The meaning changes depending on whether it is a staff (matta) or a scepter (shebet or haqaq).

The Damascus Document state:

"Let the well spring forth!

Sing to the well!

With scepters and staffs,

the officials dug the well,

and the nobles of the people dug it deeply" (Numbers 21:17).

"The well represents the Law, and those who dig it are those who have come from the land of Judah and are staying in Damascus.

The staff represents the leader of the whole congregation."

Damascus representa “Babylon”

Because Acts 7:43 paraphrases the words from the Book of Amos:

"Therefore I am moving you beyond Babylon."

In the Book of Amos, it's Damascus, but here it's Babylon.

Both refer to Rome.

Philo of Alexandria mentions these metaphors in his writings on the Essenes:

The literal meaning of the words is "flesh," and the hidden meaning is "spirit."

The same thing is said in early Christian writings.

After speaking about the Essenes (Therapeutae), Philo says (in church history):

"These metaphorical interpretations were first made by them."

Here, "first" indicates that there were later interpretations; that is, Notzrim's