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Bible Dictionaries
Sword

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

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1: μάχαιρα

(Strong's #3162 — Noun Feminine — machaira — makh'-ahee-rah )

"a short sword or dagger" (distinct from No. 2), e.g., Matthew 26:47,51,52 and parallel passages; Luke 21:24; 22:38 , possibly "a knife" (Field, Notes on the Translation of the NT); Hebrews 4:12 (see TWO-EDGED); metaphorically and by metonymy, (a) for ordinary violence, or dissensions, that destroy peace, Matthew 10:34; (b) as the instrument of a magistrate or judge, e.g., Romans 13:4; (c) of the Word of God, "the sword of the Spirit," probing the conscience, subduing the impulses to sin, Ephesians 6:17 .

2: ῥομφαία

(Strong's #4501 — Noun Feminine — rhomphaia — hrom-fah'-yah )

a word of somewhat doubtful origin, denoted "a Thracian weapon of large size," whether a sword or spear is not certain, but usually longer than No. 1; it occurs (a) literally in Revelation 6:8; (b) metaphorically, as the instrument of anguish, Luke 2:35; of judgment, Revelation 1:16; 2:12,16; 19:15,21 , probably figurative of the Lord's judicial utterances.

Bibliography Information
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Sword'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​s/sword.html. 1940.
 
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