Aaron's rod

noun

1. (in the Bible) a rod, inscribed with the name of Aaron, that miraculously blossomed and yielded almonds: previously, the rod had changed into a serpent.
2. any of various plants having a tall, flowering stem, as the goldenrod or mullein.
3. a smooth-stemmed herb, Thermopsis villosa (or T. caroliniana ), of the legume family, found from North Carolina to Georgia, having yellow flowers in stiffly erect clusters and hoary pods.
4. Architecture. a convex molding having regularly spaced representations of leaves or scrollwork.

Aaron's rod

noun

1. the rod used by Aaron in performing a variety of miracles in Egypt. It later blossomed and produced almonds (Numbers 17)
2. a widespread Eurasian scrophulariaceous plant, Verbascum thapsus, having woolly leaves and tall erect spikes of yellow flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aaron's rod¹

First recorded in 1825–35 for non-Biblical use

Example Sentences

The must-see items included “Aaron’s rod, the tablets of the law given to Moses . . . the entire house in which Mary was conceived and nurtured, and a phial of her milk,” as well as “the manger in which Christ once lay” and “the rope Judas had used to hang himself.”

From Washington Post

It is also said to contain other Biblical items such as Aaron’s rod, which is thought to have magical powers.

From Fox News

They break through the sunflowers toward the cottage, stepping through Aaron’s rod, wild carrot, all the leaves browned from frost.

From Literature

In a bundle tied up separately they found some choice specimens such as Powdered Crackers, Sacred Mandarins, Aaron’s Rod, Yankee Doodle Doos, and Giant Torpedos.

From Project Gutenberg

“Come on,” shouted Fons, seizing Aaron’s rod and swinging it gayly.

From Project Gutenberg