Greek · G3162 · unreviewed

μάχαιρα

Sword

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μάχαιρα G3162
Pronunciation máchaira

What does μάχαιρα (máchaira) mean in the Bible?

μάχαιρα (máchaira) is a Greek word meaning "sword". μάχαιρα, -ης (Att.

Full entry for μάχαιρα (G3162) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

sword
Extended definition

Short sword or dagger, distinct from larger broad swords; metaphorically, instrument of judgment and division.

(Att.. -ας; see WH, App., 1568; ΒΙ., § 7, 1), ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for חֶרֶב; also for מַאֲכֶלֶת, etc. ;]

1(in Hom., al.) a large knife or dirk, for sacrificial purposes (Gen.22:6, 10, Jdg.19:20 A).
2a short sword or dagger (as disting. from ῥομφαία, a large broad sword and ξίφος, a straight sword for thrusting): Mat.26:47 ff., Mrk.14:43, 47-48, Luk.22:36 ff., Jhn.18:10-11 Act.16:27, Heb.11:37, Rev.6:4 13:10, 14; στόμα μαχαίρης (as in Heb. חֶרֶב פֶּה, Gen.34:26, al.), the edge of the sword: Luk.21:24, Heb.11:34; μ. δίστομος, Heb.4:12; ἀναιρεῖν μαχαίρῃ, Act.12:2; τὴν μ. φορεῖν, Rom.13:4. Metaphorical, Mat.10:34 (opposite to εἰρήνη), Rom.8:35; μ. τοῦ πνεῦματος, Eph.6:17.
Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Feminine Rom 8:35 · Rev 6:4
Nominative · Plural · Feminine Luke 22:38
Genitive · Plural · Feminine Matt 26:47 · Matt 26:55 · Mark 14:43 · Mark 14:48 · Luke 22:52
Genitive · Singular · Feminine Luke 21:24 · Heb 11:34 · Heb 11:37 · Rev 13:14
Dative · Singular · Feminine Matt 26:52 · Luke 22:49 · Acts 12:2 · Rev 13:10
Accusative · Singular · Feminine Matt 10:34 · Matt 26:51 · Matt 26:52 · Mark 14:47 · Luke 22:36 · John 18:10 · John 18:11 · Acts 16:27 · Rom 13:4 · Eph 6:17 · Heb 4:12 12×
Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources