Topical Encyclopedia
The term "scepter" in the Bible is a symbol of authority, power, and governance, often associated with kingship and divine rule. It is a staff or rod that signifies the right to rule and is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.
Old Testament References1.
Genesis 49:10: The scepter is first mentioned in the blessing of Jacob over his sons, specifically in the prophecy concerning Judah: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and the allegiance of the nations is his." This verse is significant as it foretells the enduring rule of the tribe of Judah, culminating in the coming of the Messiah, who is understood to be Jesus Christ in Christian theology.
2.
Numbers 24:17: In Balaam's prophecy, the scepter is again a symbol of future dominion: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise from Israel." This prophecy is often interpreted as a messianic prediction, pointing to the future king who will arise from Israel.
3.
Esther 4:11: The scepter also appears in the narrative of Esther, where it represents the king's favor and authority. Esther approaches King Xerxes, and the golden scepter is extended to her, signifying her acceptance and the king's willingness to hear her plea: "All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned has but one law: that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the golden scepter may he live."
4.
Psalm 45:6: The scepter is associated with righteousness and justice in the description of the divine king: "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom." This verse is often seen as a messianic psalm, pointing to the eternal reign of Christ.
New Testament References1.
Hebrews 1:8: The New Testament reaffirms the messianic interpretation of the scepter in the context of Christ's eternal kingship: "But about the Son He says: 'Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of Your kingdom.'" This passage quotes
Psalm 45:6, applying it directly to Jesus, emphasizing His divine authority and righteous rule.
Symbolism and InterpretationIn biblical symbolism, the scepter represents not only royal authority but also divine sanction and legitimacy. It is a powerful emblem of the rightful rule bestowed by God, often linked to the Davidic line and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The scepter signifies the continuity of God's covenant promises and the establishment of His kingdom through the Messiah.
Throughout Scripture, the scepter serves as a reminder of God's sovereign rule over the nations and His ultimate plan for redemption through the lineage of Judah, culminating in the reign of Christ. It underscores the themes of justice, righteousness, and divine authority that permeate the biblical narrative.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Alt. of Sceptre.
2. (v. t.) Alt. of Sceptre.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SCEPTRE; SCEPTERsep'-ter (shebheT, sharbhiT, expanded form inEsther 4:11;Esther 5:2;Esther 8:4; rhabdos (Additions to Esther 15:11;Hebrews 1:8), skeptros): A rod or mace used by a sovereign as a symbol of royal authority. The Hebrew shebheT is the ordinary word for rod or club, and is used of an ordinary rod (compare2 Samuel 7:14), of the shepherd's crook (Psalm 23:4), scribe's baton or marshal's staff (Judges 5:14), as well as of the symbol of royalty. Its symbolism may be connected with the use of the shebheT for protection (2 Samuel 23:21Psalm 23:4) or for punishment (Isaiah 10:24;Isaiah 30:31). It is used with reference to the royal line descended from Judah (Genesis 49:10), and figuratively of sovereignty in general and possibly of conquest (Numbers 24:17, in Israel;Isaiah 14:5, in Babylonia;Amos 1:5, 8, in Syria, among Philistines;Zechariah 10:11, in Egypt), the disappearance or cutting off of him that holdeth the scepter being tantamount to loss of national independence. The kingship of Yahweh is spoken of as a scepter (Psalm 45:6 (Hebrew verse 7) quoted inHebrews 1:8). The manner of using the scepter by an oriental monarch is suggested in the act of Ahasuerus, who holds it out to Esther as a mark of favor. The subject touches the top of it, perhaps simply as an act of homage or possibly to indicate a desire to be heard. The scepter of Ahasuerus is spoken of as "golden" (Esther 5:2), but it is probable that scepters were ordinarily made of straight branches (maTeh) of certain kinds of vines (Ezekiel 19:11, 14).
It is sometimes difficult to determine whether the word shebheT is used in figurative passages in the sense of scepter or merely in the ordinary sense of staff (e.g.Psalm 125:3, the King James Version "rod," the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version "sceptre" (of the wicked);Psalm 2:9, "rod of iron";Proverbs 22:8, "rod of his wrath"). Another word, mechoqeq, literally, "prescribing" (person or thing), formerly translated uniformly "lawgiver," is now generally taken, on the basis of parallelism, to mean "sceptre" in four poetic passages (Genesis 49:10, "ruler's staff" to avoid repetition;Numbers 21:18Psalm 60:7;Psalm 108:8).
