"a large knife, dagger; a sword, Mt. 26:47, 51; the sword of the executioner, Acts 12:2; Rom. 8:35; Heb. 11:37; hence, φορεῖν μάχαιραν, to bear the sword, to have the power of life and death, Rom. 13:4; meton. war, Mt. 10:34"
Definition and meaning
a large knife, dagger; a sword, Mt. 26:47, 51; the sword of the executioner, Acts 12:2; Rom. 8:35; Heb. 11:37; hence, φορεῖν μάχαιραν, to bear the sword, to have the power of life and death, Rom. 13:4; meton. war, Mt. 10:34
In the original Greek the word is written: μάχαιρα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of machaira (G3162) across the King James Bible.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
And 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.
And, 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.
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
In 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.
And 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.
And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
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Common questions
Strong's G3162 (machaira) is a Greek word that means: a large knife, dagger; a sword, Mt. 26:47, 51; the sword of the executioner, Acts 12:2; Rom. 8:35; Heb. 11:37; hence, φορεῖν μάχαιραν, to bear the sword, to have the power of life and death, Rom. 13:4... It appears 25 times in the King James Bible.
The word machaira (G3162) appears 25 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3162 is machaira, a Greek word defined as: a large knife, dagger; a sword, Mt. 26:47, 51; the sword of the executioner, Acts 12:2; Rom. 8:35; Heb. 11:37; hence, φορεῖν μάχαιραν, to bear the swo. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
machaira is a Greek word found in the New Testament.