3162. machaira
Lexical Summary
machaira: Sword

Original Word: μάχαιρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: machaira
Pronunciation: MAH-khai-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (makh'-ahee-rah)
KJV: sword
NASB: sword, swords
Word Origin: [probably feminine of a presumed derivative of G3163 (μάχη - conflicts)]

1. a knife, i.e. dirk
2. (figuratively) war, judicial punishment

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sword.

Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment -- sword.

see GREEK mache

HELPS Word-studies

3162 χaira – properly, a slaughter-knife; a short sword or dagger mainly used for stabbing; (figuratively) an instrument for exacting retribution.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
perhaps from machomai
Definition
a short sword or dagger
NASB Translation
sword (23), swords (6).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3162: μάχαιρα

μάχαιρα, genitive μαχαίρας (so (with R G) Lachmann in Luke 21:24) and μαχαίρης, dative μάχαιρα. (so (with R G) Lachmann in Luke 22:49; Acts 12:2) and μαχαίρῃ (between which forms the manuscripts vary, cf. (Scrivener, Collation, etc., p. lvi.; Tdf. Proleg., p. 117; WHs Appendix, p. 156a); Winers Grammar, 62 (61); Buttmann, 11; Delitzsch on Hebrews 11:34, p. 584 note), , (akin to μάχη and Latinmactare);

1. a large knife, used for killing animals and cutting up flesh: Homer, Pindar, Herodotus, at.; hence, Genesis 22:6, 10; Judges 19:29 Alex., for מַאֲכֶלֶת.

2. a small sword, distinguished from the large sword, the ῤομφαία (Josephus, Antiquities 6, 9, 5 ἀποτεμνει τήν κεφαλήν τῇ ῤομφαία τῇ ἐκείνου (Goliath's), μάχαιραν, οὐκ ἔχων αὐτός), and curred, for a cutting stroke; distinct also from ξίφος, a straight sword, for thrusting, Xenophon, r. eq. 12, 11, cf. Hell. 3, 3, 7; but the words are frequently used interchangeably. In the N. T. universally, a sword (the Sept. often for חֶרֶב): as a weapon for making or repelling an attack, Matthew 26:47, 51, 52,(55); Mark 14:43, 47; Luke 22:36, 38, 49, 52; John 18:10; Acts 16:27; Hebrews 11:37; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 13:10,(14); by a Hebraism, στόμα μαχαίρας, the edge of the sword (חֶרֶב פִּי, Genesis 34:26; Joshua 8:24; 1 Samuel 13:22; Judges 3:16, etc. (but in the Sept. the rendering στόμα ξίφους or στόμα ῤομφαίας is more common)): Luke 21:24; Hebrews 11:34; μάχαιρα δίστομος (see δίστομος), Hebrews 4:12. of the sword as the instrument of a magistrate or judge: death by the sword, Romans 8:35; ἀναιρεῖν τινα μάχαιρα, Acts 12:2; τήν μαχαίρας φόρειν, to bear the sword, is used of him to whom the sword has been committed, viz. to use when a malefactor is to he punished; hence, equivalent to to have the power of life and death, Romans 13:4 (so ξίφος, ξιφη ἔχειν, Philostr. vit. Apoll. 7, 16; vit. sophist. 1, 25, 2 (3), cf. Dion Cass. 42, 27; and in the Talmud the king who bears the sword, of the Hebrew king). Metaphorically, μάχαιρα, a weapon of war, is used for war, or for quarrels and dissensions that destroy peace; so in the phrase βαλεῖν μάχαιραν ἐπί τήν τήν, to send war on earth, Matthew 10:34 (for which Luke 12:51 says διαμερισμόν); μάχαιρα τοῦ πνεύματος, the sword with which the Spirit subdues the impulses to sin and proves its own power and efficacy (which sword is said to be ῤῆμα Θεοῦ (cf. Buttmann, 128 (112))), Ephesians 6:17 (on the genitive in this passage cf. Ellicott or Meyer).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 3162 designates the common side-arm of the first-century world, a short sword or large knife routinely carried by soldiers, authorities, brigands, and private citizens. Across the New Testament its imagery ranges from literal steel drawn in the garden of Gethsemane to the incisive power of God’s word and the righteous judgment of Christ. These twenty-nine occurrences cluster around five major themes.

