"pr. a Thracian broad-sword; a sword, Rev. 1:16; 2:12; by meton. war, Rev. 6:8; met. a thrill of anguish, Lk. 2:35"
Definition and meaning
pr. a Thracian broad-sword; a sword, Rev. 1:16; 2:12; by meton. war, Rev. 6:8; met. a thrill of anguish, Lk. 2:35
In the original Greek the word is written: ῥομφαία
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 rhomphaia (G4501) across the King James Bible.
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4501 (rhomphaia) is a Greek word that means: pr. a Thracian broad-sword; a sword, Rev. 1:16; 2:12; by meton. war, Rev. 6:8; met. a thrill of anguish, Lk. 2:35 It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word rhomphaia (G4501) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4501 is rhomphaia, a Greek word defined as: pr. a Thracian broad-sword; a sword, Rev. 1:16; 2:12; by meton. war, Rev. 6:8; met. a thrill of anguish, Lk. 2:35. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
rhomphaia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.