And the key: As the robe and the baldric, mentioned in the preceding verse, were the ensigns of power and authority; so likewise was the key the mark of office, either sacred or civil. To comprehend how the key could be borne on the shoulder, it will be sufficient to observe, that the ancient keys were of considerable magnitude, and much bent. Mat 16:18, Mat 16:19, Rev 1:18 so he: Job 12:14, Mat 18:18, Mat 18:19, Rev 3:7 Reciprocal: Num 20:26 - General Job 31:36 - I Isa 9:6 - the government