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Scepter

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Nave Topical Bible
• Scepter (Sceptre)
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• ῥάβδος
• חָקַק
• מַטֶּה
• שֵׁבֶט
•   (only first 3 shown)

The Hebrew word thus rendered in its primary signification denotes a staff of wood (), about the height of a man, which the ancient kings and chiefs bore as an insignia of honor (;;; Wisdom of Solomon 10:14; comp.;; ). As such it appears to have originated in the shepherd's staff, since the first kings were mostly nomad princes (Strabo, xvi. 783; comp. Psalms 29).

A golden scepter, that is, one washed or plated with gold, is mentioned in . Inclining the scepter was a mark of kingly favor (), and the kissing it a token of submission (). Saul appears to have carried his javelin as a mark of superiority (; ).