The Hebrew matteh denotes both a staff or rod (a wooden walking stick or scepter) and, by extension, a tribe of Israel. The connection likely reflects the practice of each tribal leader carrying a staff as a symbol of authority. In the OT, the matteh appears as a tool of power, provision, judgment, and leadership.
The staff of Moses is central to the Exodus narrative — it becomes a serpent (Exodus 4:2–4), divides the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16), strikes the rock for water (Exodus 17:6), and is held aloft for victory in battle (Exodus 17:9–13). Aaron's matteh buds, blossoms, and produces almonds overnight (Numbers 17:8) — God's miraculous validation of Levitical priesthood. The matteh as tribe is equally important: the twelve tribes of Israel each had a staff, a territory, and a destiny. Revelation 7 envisions 12,000 sealed from each tribe — continuity through the matteh into eternity.