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 References 1. 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 References 1. 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 Interpretation In 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.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SCEPTRE; SCEPTERsep'-ter (shebheT, sharbhiT, expanded form in Esther 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 (compare 2 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 23:21 Psalm 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 in Hebrews 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). 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. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4464.htm - 6k 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. ... /hebrew/7626.htm - 6k 8275. sharbit -- a scepter 4294. matteh -- a staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe 2710. chaqaq -- to cut in, inscribe, decree Library The Millennium in Relation to Christ. The Name Jesus and Also the Name Christ were Known from the ... "Jesus or Barabbas. " Salvation. The Will. The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself. The Agreement of this Doctrine in Its Parts Alleluia! Sing to Jesus The Coming of a Deliverer Hebrews i. 8-Jun 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 ... /s/scepter.htm - 18k Sceptre (20 Occurrences) Extended (40 Occurrences) Uprightness (46 Occurrences) Rod (138 Occurrences) Endures (75 Occurrences) Equity (19 Occurrences) Helmet (10 Occurrences) Forever (426 Occurrences) Tip (17 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean that the scepter will not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the scepter of God? | GotQuestions.org What are all the different judgments in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Scepter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Scepter (28 Occurrences)Hebrews 1:8 Revelation 2:27 Revelation 12:5 Revelation 19:15 Genesis 49:10 Numbers 21:18 Numbers 24:17 Esther 4:11 Esther 5:2 Esther 8:4 Psalms 2:9 Psalms 45:6 Psalms 60:7 Psalms 89:44 Psalms 108:8 Psalms 110:2 Psalms 125:3 Isaiah 14:5 Isaiah 30:31 Jeremiah 48:17 Ezekiel 19:11 Ezekiel 19:14 Ezekiel 21:10 Ezekiel 21:13 Amos 1:5 Amos 1:8 Micah 7:14 Zechariah 10:11 Subtopics Scepter (Sceptre): A Symbol of Authority Scepter (Sceptre): Made of Gold Scepter (Sceptre): Made of Iron Related Terms |