"to fight; to quarrel, Acts 7:26; 2 Tim. 2:24; to contend, dispute, Jn. 6:52; Jas. 4:2*"
Definition and meaning
to fight; to quarrel, Acts 7:26; 2 Tim. 2:24; to contend, dispute, Jn. 6:52; Jas. 4:2*
In the original Greek the word is written: μάχομαι
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
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 machomai (G3164) across the King James Bible.
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
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Common questions
Strong's G3164 (machomai) is a Greek word that means: to fight; to quarrel, Acts 7:26; 2 Tim. 2:24; to contend, dispute, Jn. 6:52; Jas. 4:2* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word machomai (G3164) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3164 is machomai, a Greek word defined as: to fight; to quarrel, Acts 7:26; 2 Tim. 2:24; to contend, dispute, Jn. 6:52; Jas. 4:2*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
machomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.