μάχαιρα
machaira
sword
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word μάχαιρα (machaira) is a noun that refers to a sword. It is a term commonly associated with warfare and conflict, appearing 29 times in the Bible. As a tool of combat, the machaira represents a symbol of power, strength, and violence. Its presence in various contexts suggests that it was a familiar and feared instrument in ancient times. The machaira's significance extends beyond its literal meaning as a sword. It often serves as a metaphor for the harsh realities of conflict, violence, and the consequences of human actions. In biblical narratives, the machaira is frequently used to describe the brutal and devastating effects of war, underscoring the gravity of human conflict and the importance of avoiding violence whenever possible. The machaira's frequent appearance in the Bible highlights its importance as a cultural and historical reference point. As a symbol of power and violence, it serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of human relationships, particularly in the context of conflict and warfare.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
29 total occurrences across the text
“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.
Matthew 26:47While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Matthew 26:51Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.
Matthew 26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me.
Mark 14:43Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Mark 14:47But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Mark 14:48Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?
Luke 21:24They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luke 22:36Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
Luke 22:38They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”
Luke 22:49When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
Luke 22:52Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
John 18:10Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
John 18:11Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
Acts 12:2He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
Acts 16:27The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
Romans 8:35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 13:4for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Revelation 6:4Another came out: a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword.
Hebrews 11:34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.
Hebrews 11:37They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—
Revelation 13:10If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 13:10If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 13:14He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.