Potent describes strong physical effects. Rod depicts power, dominion, and tyranny. Milton uses this term to reiterate the control Satan has over his army of angels. Satan is compared to a general which exemplifies his control over the angels. Milton's allusion to Moses is also exemplified in the term potent rod. Milton compares Satan to Moses who, using a potent rod, casts a number of plagues onto Egypt in order to punish the impious Pharaoh.