Lexical Definition

‎μάχαιρα‎ máchaira (makh'-ahee-rah) sword ^G:N-F
probably feminine of a presumed derivative of ‎μάχη‎

sword.

• a knife, i.e. dirk
• figuratively, war, judicial punishment

Abbott-Smith

μάχαιρα, -ης (Att. -ας; v. WH, App., 156a; Bl., § 7, 1), ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for חֶרֶב; also for מַאֲכֶלֶת, etc.;]
1. (in Hom., al.) a large knife or dirk, for sacrificial purposes (Ge 22:6, 10, Jg 19:29 A).
2. a short sword or dagger (as disting. from ῥομφαία, a large broad sword and ξίφος, a straight sword for thrusting): Mt 26:47 ff., Mk 14:43, 47, 48, Lk 22:36 ff., Jo 18:10, 11 Ac 16:27, He 11:37, Re 6:4 13:10, 14; στόμα μαχαίρης (as in Heb. פִּה חֶרֶב, Ge 34:26, al.), the edge of the sword: Lk 21:24, He 11:34; μ. δίστομος, He 4:12; ἀναιρεῖν μαχαίρῃ, Ac 12:2; τὴν μ. φορεῖν, Ro 13:4. Metaph., Mt 10:34 (opp. to εἰρήνη), Ro 8:35; μ. τοῦ πνεύματος, Eph 6:17.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

μάχαιρα-α [μᾰ], ας

(later -ης, dative -ῃ, [NT+2nd c.BC+], ἡ, large knife or dirk, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; carving-knife, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; sacrificial knife, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —ἡ Δελφικὴ μ. a knife adapted to various purposes, [Refs 4th c.BC+] see at {Δελφικὴ μ}.; proverbial, of greedy persons, because Delphian sacrificers claimed a share for the knife, [Refs]

__2 as a weapon, short sword, dagger, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; used by jugglers, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; later, sabre, opposed to the straight sword (ξίφος), [NT+5th c.BC+]; οἱ ἐπὶ τῆς μ., of a bodyguard, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; but, ἐπὶ μ. τασσόμενοι possessing power of life and death (jus gladii), Cat.Codex Astr.[Refs]; μ. ἱππική cavalry sabre, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__3 μ. κουρίδες, shears or scissors, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; κεκαρμένος μοιχὸν μιᾶ μ., i.e. with one blade, [Refs 5th c.BC+] see entry {μιᾷ μαχαίρ; μ. κουρικαί} [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__4 metaphorically, διὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ πυρός [NT+3rd c.BC+]
__II name of a precious stone, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__III part of the liver, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Luke.21.24 ☩ Matt.26.52 ☩ Eph.6.17 ☩ LXX.Isa.49.2}