SCEPTER (שֵׁ֫בֶט, H8657, in some passages שַׁרְבִיט, H9222, in Esth; מַטֵּה־עֹ֔ז in Jer 48:17; cf. Ezek 19:11; Ps 110:2: מְחֹקֵ֖ק so rendered in Num 21:18; Ps 60:7; 108:8, ῥάβδος, G4811). Scepter is a specialized meaning of these words, all of which commonly denote an ordinary rod or may have some other meaning in particular contexts. Shebet has various meanings: (a) “a rod of correction,” common in Proverbs and Isaiah; (b) “a shepherd’s club” (Ps 23:4); sometimes a “club studded with iron” (cf. Ps 2:9; Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:15); (c) “a farmer’s flail” (Isa 28:27); (d) “a tribe” (Ps 74:2; 125:3 KJV). Maṭṭeh is contrasted with shebeṭ, meaning “scepter” (Isa 14:5) where it is simply a staff; but in Ezekiel 19:11 it is accompanied by ’oz implying strength, and is said to become the shebeṭ or scepter of rulers. The meaning scepter for this combination of words is also appropriate in Jeremiah 48:17 and Psalm 110:2. Mehogeg is a poetical word standing for “commander’s staff” or “scepter” (Gen 49:10; Num 21:18; Ps 60:7; 108:8). Rhabdos means a “traveler’s staff” (Matt 10:10; Mark 6:8; Luke 9:3); “a rod of correction” (1 Cor 4:21); Aaron’s rod (Heb 9:4); an “old man’s staff” (11:21); a “measuring rod” (Rev 11:1); but it stands for the “scepter of Christ” (Heb 1:8; Ps 45:6). Scepters were associated mainly with kings, but lesser officials sometimes carried a staff of office. In the OT, reference is made to the scepters of the rulers of Israel, Egypt, Moab, Damascus, Askelon, and Judah (Ps 60:7; 108:8; Jer 48:17; Ezek 19:11; Amos 1:5, 8; Zech 10:11). Two passages often regarded as Messianic associate a scepter with Israel’s future rulers (Gen 49:10; Num 24:17). The Rom. soldiers had the royal scepter in mind when they mockingly placed a reed in the hand of Jesus to represent it (Matt 27:29). Several passages in Esther illustrate a special use made of the scepter by the Pers. kings (Esth 4:11; 5:2; 8:4). Ahasuerus’ scepter is described as golden, meaning either that it was of solid gold or that it was gold-studded, like the scepters of the Homeric kings. Representations of Eastern kings show them holding two different kinds of scepter. One is long, slender, and ornamented; the other, shorter and mace-like. The former is seen on a limestone relief of Darius, who appears holding his scepter near the top, while the lower part of it rests on the ground. The latter type appears on a relief of Esar-haddon.