What does ἀποσπάω · μάχαιρα mean in the Bible?
e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously)".
Greek · G645, G3162
ἀπέσπασεν τὴν μάχαιραν
To draw away · sword
Reading a lexicon entry
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
ἀποσπάωG645to draw away
Pronunciationapospáō
To forcibly separate or withdraw, often implying sudden or violent action in physical contexts.
Open lexicon entry →μάχαιραG3162sword
Pronunciationmáchaira
Short sword or dagger, distinct from larger broad swords; metaphorically, instrument of judgment and division.
Open lexicon entry →What does ἀπέσπασεν τὴν μάχαιραν (apespasen tēn machairan) mean in the Bible?
ἀποσπάω · μάχαιρα is a Greek phrase meaning "to drag forth, i.e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously)".
Full entry for ἀπέσπασεν τὴν μάχαιραν (G645, G3162) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G645, G3162?
G645, G3162 is connected to 5 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. to drag forth, i.e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously)
Source Gloss
to drag forth, i.e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously)
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups3Aligned forms5TensesAorist, PresentVoicesActive, Passive, Middle
Tenses
Voices
Indicativestates a fact or reality3×
Aorist ActiveMatt 26:511×
Aorist PassiveLuke 22:411×
Aorist MiddleActs 21:61×
Infinitiveverbal noun — the action in abstract1×
Present ActiveActs 20:301×
Participleverbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality1×
Aorist PassiveActs 21:11×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 5 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist4present1
Voice
active2passive2middle1
Mood
indicative3infinitive1participle1
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
ἀπέσπασεν τὴν μάχαιραν is built from these roots: