Original Word: μάχαιρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: machaira
Pronunciation: MAH-khai-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (makh'-ahee-rah)
Definition: Sword
Meaning: a sword.

sword.

Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment -- sword.

see GREEK mache

3162 máχaira – properly, a slaughter-knife; a short sword or dagger mainly used for stabbing; (figuratively) an instrument for exacting retribution.

Word Origin
perhaps from machomai
Definition
a short sword or dagger
NASB Translation
sword (23), swords (6).

STRONGS NT 3162: μάχαιρα

μάχαιρα, genitive μαχαίρας (so (with R G) Lachmann in Luke 21:24) and μαχαίρης, dative μάχαιρα. (so (with R G) Lachmann in Luke 22:49; Acts 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 Hebrews 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, Genesis 22:6, 10; Judges 19:29 Alex., for מַאֲכֶלֶת.

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 חֶרֶב): as a weapon for making or repelling an attack, Matthew 26:47, 51, 52,(55); Mark 14:43, 47; Luke 22:36, 38, 49, 52; John 18:10; Acts 16:27; Hebrews 11:37; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 13:10,(14); by a Hebraism, στόμα μαχαίρας, the edge of the sword (חֶרֶב פִּי, Genesis 34:26; Joshua 8:24; 1 Samuel 13:22; Judges 3:16, etc. (but in the Sept. the rendering στόμα ξίφους or στόμα ῤομφαίας is more common)): Luke 21:24; Hebrews 11:34; μάχαιρα δίστομος (see δίστομος), Hebrews 4:12. of the sword as the instrument of a magistrate or judge: death by the sword, Romans 8:35; ἀναιρεῖν τινα μάχαιρα, Acts 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, Romans 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, Matthew 10:34 (for which Luke 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))), Ephesians 6:17 (on the genitive in this passage cf. Ellicott or Meyer).

Word Origin: Derived from a presumed derivative of μάχη (machē), meaning "battle" or "fight."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with μάχαιρα is חֶרֶב (chereb • Strong's Hebrew 2719), which also denotes a sword or cutting instrument used in warfare or sacrifice.

Usage: The term μάχαιρα is used in the New Testament to denote a sword, often symbolizing conflict, division, or the power of the Word of God. It appears in various contexts, from literal to metaphorical.

Context: The Greek word μάχαιρα appears in several New Testament passages, illustrating both its literal and metaphorical significance. In the literal sense, μάχαιρα refers to a physical weapon, a sword used in battle or for personal defense. For instance, in Matthew 26:52, Jesus admonishes Peter, saying, "Put your sword back in its place; for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." Here, the μάχαιρα is a tangible object, representing the futility of violence.

Metaphorically, μάχαιρα is used to convey spiritual truths. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul describes the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," highlighting the power of divine truth to penetrate and transform. Similarly, in Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is described as "sharper than any double-edged sword," emphasizing its ability to discern thoughts and intentions.

The use of μάχαιρα also signifies division and judgment. In Matthew 10:34, Jesus states, "Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." This passage underscores the divisive nature of Christ's message, which can separate even close relationships due to differing beliefs.

Overall, μάχαιρα serves as a powerful symbol in the New Testament, representing both the physical reality of conflict and the spiritual potency of God's Word.

μαχαιρα μαχαίρα μάχαιρα μάχαιρά μαχαιραι μάχαιραι μαχαίραις μαχαιραν μάχαιραν μάχαιράν μαχαίρας μαχαιρη μαχαίρῃ μαχαιρης μαχαίρης μαχαιρων μαχαιρών μαχαιρῶν μαχβάρ machaira máchaira machairai máchairai machairan máchairan máchairán machaire machairē machaírei machaírēi machaires machairēs machaíres machaírēs machairon machairôn machairōn machairō̂nInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts