Sword
μάχαιραStrong’s G3162machaira
Appears in 26 verses of the New Testament
In short
Machaira is the Greek word usually translated “sword” and “swords”. It appears in 26 verses of the New Testament.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
Meaning
Usually translated “sword” and “swords”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.
How it's translated
- sword 15
- swords 6
- a sword 4
- of sword 3
- with the sword 1
Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.
Where it's used most
- Matthew 5
- Luke 5
- Mark 3
- Hebrews 3
- Revelation 3
- John 2
9 books in all.
Explore in Scripture
- Matthew 26:47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
- Matthew 26:51And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
- Matthew 26:52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
- Matthew 26:55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
- Mark 14:43And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
- Mark 14:47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Greek dictionary
μάχαιρα machaira · sword
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). …
From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
How the English word “sword” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.
SWORD, noun
- An offensive weapon worn at the side, and used by hand either for thrusting or cutting.
- Figuratively, destruction by war.“I will bring a sword upon you” Leviticus 26:25
- Vengeance or justice.
- Emblem of authority and power.
All definitions
- War; dissension.“I came not to send peace, but a sword” Matthew 10:34
- Emblem of triumph and protection.
Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.
Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Greek, not from any one translation.