The Hebrew word thus rendered in its primary signification denotes a staff of wood (Eze 19:11), about the height of a man, which the ancient kings and chiefs bore as an insignia of honor (Amo 1:5; Zec 10:11; Eze 19:11; Wisdom of Solomon 10:14; comp. Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Isa 14:5). 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 Eze 4:11. Inclining the scepter was a mark of kingly favor (Est 4:11), and the kissing it a token of submission (Est 5:2). Saul appears to have carried his javelin as a mark of superiority (1Sa 18:10; 1Sa 22:6).
See STAFF ("shebeṭ," "maṭṭch," etc.):
Gen 49:10 (b) Here is a symbol of the sovereignty of the Lord JESUS CHRIST who was to become King of kings, and Lord of lords. In a coming day JESUS CHRIST will rule the entire earth with a rod of iron.
Num 24:17 (a) This is a symbol also of the power and authority of CHRIST JESUS who will one day sit on the throne of David and will rule over not only Israel, but all other nations as well.
Isa 14:5 (a) This is a type of the power and authority of all wicked rulers on this earth. GOD will destroy them and CHRIST will reign.
Eze 19:11 (a) These strong rods made into scepters represent the self-made authority of Israel’s self-made rulers. GOD promised that He would destroy all these evil princes and sovereigns. (See also Eze 19:14).
A special stick carried by kings to
show their authority.