ROD, n. L. radius, ray, radix, root.
1. The shoot or long twig of any woody plant a branch, or the stem of a shrub as a rod of hazle, of birch, of oak or hickory. Hence,
2. An instrument of punishment or correction chastisement.
I will chasten him with the rod of men. 2 Samuel 7 . Proverbs 10 .
3. Discipline ecclesiastical censures. 1 Corinthians 4 .
4. A king of scepter.
The rod and bird of peace.
5. A pole for angling something long and slender.
6. An instrument for measuring but more generally, a measure of length containing five yards, or sixteen feet and a half a pole a perch. In many parts of the United States, rod is universally used for pole or perch.
7. In Scripture, a staff or wand. 1 Samuel 14 .
8. Support.
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23 .
9. A shepherd's crook. Leviticus 27 .
10. An instrument for threshing. Isaiah 28 .
11. Power authority. Psalms 125 .
12. A tribe or race. Psalms 74 .
Rod of iron, the mighty power of Christ. Revelation 19 . Psalms 2 .