probably of foreign origin; a sabre, i.e. a long and broad cutlass (any weapon of the kind, literally or figuratively):--sword.
Transliteration:rhomphaía
Pronunciation:hrom-fah'-yah
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ῥομφαία (rhomphaía, `{{G4501}}`) denotes a specific type of sword, often described as a sabre or a long, broad cutlass. Its etymology suggests a probable foreign origin, distinguishing it from the more common Greek word for sword, μάχαιρα (machaira, `{{G3162}}`). While machaira could refer to a general sword or dagger, rhomphaía implies a larger, heavier, and more formidable weapon, often depicted as two-edged. In its literal sense, it is a weapon of war and execution, capable of inflicting severe damage. However, its occurrences in the New Testament predominantly lean towards a figurative or symbolic meaning, representing deep sorrow, divine judgment, and the authoritative power of God's word.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term rhomphaía appears seven times in the New Testament, with a clear bifurcation in its application:
1. **Luke 2:35**: Here, the prophet Simeon declares to Mary, "Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." The "sword" (rhomphaía) in this context is purely metaphorical, symbolizing the profound sorrow and suffering that Mary would experience due to her Son's crucifixion. It speaks to a deep, personal anguish that would penetrate her very being.
2. **Revelation (6 occurrences)**: In the book of Revelation, rhomphaía is consistently used as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and authority, particularly associated with Christ:
* **Revelation 1:16**: Describing the glorified Christ, John sees "from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword" (rhomphaía). This imagery is repeated in Revelation 2:12 and Revelation 19:15, 19:21. This is not a literal sword, but a potent symbol of the Lord's authoritative word, which judges and executes divine decrees. It signifies the irresistible power and destructive efficacy of His pronouncements against evil.
* **Revelation 2:16**: Christ warns the church in Pergamum, "Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." Again, the rhomphaía here is the instrument of Christ's judgment, wielded through His powerful word.
* **Revelation 6:8**: In the vision of the four horsemen, Death is given authority "to kill with sword" (rhomphaía). Here, it is an instrument of divine wrath, bringing about widespread destruction as part of God's judgment upon the earth.
* **Revelation 19:15, 19:21**: Describing Christ's triumphant return, the "sharp sword" (rhomphaía) proceeds from His mouth, "with which to strike down the nations." Those who oppose Him are "slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who sat on the horse." This climactic imagery solidifies the rhomphaía as the ultimate symbol of Christ's judicial power and the finality of His righteous judgment against all rebellion.
Across these occurrences, rhomphaía consistently conveys a sense of decisive, penetrating power, whether it be the piercing pain of sorrow or the executing force of divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most closely related Greek word is μάχαιρα (machaira, `{{G3162}}`), which is the more common term for a sword in the New Testament. While both are translated as "sword," rhomphaía tends to denote a larger, more formidable weapon, often with specific connotations of divine or ultimate judgment. For instance, machaira is used for Peter's physical sword ([[Matthew 26:52]]), the sword of the magistrate ([[Romans 13:4]]), and the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" ([[Ephesians 6:17]]).
The distinction is subtle but significant. While the "sword of the Spirit" (machaira) in Ephesians 6:17 represents the truth of God's word used for spiritual warfare and defense, the rhomphaía emerging from Christ's mouth in Revelation emphasizes the *executive* and *judicial* power of that word, bringing judgment and destruction upon His enemies. Both words highlight the power of God's pronouncements, but rhomphaía carries a heavier weight of finality and divine wrath.
Concepts related to rhomphaía include:
* **Divine Judgment**: The primary association, especially in Revelation.
* **The Word of God**: Not merely as truth, but as an active, powerful, and decisive force.
* **Sovereign Authority**: Christ's ultimate power to judge and execute justice.
* **Suffering and Sorrow**: As seen in the prophecy to Mary.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of rhomphaía is profound, operating on two distinct but interconnected levels:
1. **The Sword of Sorrow (Luke 2:35)**: This instance highlights the reality of suffering within God's redemptive plan. Mary's piercing sorrow foreshadows the deep anguish associated with the Passion of Christ, emphasizing the cost of salvation. It also reveals that even those closest to God's work are not exempt from profound pain, serving as a testament to the depth of human suffering in a fallen world and its potential for revealing the true state of hearts.
2. **The Sword of Judgment (Revelation)**: Here, rhomphaía becomes a central symbol of Christ's eschatological role as divine judge and warrior-king. The sword proceeding from His mouth is a powerful metaphor for the irresistible and self-executing nature of His word. It signifies:
* **The Efficacy of God's Word**: It is not merely spoken but acts with decisive power, bringing about what it declares.
* **Christ's Absolute Authority**: He is the one who judges and executes justice, and His word is the instrument of that judgment.
* **Divine Retribution**: The rhomphaía serves as a stark reminder of God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail. It underscores the severity and finality of God's judgment against all that opposes His kingdom.
In both contexts, rhomphaía conveys an image of penetrating power and ultimate consequence, whether in the realm of human emotion or divine decree.
### Summary
The Greek word ῥομφαία (rhomphaía, `{{G4501}}`), initially referring to a long, broad sabre, takes on significant metaphorical weight in the New Testament. In [[Luke 2:35]], it symbolizes the profound, soul-piercing sorrow Mary would experience concerning her Son's destiny. However, its most prominent usage is in the book of Revelation, where it consistently represents the powerful, judging word and authority of the glorified Christ. Emanating from His mouth, this "sharp two-edged sword" is the instrument by which He strikes down nations and executes divine judgment, signifying the irresistible force and finality of God's righteous wrath against evil. Distinct from the more general μάχαιρα (machaira, `{{G3162}}`), rhomphaía emphasizes a more formidable, decisive, and often destructive power, making it a potent symbol of ultimate divine reckoning and Christ's supreme judicial authority.
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