What is the scepter of righteousness (Hebrews 1:8)?

Hebrews 1:8 speaks of the “scepter of righteousness” (NKJV) associated with the kingdom of God’s Son. The description follows the declaration that Jesus is the “heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2) and “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is “at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:3) and is worshiped by the angels (Hebrews 1:6). Undoubtedly, the scepter of righteousness that He wields is one of unmatched power.

Quoting Psalm 45:6, Hebrews 1:8 says, “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom’” (NKJV).

As far back as Genesis 49:10, we have prophecies of the rule and reign of the Messiah. In the words of Jacob (i.e., Israel), “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until He to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be His.”

Jacob frames the idea of God’s scepter as coming through the tribe of Judah (cf. Psalm 60:7). Both of Jesus’ genealogies in the New Testament record that Jesus is a descendant of Judah. He is later proclaimed to be the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). At His second coming, Jesus will act like a lion entering the battle unafraid (see Isaiah 31:4; Revelation 19:11–16). He will be able to crush all power that earthly rulers may exert (Isaiah 14:5). With His scepter of righteousness, He brings an end to the kingdoms of this world (Zechariah 10:11; Revelation 11:15).

The prophet Daniel had a vision of one “like the Son of man” standing before God (Daniel 7:13, NKJV). As Daniel watched, “to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14, NKJV). Isaiah predicted that the Prince of Peace “will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” (Isaiah 9:7). This is the prophecy that Gabriel alludes to when announcing the birth of Jesus Christ to Mary (Luke 1:32–33).

One of Jesus’ titles is King of kings (Revelation 19:16). All authority has been granted to Him (Matthew 28:18), and one day “at the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow, . . . and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11). The scepter this King holds will be a scepter of righteousness.

A scepter is a rod symbolizing authority. The fact that Jesus holds the scepter of righteousness means that He will wield His authority justly, producing righteousness on the earth. Other translations of Hebrews 1:8 speak of a “scepter of justice” (NLT) or a “scepter of uprightness” (ESV). His will be a kingdom in which true righteousness prevails. And where there is righteousness, there is peace. The world has never seen a kingdom truly established in justice and goodness.

When the Lord Jesus sets up His kingdom on earth and rules from Zion, the results will be beneficial to all: “He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist” (Isaiah 11:3–5). The Lord will handle the scepter of righteousness with wisdom and grace. Corruption, injustice, oppression, and everything else associated with earthly governments today will never be part of His perfect kingdom.

At His first coming to earth, the King of kings, the Lion of Judah, laid down His scepter to take the role of a servant (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:7). He showed us the great love He has for His people. He isn’t a power-hungry God living far off in the skies. He chose to dwell among us. One day He’s coming again, and this time He won’t be setting aside the scepter. “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1).