Nathan Isaacs
Greek
4464. rhabdos -- a staff, rod... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: rhabdos Phonetic Spelling: (hrab'-dos) Short Definition:
a rod, staff Definition: a rod, staff, staff of authority,
scepter.
...Strong's Hebrew
7626. shebet -- rod, staff, club,scepter, tribe... rod, staff, club,
scepter, tribe. Transliteration: shebet Phonetic Spelling:
(shay'-bet) Short Definition: tribes.
... correction, dart, rod,
scepter, staff, tribe.
...8275. sharbit -- ascepter
... 8274, 8275. sharbit. 8276 . ascepter. Transliteration: sharbit Phonetic
Spelling: (shar-beet') Short Definition:scepter. Word...
4294. matteh -- a staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe
... from natah Definition a staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe NASB Word Usage branch
(3), branches (1), half-tribe* (13), rod (18), rods (6),scepter (2), spears...
2710. chaqaq -- to cut in, inscribe, decree
... 2), decree (1), decreed (1), enact (1), inscribe (2), inscribed (3), lawgiver (1),
marked (1), portrayed (1), ruler's (1), ruler's staff (1),scepter (3)....
Library
The Millennium in Relation to Christ.
... When Adam was created God said, "Let us make man in our image, and let them have
dominion." At the beginning, earth'sscepter was committed into the hands of...
The Name Jesus and Also the Name Christ were Known from the...
... 14. And not only Isaiah, but also David addresses him, saying, "Thy throne, O God,
is forever and ever. Ascepter of equity is thescepter of thy kingdom....
"Jesus or Barabbas. "
... him.". * * *. Ah, see the king that's crowned in scorn, What monarch such
a crown has worn Orscepter borne, and he so great? Ye...
Salvation.
... Thescepter is wrested from the cruel tyrant, sin, and righteousness in
quietness and peace sways thescepter, and man rejoices....
The Will.
... The desires of the heart sway theirscepter of power over the will, and it acts
to the granting the heart its wishes. This is a sad picture....
The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself.
... Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: thescepter of Thy Kingdom is a right
scepter" (Ps.45:3-6). He Comes as the "Faithful and True."....
The Agreement of this Doctrine in Its Parts
... Jacob, when at the point of death, foretold that this seed should come forth from
the lineage and family of Judah, in these words: "Thescepter shall not...
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
... Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His thescepter, His the throne; Alleluia! His the triumph,....
Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His thescepter, His the throne; Alleluia!...
The Coming of a Deliverer
... Thescepter shall not depart from Judah,. Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,....
There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and aScepter shall rise out of Israel,....
Hebrews i. 8-Jun
... of Kingly Office. "Ascepter of righteousness is thescepter of Thy kingdom."
Behold again another symbol of Royalty. Then again...
Thesaurus
Scepter (28 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Alt. of Sceptre. 2. (vt) Alt. of Sceptre.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SCEPTRE;
SCEPTER. sep
...Sceptre (20 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty; as, to assume
thescepter.... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SCEPTRE;SCEPTER....
Extended (40 Occurrences)
... 5:2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor
in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the goldenscepter that was in...
Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Hebrews 1:8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
Thescepter of uprightness is thescepter of your Kingdom. (WEB ASV DBY)....
Rod (138 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A kind ofscepter, or badge of office; hence, figuratively, power; authority;
tyranny; oppression. 4. (n.) A support for a fishing line; a fish pole....
Endures (75 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Psalms 45:6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. Ascepter
of equity is thescepter of your kingdom. (See RSV). Psalms...
Equity (19 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS). Psalms 45:6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. Ascepter
of equity is thescepter of your kingdom. (WEB JPS ASV RSV)....
Helmet (10 Occurrences)
... Ephraim also is the defense of my head. Judah is myscepter. (See NAS RSV NIV).... Ephraim
also is my helmet. Judah is myscepter. (WEB NAS RSV NIV)....
Forever (426 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The
scepter of uprightness is thescepter of your Kingdom. (WEB NAS)....
Tip (17 Occurrences)
... 5:2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor
in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the goldenscepter that was in...
Resources
What does it mean that the scepter will not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the scepter of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are all the different judgments in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgScepter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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