Emblem of authority. Exodus 4:2, etc., Moses'; Numbers 17, Aaron's; Psalms 2:9, Christ's. He will either rule with the pastoral rod, or break with the rod (scepter) of iron (Revelation 2:27; Revelation 19:15; Micah 6:9; Micah 7:14; Psalms 110:2; Isaiah 9:4; Isaiah 11:4).