Literal weaponry in the Gospel narratives

1. Arrest at Gethsemane—Matthew 26:47, Mark 14:43, Luke 22:52 record a crowd arriving “with swords and clubs.” Peter’s impulsive strike (Matthew 26:51; John 18:10) draws a stern rebuke: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who take up the sword will perish by the sword.” Matthew 26:52.
2. Preparation for imminent danger—Before that night Jesus had told His disciples, “Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36). Their reply, “Here are two swords” (Luke 22:38), underscores both the literal object and the Lord’s deeper intention: to alert them to hardship rather than authorize violent revolt.
3. Civil and military use—The Philippian jailer would have ended his life “with his sword” (Acts 16:27) before Paul intervened, while Herod “had James the brother of John put to death with the sword” (Acts 12:2).

The sword and the civil authority

Romans 13:4 anchors governmental right to punish: “He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” The sword here represents delegated, limited authority, reminding believers that human rulers ultimately answer to God for how that authority is exercised (Revelation 13:10).

Discipleship, division, and persecution

Christ warns that allegiance to Him provokes hostility: “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34. Luke 21:24 foretells that Jerusalem’s people “will fall by the edge of the sword,” a prophecy fulfilled in A.D. 70. Hebrews 11:34, 11:37 remembers saints who “escaped the edge of the sword” and others who “were put to death by the sword,” reinforcing that faithfulness may cost earthly life yet secures eternal reward.

Symbolic and metaphorical applications

1. Word of judgment—In the Apocalypse the red horseman “was given a large sword” to remove peace from the earth (Revelation 6:4). The beast arrogates lethal power (Revelation 13:10, 13:14), counterfeiting divine prerogative.
2. Word of division—The sword images sharp separation between those who embrace Christ and those who reject Him, as families, cultures, and empires realign around the gospel.

Spiritual warfare: the believer’s sword

Ephesians 6:17 urges believers to “take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Unlike every other item in the armor, this weapon is expressly offensive, enabling proclamation, correction, and defense against satanic deceit. Hebrews 4:12 expounds its potency: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” As Scripture is wielded in dependence on the Spirit, it cuts through error, convicts sin, and brings life.

Eschatological judgment

Revelation anticipates final reckoning: “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, that with it He may strike down the nations” (19:15). The same Christ who once restrained Peter’s blade will ultimately wield unstoppable, righteous judgment, vindicating His saints and establishing everlasting peace.

Historical and cultural background

The short sword common to Roman infantry (gladius or machaira) measured roughly 18-24 inches, suited for close combat. Jewish zealots preferred shorter daggers; Roman magistrates bore it as a symbol of capital jurisdiction. Its ubiquitous presence makes it an apt emblem for both worldly power and spiritual conflict.

Pastoral and ministry implications

• Proclamation—Preachers and teachers must rely on the Spirit-empowered word rather than rhetorical flourish; only the divine sword reaches the heart.
• Perseverance—Believers facing persecution remember that unjust swords may kill the body, but cannot sever them from “the love of Christ” (Romans 8:35).
• Discernment—Christians navigate submission to governing authorities while recognizing higher allegiance to God when earthly laws oppose divine command.
• Hope—The final victory of the Rider on the white horse assures the church that every oppressive sword will be sheathed, and the Prince of Peace will reign.

Thus Strong’s 3162 traces a trajectory from the garden’s misguided zeal to the consummate triumph of Christ, calling every generation to trust the God who wields—and transforms—the sword.

Forms and Transliterations
μαχαιρα μαχαίρα μάχαιρα μάχαιρά μαχαιραι μάχαιραι μαχαίραις μαχαιραν μάχαιραν μάχαιράν μαχαίρας μαχαιρη μαχαίρῃ μαχαιρης μαχαίρης μαχαιρων μαχαιρών μαχαιρῶν μαχβάρ machaira máchaira machairai máchairai machairan máchairan máchairán machaire machairē machaírei machaírēi machaires machairēs machaíres machaírēs machairon machairôn machairōn machairō̂n
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 10:34 N-AFS
GRK: εἰρήνην ἀλλὰ μάχαιραν
NAS: to bring peace, but a sword.
KJV: peace, but a sword.
INT: peace but a sword

Matthew 26:47 N-GFP
GRK: πολὺς μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων
NAS: crowd with swords and clubs,
KJV: multitude with swords and staves,
INT: great with swords and clubs

Matthew 26:51 N-AFS
GRK: ἀπέσπασεν τὴν μάχαιραν αὐτοῦ καὶ
NAS: and drew out his sword, and struck
KJV: and drew his sword, and struck
INT: drew the sword of him and

Matthew 26:52 N-AFS
GRK: Ἀπόστρεψον τὴν μάχαιράν σου εἰς
NAS: to him, Put your sword back
KJV: Put up again thy sword into his
INT: Return the sword of you into

