God speaks of the tribe of Ephraim as if it were his army. The helmet symbolizes equipment for war. Alternate translation: "Ephraim is like a helmet I have chosen" or "the tribe of Ephraim is my army" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
God chose men from the tribe of Judah to be the kings of his people, and he speaks of that tribe as if it were his scepter. Alternate translation: "the tribe of Judah is like my scepter" or "Judah is the tribe through whom I rule my people" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])