Word study · lex.G3162
μάχαιρα machaira
short sword · dagger · large knife
Team definition
A noun for a large knife or dirk, including sacrificial use, and commonly for a short sword or dagger, distinguished from a large broad sword and from a straight thrusting sword. A phrase with mouth can mean the edge of the sword. Rom 13:4 speaks of carrying the sword. Metaphorical uses occur elsewhere. This entry records the lexical sense and does not decide what carrying the sword authorizes.
NT occurrences (SBLGNT, via TAGNT) · 26
Matt 10:34Matt 26:47Matt 26:51Matt 26:52Matt 26:55Mark 14:43Mark 14:47Mark 14:48Luke 21:24Luke 22:36Luke 22:38Luke 22:49Luke 22:52John 18:10John 18:11Acts 12:2Acts 16:27Rom 8:35Rom 13:4Eph 6:17Heb 4:12Heb 11:34Heb 11:37Rev 6:4Rev 13:10Rev 13:14
Senses
1. short sword or dagger Rom 13:4, Matt 26:47, Acts 12:2
2. large knife or dirk Gen 22:6
3. metaphorical sword Matt 10:34, Eph 6:17
See also
Abbott-Smith public domain s.v. μάχαιρα (G3162)
Dodson CC0 1.0 G3162
Occurrences: STEP Bible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0) keyed to SBLGNT words.
Related notes
ἐξουσία, submission, and the sword (13:1–7) Rom 13:1; Rom 13:2; Rom 13:3; Rom 13:4; Rom 13:5; Rom 13:6; Rom 13:7