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G3162 μάχαιρα (máchaira)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study
Noun, Feminine
‹ G3161 Greek Dictionary G3163 ›

Quick Definition

μάχαιρα, ας, ἡ n.f. 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

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

noun, f. | -ης

6.33 · Artifacts · Weapons and Armor

sword, dagger a relatively short sword (or even dagger) used for cutting and stabbing The phrase στόμα μαχαίρης (literally ‘mouth of the sword’) refers to the event of killing or slaughter: ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης ‘they escaped being killed by the sword’ HEB 11:34. See 79.109.

MAT 26:47 · MAT 26:51 · MAT 26:52 · MAT 26:52 · MAT 26:52 · MAT 26:55 · MRK 14:43 · MRK 14:47 · MRK 14:48 · LUK 21:24 · LUK 22:36 · LUK 22:38 · LUK 22:49 · LUK 22:52 · JHN 18:10 · JHN 18:11 · ACT 12:2 · ACT 16:27 · EPH 6:17 · HEB 4:12 · HEB 11:34 · HEB 11:37 · REV 6:4 · REV 13:10 · REV 13:10 · REV 13:14

55.6 · Military Activities · To Fight

war, fighting, conflict (figurative extension of meaning of μάχαιρα[a] ‘sword,’ 6.33) For another interpretation of μάχαιρα in MAT 10:34, see 39.25.

MAT 10:34

20.68 · Violence, Harm, Destroy, Kill · Kill

death, being killed (a figurative extension of meaning of μάχαιρα[a] ‘sword,’ 6.33) death by violence or execution

ROM 8:35

39.25 · Hostility, Strife · Strife, Struggle

violence, strife, discord (a figurative extension of meaning of μάχαιρα[a] ‘sword,’ 6.33) a state of discord and strife For another interpretation of μάχαιρα in MAT 10:34, see 55.6.

MAT 10:34

38.3 · Punish, Reward · Punish

Collocation: φορέω τὴν μάχαιραν

to have the power to punish (an idiom, literally: to bear the sword) to have the capacity or authority to punish

ROM 13:4

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

μάχαιρα, cen. -as [so (with RG) Lehm. in Lk. xxi. 24] and -ns, dat. -a [so (with R G) Lehm. in Lk. xxii. 49; Acts xii. 2] and -y (betw. which forms the codd. vary, ef. [Serivener, Collation, ete. p. lvi.; ΤῸ Proleg. p. 117; WH. App. p- 1561; W. 62 (61); B.11; Delitzsch on Heb. xb 34 p. 584 note), ἡ, (akin to μάχη and Lat. mactare); 1. a large knife, used for killing animals and cutting up flesh: Hom., Pind., Hdt., al.; hence Gen. xxii. 6,10; Judg. xix. 29 Alex.,for NN. 2. asmall sword, distinguished fr. the large sword, the ῥομφαία (Joseph. antt. 6, 9, 5 ἀποτέμνει THY κεφαλὴν τῇ ῥομφαίᾳ τῇ ἐκείνου (Goliath’s), μάχαιραν οὐκ ἔχων αὐτός), and curved, for a cutting stroke; distinct also fr. ξίφος, a straight sword, for thrusting, Xen. r. eq. 12, 11, cf. Hell. 3, 3, 7; but the words are freq. used interchangeably. Inthe N. T. univ. α sword (Sept. often for 29m) : as a weapon for making or repelling an attack, Mt. xxvi. 47, 51,52, [55]; Mk. xiv. 43, 47 sq.; Lk. xxii. 36, 38, 49, 52; Jn. xviii. 10sq.; Acts xvi. 27; Heb. xi. 37; Rev. vi. 4; xiii. 10, [14]; by a Hebraism, στόμα μαχαίρας, the edge of the sword (1}1) 3, Gen. xxxiv. 26; Josh. viii. 24; 1S. xiii. 22; Judg. iii. 16, ete. [but in the Sept. the rendering or. ξίφους or στ. ῥομφαίας is more com.]): Lk. xxi. 24; Heb. xi. 34; μάχαιρα δίστομος (see δίστομος), Heb. iv. 12. of the sword as the instrument of a magistrate or judge: death by the sword, Ro. viii. 35; ἀναιρεῖν twa μαχαίρᾳ, Acts xii. 2; τὴν μ. φορεῖν, to bear the sword, is used of him to whom the sword has been committed, viz. to use when a malefactor is to be punished; hence i. q. to have the power of life and death, Ro. xiii. 4 (so ξίφος, ξίφη ἔχειν, Philostr. vit. Apoll. 7, 16; vit. sophist. 1, 25, 2 (3), ef. Dion Cass. 42, 27; and in the Talmud the king who bears the sword, of the Hebrew king). Metaph. pdy., a weapon of war, is used for war. or for quarrels and dissensions that destroy peace ; so in the phrase βαλεῖν μάχαιραν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, to send war on earth, Mt. x. 34 (for which LK. xii. 51 says διαμερισμόνν 5 ἡ wax. 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 ῥῆμα θεοῦ [cf. B. 128 (112)]), Eph. vi. 17 [on the gen. in this pass. cf. Ellicott or Meyer].

