sceptre Summary and Overview

(Heb. shebet = Gr. skeptron), properly a staff or rod. As a symbol of authority, the use of the sceptre originated in the idea that the ruler was as a shepherd of his people (Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:17; Ps. 45:6; Isa. 14:5). There is no example on record of a sceptre having ever been actually handled by a Jewish king.

This word originally meant a rod or staff. It was thence specifically applied to the shepherd's crook, #Le 27:32; Mic 7:14| and to the wand or sceptre of a ruler. The allusions to it are all of a metaphorical character, and describe it simply as one of the insignia of supreme power. #Ge 49:10| We are consequently unable to describe the article from any biblical notice we may infer that it was probably made of wood. The sceptre of the Persian monarch is described as "golden" i.e. probably of massive gold. #Es 4:11|

SCEP'TRE , a wooden staff or wand, 5 or 6 feet long, usually overlaid with gold or decorated with golden rings, with an ornamented point. It was borne in the hands of kings and others in authority as a token of power. Gen 49:10; Num 24:17. When the sceptre was held out to be touched by an individual approaching the throne, it was a sign of the royal acceptance and favor. There is no biblical instance of a "sceptre being actually handled by a Jewish king. The term is used metaphorically. The use of a staff as a symbol of authority was not confined to kings; it might be used by any leader." - Smith.

shebet. ("Rod or staff of a ruler".) In Judges 5:14 translated "out of Zebulun marchers with the staff of the writer" or numberer, who levied and mustered the troops, so a leader in general. 2 Kings 25:19, "principal scribe of the host which mustered the people"; 2 Chronicles 26:11; Psalm 2:9, "thou shalt break them with a rod of iron." Whoever will not obey Thy loving sceptre, as the Good Shepherd, shall be crushed with an iron sceptre (Matthew 21:44; Daniel 2:34-35; Daniel 2:44). The iron kingdom Christ's iron sceptre shall break as clay. Psalm 125:3, "the sceptre of the wicked (world power; "Persia" at this time) shall not rest (permanently) upon the lot of the righteous," namely, on the Holy Land: a psalm written after the return from Babylon. Contrast Christ's "right sceptre" (Psalm 45:6; Isaiah 11:3-4).