our Creator and Shepherd, become more evident to us
day by day, as He continues to lead us in those “paths of righteousness”.
“… being persuaded of this, that He who has
begun a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of יהושע
Messiah.” (Phi 1:6)
©2021
[1] Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the
Bible; ©2006 Ancient Hebrew Research Center; ISBN: 1589397762 Author: Jeff
Benner
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