Description and usage
The scepter was a decorated rod, often made at least partially of a precious metal, symbolizing the authority of the ruler. The ruler held the scepter when he was engaged in certain aspects of his office. See also Rod, club, shepherd’s staff.
Translation
In languages where a chief’s authority is symbolized by an object associated with him (such as a cane, stool, or scepter), such symbols of authority can often be used in translation; for example, PSA 45:7 may be rendered “Your ceremonial staff shows that you rule your people fairly.”
The Hebrew words mateh and maqel are parallel to each other in JER 48:17. It is not always necessary to reproduce the parallelism with two similar words; for example, for the last half of this verse RSV has “How the mighty scepter is broken, the glorious staff,” but GNT says “Its powerful rule has been broken; its glory and might are no more.” This passage is metaphorical, so the focus here is not on the scepter as a physical object but on authority.