A sceptre is a staff or rod that serves as a symbol of authority and power, often associated with royalty and governance. In biblical times, the sceptre was an emblem of leadership and dominion, frequently mentioned in the context of kingship and divine authority.

Old Testament References

The concept of the sceptre is introduced early in the Scriptures, notably in the blessings of Jacob over his sons. In Genesis 49:10 , Jacob prophesies over Judah, saying, "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 passage is significant as it foretells the enduring rule of the tribe of Judah, culminating in the coming of the Messiah, who Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

In the book of Numbers, the sceptre is again mentioned in Balaam's prophecy: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17). This prophecy is often interpreted as a messianic prediction, pointing to a future ruler who will emerge from Israel.

The sceptre also appears in the context of the Persian Empire, as seen in the book of Esther. When Queen Esther approaches King Xerxes unsummoned, her life is at risk unless the king extends his golden sceptre to her, signifying his favor and granting her permission to speak (Esther 4:11, 5:2). This act underscores the sceptre's role as a symbol of royal authority and the power to grant life or death.

New Testament Symbolism

While the New Testament does not frequently mention sceptres, the imagery is carried forward in the depiction of Christ's eternal reign. Hebrews 1:8 quotes Psalm 45:6, affirming the divine authority of the Son: "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom." This verse highlights the righteous rule of Christ, whose sceptre symbolizes justice and eternal dominion.

Symbolic Meaning

Throughout the Bible, the sceptre is emblematic of legitimate rule and divine sanction. It represents the authority bestowed by God upon leaders, particularly those from the line of David, which is central to the messianic hope in Christian theology. The sceptre signifies not only political power but also the moral and spiritual authority that comes from God.

In summary, the sceptre in biblical literature serves as a powerful symbol of authority, prophecy, and divine promise, pointing ultimately to the sovereignty of Christ as the King of Kings.

Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the ...
... myself unto thy father's house, when they were in the land of Egypt slaves in Pharaoh's
house; and I chose thy father's house out of all the sceptres of Israel ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of those things which.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... They have no sin to taint or defile their robes. In these robes they shall shine
as the angels. 3 Kings have their Sceptres in token of rule and greatness. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church.
... saying, "Take thee ten pieces; for thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will rend the
kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give ten sceptres unto thee; and ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise i on the unity.htm

Publishers' Preface to the Second Revised Edition.
... are a deceit and a snare; that one sigh for Eternity, one moment spent in the service
of God, purchase greater glory than all the crowns and sceptres of earth ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/publishers preface to the second.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... Sovereign, can bear us witness with what lying calumnies it is daily traduced in
your presence, as aiming at nothing else than to wrest the sceptres of kings ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

Truce with Persia. Honorius and Stilicho. Transactions in Rome and ...
... Stilicho then took that one of the sceptres which the Romans call Labarum, obtained
some letters from the emperor, with which he set out, at the head of four ...
/.../chapter iv truce with persia honorius.htm

The Glory of Christ in Heaven.
... 3[[Princes to his imperial Name Bend their bright sceptres down, Dominions,
thrones, and powers rejoice To see him wear the crown.]. ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 146527778 the glory of.htm

That the Soul Shineth of Itself is Equally Manifest
... it, feed it with pleasures, honours, and caresses, do all things for its sake, esteem
gold and pearl but dross in comparison, lay crowns and sceptres at its ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/85 that the soul shineth.htm

Entering Thus Far into the Nature of the Sun
... its uses. The air is better being a living miracle as it now is than if
it were crammed and filled with crowns and sceptres. The ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/12 entering thus far into.htm

You Never Enjoy the World Aright
... as you. Till you can sing and rejoice and delight in God, as misers do
in gold, and Kings in sceptres, you never enjoy the world. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/29 you never enjoy the.htm

Sceptres (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sceptres (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 19:11 And she
had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and ...
/s/sceptres.htm - 6k

Sceva (1 Occurrence)

/s/sceva.htm - 9k

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)

/s/sceptre.htm - 17k

Tendrils (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 19:11 And it had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and
their stature was exalted among the thick boughs, and they were seen in their ...
/t/tendrils.htm - 7k

Tahpanhes (7 Occurrences)
... and Ezekiel can speak of its "daughters" (colonies or suburban towns), and names
it with Heliopolis and Bubastis when the "yokes Septuagint "sceptres") of Egypt ...
/t/tahpanhes.htm - 14k

Ruler's (13 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 19:11 And it hath strong rods for sceptres of rulers, And high is its stature
above thick branches, And it appeareth in its height In the multitude of ...
/r/ruler's.htm - 10k

Conspicuous (11 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 19:11 And it had strong rods for sceptres of them that bear rule, and its
stature was exalted between the thick boughs; and it was conspicuous by its ...
/c/conspicuous.htm - 10k

Strongest (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 19:11 And it hath strong rods for sceptres of rulers, And high is its stature
above thick branches, And it appeareth in its height In the multitude of ...
/s/strongest.htm - 9k

Shoots (32 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 19:11 And it hath strong rods for sceptres of rulers, And high is its stature
above thick branches, And it appeareth in its height In the multitude of ...
/s/shoots.htm - 15k

Appeareth (31 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 19:11 And it hath strong rods for sceptres of rulers, And high is its stature
above thick branches, And it appeareth in its height In the multitude of ...
/a/appeareth.htm - 15k

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