Quick Definition
a sword
Strong's Definition
a knife, i.e. dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
Derivation: probably feminine of a presumed derivative of G3163 (μάχη);
KJV Usage: sword
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
μάχαιρα, genitive μαχαίρας (so (with R G) Lachmann in Luk_21:24) and μαχαίρης, dative μάχαιρα. (so (with R G) Lachmann in Luk_22:49; Act_12:2) and μαχαίρῃ (between which forms the manuscripts vary, cf. (Scrivener, Collation, etc., p. lvi.; Tdf. Proleg., p. 117; WHs Appendix, p. 156a); Winers Grammar, 62 (61); Buttmann, 11; Delitzsch on Heb_11:34, p. 584 note), ἡ, (akin to μάχη and Latinmactare);
1. a large knife, used for killing animals and cutting up flesh: Homer, Pindar, Herodotus, at.; hence, Gen_22:6; Gen_22:10; Jdg_19:29 Alex., for ξΗΰΒλΖμΖϊ.
2. a small sword, distinguished from the large sword, the ῤομφαία (Josephus, Antiquities 6, 9, 5 ἀποτεμνει τήν κεφαλήν τῇ ῤομφαία τῇ ἐκείνου (Goliath's), μάχαιραν, οὐκ ἔχων αὐτός), and curred, for a cutting stroke; distinct also from ξίφος, a straight sword, for thrusting, Xenophon, r. eq. 12, 11, cf. Hell. 3, 3, 7; but the words are frequently used interchangeably. In the N. T. universally, a sword (the Sept. often for ηΖψΖα): as a weapon for making or repelling an attack, Mat_26:47; Mat_26:51-52,(55); Mar_14:43; Mar_14:47; Luk_22:36; Luk_22:38; Luk_22:49; Luk_22:52; Joh_18:10; Act_16:27; Heb_11:37; Rev_6:4; Rev_13:10,(14); by a Hebraism, στόμα μαχαίρας, the edge of the sword (ηΖψΖα τΔΜι, Gen_34:26; Jos_8:24; 1Sa_13:22; Jdg_3:16, etc. (but in the Sept. the rendering στόμα ξίφους or στόμα ῤομφαίας is more common)): Luk_21:24; Heb_11:34; μάχαιρα δίστομος (see δίστομος), Heb_4:12. of the sword as the instrument of a magistrate or judge: death by the sword, Rom_8:35; ἀναιρεῖν τινα μάχαιρα, Act_12:2; τήν μαχαίρας φόρειν, to bear the sword, is used of him to whom the sword has been committed, viz. to use when a malefactor is to he punished; hence, equivalent to to have the power of life and death, Rom_13:4 (so ξίφος, ξιφη ἔχειν, Philostr. vit. Apoll. 7, 16; vit. sophist. 1, 25, 2 (3), cf. Dion Cass. 42, 27; and in the Talmud the king who bears the sword, of the Hebrew king). Metaphorically, μάχαιρα, a weapon of war, is used for war, or for quarrels and dissensions that destroy peace; so in the phrase βαλεῖν μάχαιραν ἐπί τήν τήν, to send war on earth, Mat_10:34 (for which Luk_12:51 says διαμερισμόν); ἡ μάχαιρα τοῦ πνεύματος, the sword with which the Spirit subdues the impulses to sin and proves its own power and efficacy (which sword is said to be ῤῆμα Θεοῦ (cf. Buttmann, 128 (112))), Eph_6:17 (on the genitive in this passage cf. Ellicott or Meyer).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
μάχαιρα machaira 29x
a large knife, dagger; a sword, Mat_26:47 ; Mat_26:51 ;
the sword of the executioner, Act_12:2 ; Rom_8:35 ; Heb_11:37 ;
hence, φορεῖν μάχαιραν , to bear the sword, to have the power of life and death, Rom_13:4 ;
meton. war, Mat_10:34 sword.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
μάχαιρα , -ης
( Att. . -ας ; v. WH , App ., 1568; ΒΙ ., § 7, 1), ἡ ,
[in LXX chiefly for H2719 ; also for H3979 , etc.;]
1. (in Hom ., al. ) a large knife or dirk, for sacrificial purposes ( Gen_22:6 ; Gen_22:10 , Jdg_19:20 A).
2. a short sword or dagger (as disting. from ῥομφαία , a large broad sword and ξίφος , a straight sword for thrusting): Mat_26:47 ff ., Mar_14:43 ; Mar_14:47-48 , Luk_22:36 ff ., Joh_18:10-11 , Act_16:27 , Heb_11:37 , Rev_6:4 ; Rev_13:10 ; Rev_13:14 ; στόμα μαχαίρης (as in Heb . H2719 H6310 , 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 . Metaph ., Mat_10:34 ( opp . to εἰρήνη ), Rom_8:35 ; μ . τοῦ πνεῦματος , Eph_6:17 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
μάχαιρα [page 391]
In Ptolemaic papyri the usual forms of the gen. and dat. of this common noun are μαχαίρας , μαχαίρᾳ , e.g. P Par 12 .15 (B.C. 157) σπασάμενος λέπει με τῇ μαχαίρᾳ εἰς τὸ σκέλος , and the same holds generally true of the LXX (cf. Thackeray Gr. i. p. 141 f., Helbing Gr. p. 31ff.). In the NT only μαχαίρης , μαχαίρῃ , are found, and are normal in papyri of the Roman period. For an ex. from an earlier date see P Tebt I. 16 .14 (B.C. 114) ἐν μαχαίρηι armed with a sword (for instrumental ἐν cf. 1Co_4:21 and the editors note). See further Moulton Proleg , pp. 38, 48, and Gr. ii. p. 118. We may add as further illustrating the word P Tebt I. 48 .20 ( c. B.C. 113) σπασαμένων τὰς μαχαίρας , and P Ryl II. 256 .3 (i/B.C.) where a young man complains that he has been deprived of πατ ]ρ̣ικὴν στρατιωτικὴν μάχαιραν , which he had inherited. In Luk_22:38 Field ( Notes , p. 76 f.) suggests as an alternative rendering knives, and compares Dion. Hal. Ant. xi. 37 ὡς ἐγγὺς ἦν ἐργαστηρίου μαγειρικοῦ , μάχαιραν ἐξαρπάσας ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης κτλ . For the dim. μαχαίριον see P Eleph 5 .13 (B.C. 284 3) and P Oxy XIV. 1658 .8 (iv/A.D.) μαχαίρια β̄ μει̣[κ (ρά , and for μαχαιρᾶς (not in LS), cutler, see ib. 1676 .6 (iii/A.D.) δόντος μοι αὐτὴν τοῦ μαχαιρᾶ , which (letter) was given me by the cutler (Edd.). On the μαχαιροφόροι , a kind of military police, see P Amh II. 38 .3 (ii/B.C.), P Oxy II. 294 .20 (A.D. 22) (= Selections , p. 35) al. , and the editor s note on OGIS 737 .6 (ii/B.C.) : cf. Rom_13:4 . MGr μαχαίρι .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
μάχαιρα μάχαιρα, ἡ, [Etym: μάχομαι] "a large knife or dirk", worn by the heroes of the Iliad next the sword-sheath, Il. : generally, "a knife for cutting up" meat, Hdt. , attic as a weapon, "a short sword or dagger", Hdt. , etc.: "a sabre or bent sword", opp. to the straight sword (ξίφος), Xen. "a" kind of "rasor", μιᾷ μαχαίρᾳ "with the rasor's" single blade, opp. to διπλῆ μ. "scissars", Ar.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
μάχαιρα, -ης
(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).
__2. a 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.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Sword (3162) machaira
Sword (3162) (machaira from mache = a knife, sword) refers to a relatively short sword (even dagger) for cutting and stabbing. It was extremely difficult to approach a soldier well trained in the use of the machaira for it was short and could be moved rapidly. The fact that it was two-edged made it possible to strike on either side without changing its position in the hand, and its razor-sharp point could pierce armor. Proper use of Scripture in spiritual warfare enables the Christian to stand fast "against the wiles of the devil".
Machaira is used about 156 times in the Septuagint (LXX) and 29 times in the NT (Matt. 10:34; 26:47, 51f, 55; Mk. 14:43, 47f; Lk. 21:24; 22:36, 38, 49, 52; Jn. 18:10f; Acts 12:2; 16:27; Rom. 8:35; 13:4; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; 11:34, 37; Rev. 6:4; 13:10, 14)
The writer of Hebrews explained that ..
the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, (machaira) and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (He 4:12-note)
Expositor's Greek Testament writes that...
The sword is the only offensive weapon in the panoply. But it is indispensable. For, while the Christian soldier is exhibited here mainly in the attitude of defense, as one who stands, in order to take his position and keep his ground, thrust and cut will be required. The preached Gospel, "the power of God" (Ro 1:16-note, 1Cor 1:18), is the weapon provided by the Spirit for meeting the lunge of the assailant and beating him back. With this the description of the panoply comes to an end. (Nicoll, W Robertson, Editor: Expositors Greek Testament: 5 Volumes. Out of print. Search Google)
Blaikie writes that...
The sword supplied by the Spirit, the Word being inspired by him, and employed by the Spirit; for he enlightens us to know it, applies it to us, and teaches us to use it both defensively and offensively. Our Lord in his conflict with Satan, and also with the scribes and Pharisees, has taught us how this weapon is to be used, and with what wonderful effect. Paul, too, reasoning from the Scriptures and proving from them “that this Jesus whom I preach unto you is the Christ,” or (going back to the Old Testament) the author of the hundred and nineteenth psalm, showing us how the soul is to be fed, quickened, strengthened and comforted out of God’s Law, indicates the manifold use of the sword, and shows how earnestly we should study and practice this sword exercise, for our own good and the good of others. (The Pulpit Commentary: New Testament; Old Testament; Ages Software)
"Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion."
http://www.preceptaustin.org/ephesians_616-17.htm#sword