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

μάχαιρα machaira 29x

a large knife, dagger; a sword, Mt. 26:47, 51; the sword of the executioner, Acts 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, Mt. 10:34

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

μάχαιρα, -ης

(Att. -ας; v. WH, App., 156a; Bl., § 7, 1), ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for חֶרֶב; also for מַאֲכֶלֶת, etc.;]

(in Hom., al.) a large knife or dirk, for sacrificial purposes (Ge 22:6, 10, Jg 19:29 A).

a short sword or dagger (as disting. from ῥομφαία, a large broad sword and ξίφος, a straight sword for thrusting): Mt 26:47 ff., Mk 14:43, 47, 48, Lk 22:36 ff., Jo 18:10, 11 Ac 16:27, He 11:37, Re 6:4 13:10, 14; στόμα μαχαίρης (as in Heb. פִּה חֶרֶב, Ge 34:26, al.), the edge of the sword: Lk 21:24, He 11:34; μ. δίστομος, He 4:12; ἀναιρεῖν μαχαίρῃ, Ac 12:2; τὴν μ. φορεῖν, Ro 13:4. Metaph., Mt 10:34 (opp. to εἰρήνη), Ro 8:35; μ. τοῦ πνεύματος, Eph 6:17.†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

μάχαιρα. In Ptolemaic papyri the usual forms of the gen. and dat. of this common noun are μαχαίρας, μαχαίρᾳ, e.g. P Par 1215 | (B.C. 157) σπασάμενος λέπει pe τῇ μαχαίρᾳ εἰς Td σκέλος, | and thesame holds generally true of the LXX (cf. Thackeray Gr. i. p. 141f., Helbing Gr. p. 31 ff.). 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 (Β. 6. 114) ἐν μαχαίρηι ‘armed with a sword ” (for instrumental ἐν cf. 1 Cor 42! and the editors’ note). See further Moulton Pro/eg. pp. 38, 48, and Gr. ii. p. 118. We | may add as further illustrating the word P Tebt I. 48? (c, B.C, 113) σπασαμένων tas μαχαίρας, and P Ryl II. 256% (i/B.c.) where a young man complains that he has been deprived οἵ --πατ]ρικὴν στρατιωτικὴν μάχαιραν, which he had inherited. In Lk 228 Field (Wo/es, p. 76 f.) suggests as an alternative rendering ‘‘knives,” and compares Dion. Hal. Ant. xi. 37 ὡς ἐγγὺς ἣν ἐργαστηρίου μαγειρικοῦ, μάχαιραν ἐξαρπάσας ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης κτλ. For the dim. μαχαίριον see P Eleph 515 (8.6. 284--3) and P Oxy XIV. 16588 (iv/a. p.) ᾿ μαχαίρια B μει[κίρά, and for μαχαιρᾶς (not in LS), ‘‘cutler,” | see 20. 16768 (i1i/A.D.) δόντος μοι αὐτὴν τοῦ paxatpa, “which | editor's note on OG/S 7378 (ii/B.c.) : cf. Rom 134. (= Chrest. 11. p. 227) δ οὗ ματαίως εἱστορεῖ περί τε τοῦ | ἑαυτοὺς ἐν μέσῳ τῆς κώμης. (letter) was given me by the cutler” (Edd.). Οπ the μαχαιροφόροι, a kind of military police, see P Amh II. 38° (ii/s.c.), P Oxy II. 2943 (a.p. 22) (= Selections, p. 35) a/., and the MGr μαχαίρι.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

μάχαιρα (machaira) — sword. μάχαιρ-α [μᾰ], ας (later -ης, dative -ῃ, [NT+2nd c.BC+], ἡ, large knife or dirk, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; carving-knife, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; sacrificial knife, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —ἡ Δελφικὴ μ. a knife adapted to various purposes, [Refs 4th c.BC+] see at {Δελφικὴ μ}.; proverbial, of greedy persons, because Delphian sacrificers claimed a share for the knife, [Refs]

2. as a weapon, short sword, dagger, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; used by jugglers, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; later, sabre, opposed to the straight sword (ξίφος), [NT+5th c.BC+]; οἱ ἐπὶ τῆς μ., of a bodyguard, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; but, ἐπὶ μ. τασσόμενοι possessing power of life and death (jus gladii), Cat.Codex Astr.[Refs]; μ. ἱππική cavalry sabre, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]

3. μ. κουρίδες, shears or scissors, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; κεκαρμένος μοιχὸν μιᾶ μ., i.e. with one blade, [Refs 5th c.BC+] see entry {μιᾷ μαχαίρ; μ. κουρικαί} [Refs 1st c.AD+]

4. metaphorically, διὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ πυρός [NT+3rd c.BC+]

II. name of a precious stone, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

III. part of the liver, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

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)

Bible Occurrences (26)

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

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

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