Sceptre

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

This word in Scripture language seems to be intended for much more than is generally annexed to the term in ordinary speech. By sceptre we connect with the idea some insignia, or staff of office; but as the same word is used in Scripture in a very different sense as well, it certainly merits our attention, may not confine it to the one meaning take it in both. It is well known that the word Shebeth, which is translated sceptre in the memorable prophecy of the dying patriarch Jacob when declaring that "the sceptre should not depart, from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until the Shiloh should come," (Genesis 49:10) is also translated, Judges 5:14, pen. The whole passage is. "Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen (Shebeth) of the writer." So that the word, it should seem, is equally to be used for sceptre or pen.

Now if I mistake not (and if I do, may the Lord pardon the unintentional error), there is an uncommon beauty in the word, as used in both places, in reference to the Lord Jesus. Why may not both his regal office, and his prophetical office, be supposed as implied? The sceptre of Judah, and the pen of Zebulun, both might bear part in reference to Christ. The prophet Isaiah was commissioned to tell the church, "that the dimness should not be such as was in her vexation when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali." But at the coming of him whom the prophet was about to speak of, "the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shined." (Isaiah 9:1, etc.) And whosoever compares what Isaiah hath said in this chapter with Matthew 4:13-16, will I think conclude that the Shebeth of Judah, and the Shebeth of Zebulun, are only beautiful duplicates, under different views of office, both pointing to the Lord Jesus, and only applicable to him. I beg the reader to observe that I do not speak decidedly upon the subject—I only venture to offer what hath been said by way of conjecture. Of one thing I am very sure: the Old Testament well as the New, is full of Christ; and it is blessed to catch a glimpse of him in places where we least expected. See Shiloh

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

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; Psalms 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. Psalms 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" (Psalms 45:6; Isaiah 11:3-4).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

One of the distinguishing insignia of royalty: a rod or staff of dignity. It was held out by the king to Esther. Esther 4:11 , etc. The prophecy that "the sceptre shall not depart from Judah . . . . until SHILOH come," refers to Christ as 'the Prince of Peace.' Genesis 49:10 . The sceptre is not now wielded by Judah while the people are Lo-ammi, but their supremacy will be renewed when the purpose of God is fulfilled. Many passages speak of Christ sitting upon the throne of David, and reigning till His enemies are cast beneath His feet. A sceptre of righteousness will be the sceptre of His kingdom. Numbers 24:17; Psalm 45:6; Isaiah 14:5; Ezekiel 19:11,14; Amos 1:5,8; Zechariah 10:11; Hebrews 1:8 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Sceptre. This word originally meant a rod or staff. It was, thence, specifically applied to the shepherd's crook, Leviticus 27:32; Micah 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. Genesis 49:10. We are, consequently, unable to describe the article from any biblical notice; but we may infer that it was, probably, made of wood. The sceptre of the Persian monarch is described as "golden" that is, probably of massive gold. Esther 4:11.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

a word derived from the Greek, properly signifies, a rod of command, a staff of authority, which is supposed to be in the hands of kings, governors of a province, or of the chief of a people, Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 14:5 . The sceptre is put for the rod of correction, and for the sovereign authority that punishes and humbles, Psalms 2:9; Proverbs 22:15 . The term sceptre is frequently used for a tribe, probably because the prince of each tribe carried a sceptre, or a wand of command, to show his dignity.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SCEPTRE , as tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of shçbel , may stand either for a short ornamental sceptre such as appears in some representations of the Assyrian king, or for a long staff reaching to the ground, which characterizes some portrayals of the Persian monarchs. The long sceptre is simply an ornamented staff , the short one is a development of the Club or mace . On Genesis 49:10 See Lawgiver and Shiloh. On the difficulty of approaching the presence of the Persian kings referred to in Esther 4:11 , cf. also Herod. iii. 118, 140.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A "rod" or decorated staff, sometimes six feet long, borne by kings and magistrates as a symbol of authority, Genesis 49:10 Numbers 24:17 Esther 4:11 5:2 Isaiah 14:5 Zechariah 10:11 . See Rod .

Webster's Dictionary

(1):

(n.) Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty; as, to assume the scepter.

(2):

(n.) A staff or baton borne by a sovereign, as a ceremonial badge or emblem of authority; a royal mace.

(3):

(v. t.) To endow with the scepter, or emblem of authority; to invest with royal authority.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Genesis 49:10Numbers 24:17Psalm 45:6Isaiah 14:5

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Sceptre'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/sceptre.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

The symbol of royal power, power to command and compel, originally a club, the crown being the symbol of dominion.