μάχαιρα
máchaira
G3162 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sword, typically a short sword or large knife; in Greek literature, refers to a weapon used for cutting or stabbing, often used in combat or as a means of execution. In various contexts, can denote a knife for practical or sacrificial use. Figuratively, can signify violence, armed conflict, or a means of causing harm or division.
Semantic Range
sword, short sword, large knife, dagger, weapon for cutting, sacrificial knife, instrument of execution, figurative: cause of violence or division, symbol of conflict
Root / Etymology
From the root μαχ- (meaning 'to fight' or 'to battle'), with the feminine suffix -αιρα. Connected to the verb μάχομαι ('to fight') and the noun μάχη ('battle, combat'). The precise derivational process is uncertain, but the connection to acts of fighting and combat gives the word its semantic field.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, μάχαιρα referred primarily to a short sword, dagger, or large knife, distinct from the longer and heavier ῥομφαία or ξίφος. It was used by both soldiers and civilians for a range of purposes including combat, sacrifice, and everyday utility. In the Septuagint, μάχαιρα was chosen to translate several Hebrew terms for edged weapons, but primarily for חרב (cherev), the standard term for 'sword' in biblical Hebrew. In the New Testament, μάχαιρα most often denotes the kind of sword carried by Roman soldiers, but also appears in metaphorical expressions (e.g., 'not peace but a sword') to symbolize conflict, division, or judgment. Later English translations frequently render μάχαιρα simply as 'sword,' but this can obscure its reference to a shorter or more utilitarian blade as opposed to a grand, ceremonial, or large military sword. The word thus covers a spectrum from daily tool to weapon of war and instrument of judicial execution, depending on context.
Translation Consistency
Most natural and common English rendering in this sense; covers the typical short-sword/large-knife meaning in biblical and Greek usage and fits the majority of existing renderings. 'Sword' is simple, natural, and works for literal and figurative uses (weapon, instrument of violence or division).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably feminine of a presumed derivative of μάχη; a knife, i.e. dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment:--sword.
Root Family
μαχ- (diamáchomai) — to fight, to contend, to dispute fiercely
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1264 | διαμάχομαι | they were fiercely contending |
| G269 | ἄμαχος | an uncombative man |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3162-03 |
μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword | 12 |
G3162-04 |
μαχαίρῃ | machaire | N DAT F SG |
sword | with a short sword | with a short sword | 5 |
G3162-06 |
μαχαιρῶν | machairon | N GEN F PL |
swords | of battle-swords | swords | 5 |
G3162-05 |
μαχαίρης | machaires | N GEN F SG |
of the sword | of the short sword | of the short sword | 4 |
G3162-01 |
μάχαιρα | machaira | N NOM F SG |
sword | battle blade | sword | 2 |
G3162-02 |
μάχαιραι | machairai | N NOM F PL |
swords | short swords | short swords | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
29 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3162-03 |
Matthew 10:34 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
a sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-06 |
Matthew 26:47 | μαχαιρῶν | machairon | N GEN F PL |
swords | of battle-swords | swords |
G3162-03 |
Matthew 26:51 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-03 |
Matthew 26:52 | μάχαιράν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-03 |
Matthew 26:52 | μάχαιραν | machairan-2 | N ACC F SG |
the sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-04 |
Matthew 26:52 | μαχαίρῃ | machaire | N DAT F SG |
sword | with a short sword | with a short sword |
G3162-06 |
Matthew 26:55 | μαχαιρῶν | machairon | N GEN F PL |
swords | of battle-swords | swords |
G3162-06 |
Mark 14:43 | μαχαιρῶν | machairon | N GEN F PL |
swords | of battle-swords | swords |
G3162-03 |
Mark 14:47 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-06 |
Mark 14:48 | μαχαιρῶν | machairon | N GEN F PL |
swords | of battle-swords | swords |
G3162-05 |
Luke 21:24 | μαχαίρης | machaires | N GEN F SG |
of the sword | of the short sword | of the short sword |
G3162-03 |
Luke 22:36 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-02 |
Luke 22:38 | μάχαιραι | machairai | N NOM F PL |
swords | short swords | short swords |
G3162-04 |
Luke 22:49 | μαχαίρῃ | machaire | N DAT F SG |
sword | with a short sword | with a short sword |
G3162-06 |
Luke 22:52 | μαχαιρῶν | machairon | N GEN F PL |
swords | of battle-swords | of battle-swords |
G3162-03 |
John 18:10 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
a sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-03 |
John 18:11 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-04 |
Acts 12:2 | μαχαίρῃ | machaire | N DAT F SG |
with the sword | with a short sword | with a short sword |
G3162-03 |
Acts 16:27 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-01 |
Romans 8:35 | μάχαιρα | machaira | N NOM F SG |
sword | battle blade | sword |
G3162-03 |
Romans 13:4 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-03 |
Ephesians 6:17 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-03 |
Hebrews 4:12 | μάχαιραν | machairan | N ACC F SG |
sword | a battle-sword | a battle-sword |
G3162-05 |
Hebrews 11:34 | μαχαίρης | machaires | N GEN F SG |
of the sword | of the short sword | of the short sword |
G3162-05 |
Hebrews 11:37 | μαχαίρης | machaires | N GEN F SG |
of the sword | of the short sword | of the short sword |
G3162-01 |
Revelation 6:4 | μάχαιρα | machaira | N NOM F SG |
sword | battle blade | sword |
G3162-04 |
Revelation 13:10 | μαχαίρῃ | machaire | N DAT F SG |
sword | with a short sword | with a short sword |
G3162-04 |
Revelation 13:10 | μαχαίρῃ | machaire-2 | N DAT F SG |
sword | with a short sword | with a short sword |
G3162-05 |
Revelation 13:14 | μαχαίρης | machaires | N GEN F SG |
of the sword | of the short sword | of the short sword |