Matthew 26:52 N-AFS
GRK: οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ
NAS: who take up the sword shall perish
KJV: that take the sword shall perish
INT: the [ones] having taken [the] sword by [the] sword

Matthew 26:52 N-DFS
GRK: μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται
NAS: shall perish by the sword.
KJV: shall perish with the sword.
INT: [the] sword by [the] sword will perish

Matthew 26:55 N-GFP
GRK: ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων
NAS: Have you come out with swords and clubs
KJV: a thief with swords and staves
INT: are you come out with swords and clubs

Mark 14:43 N-GFP
GRK: ὄχλος μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων
NAS: by a crowd with swords and clubs,
KJV: multitude with swords and staves,
INT: a crowd with swords and clubs

Mark 14:47 N-AFS
GRK: σπασάμενος τὴν μάχαιραν ἔπαισεν τὸν
NAS: by drew his sword, and struck
KJV: drew a sword, and smote
INT: having drawn the sword struck the

Mark 14:48 N-GFP
GRK: ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων
NAS: to them, Have you come out with swords and clubs
KJV: a thief, with swords and [with] staves
INT: are you come out with swords and clubs

Luke 21:24 N-GFS
GRK: πεσοῦνται στόματι μαχαίρης καὶ αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται
NAS: by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive
KJV: by the edge of the sword, and
INT: they will fall by [the] edge of [the] sword and will be led captive

Luke 22:36 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ ἀγορασάτω μάχαιραν
NAS: has no sword is to sell his coat
KJV: no sword, let him sell
INT: and buy a sword

Luke 22:38 N-NFP
GRK: Κύριε ἰδοὺ μάχαιραι ὧδε δύο
NAS: are two swords. And He said
KJV: here [are] two swords. And he said
INT: Lord behold swords here [are] two

Luke 22:49 N-DFS
GRK: πατάξομεν ἐν μαχαίρῃ
NAS: shall we strike with the sword?
KJV: shall we smite with the sword?
INT: will we strike with [the] sword

Luke 22:52 N-GFP
GRK: ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων
NAS: Him, Have you come out with swords and clubs
KJV: a thief, with swords and staves?
INT: have you come out with swords and clubs

John 18:10 N-AFS
GRK: Πέτρος ἔχων μάχαιραν εἵλκυσεν αὐτὴν
NAS: having a sword, drew
KJV: Peter having a sword drew it,
INT: Peter having a sword drew it

John 18:11 N-AFS
GRK: Βάλε τὴν μάχαιραν εἰς τὴν
NAS: Put the sword into the sheath;
KJV: Put up thy sword into the sheath:
INT: Put the sword into the

Acts 12:2 N-DFS
GRK: ἀδελφὸν Ἰωάννου μαχαίρῃ
NAS: of John put to death with a sword.
KJV: the brother of John with the sword.
INT: brother of John with a sword

Acts 16:27 N-AFS
GRK: σπασάμενος τὴν μάχαιραν ἤμελλεν ἑαυτὸν
NAS: he drew his sword and was about
KJV: he drew out his sword, and would
INT: having drawn his sword was about himself

Romans 8:35 N-NFS
GRK: κίνδυνος ἢ μάχαιρα
NAS: peril, or sword?
KJV: peril, or sword?
INT: danger or sword

Romans 13:4 N-AFS
GRK: εἰκῇ τὴν μάχαιραν φορεῖ θεοῦ
NAS: for it does not bear the sword for nothing;
KJV: he beareth not the sword in vain: for
INT: in vain the sword he wears of god

Ephesians 6:17 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν τοῦ πνεύματος
NAS: OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit,
KJV: and the sword of the Spirit,
INT: and the sword of the Spirit

Hebrews 4:12 N-AFS
GRK: ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν μάχαιραν δίστομον καὶ
NAS: two-edged sword, and piercing
KJV: any twoedged sword, piercing even to
INT: than any sword two-edged even

Hebrews 11:34 N-GFS
GRK: ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ
NAS: the edge of the sword, from weakness
KJV: the edge of the sword, out of
INT: escaped [the] mouths of [the] sword acquired strength out of

Hebrews 11:37 N-GFS
GRK: ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρης ἀπέθανον περιῆλθον
NAS: they were put to death with the sword; they went about
INT: by slaughter of [the] sword they died they wandered

Strong's Greek 3162
29 Occurrences


μάχαιρα — 2 Occ.
μάχαιραι — 1 Occ.
μάχαιραν — 12 Occ.
μαχαίρῃ — 5 Occ.
μαχαίρης — 4 Occ.
μαχαιρῶν — 5 Occ.

3161
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