from אָכַל; something to eat with,i.e. a knife; knife.
Transliteration:maʼăkeleth
Pronunciation:mah-ak-eh'-leth
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַאֲכֶלֶת (maʼăkeleth, `{{H3979}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the verb אָכַל ('akal, `{{H398}}`), meaning "to eat" or "to consume." Etymologically, therefore, מַאֲכֶלֶת signifies "an instrument for eating" or "something related to eating." In its concrete usage, it refers specifically to a "knife." While the root suggests a tool for food preparation, its biblical occurrences narrow its semantic range to a sharp implement, particularly one used for cutting meat, whether for consumption or, more significantly, for ritual sacrifice.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word מַאֲכֶלֶת (maʼăkeleth) appears only twice in the entire Hebrew Bible, both instances occurring within the profound and challenging narrative of the Akedah, Abraham's binding of Isaac:
* **[[Genesis 22:6]]**: "And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife (מַאֲכֶלֶת)." Here, the knife is listed among the essential implements for the intended burnt offering, immediately following the wood and preceding the fire. Its inclusion underscores the grim reality of the impending sacrifice.
* **[[Genesis 22:10]]**: "And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife (מַאֲכֶלֶת) to slay his son." This verse marks the climax of the test, depicting Abraham's decisive action to fulfill God's command. The act of taking the knife confirms his resolve and the terrifying imminence of the sacrifice, making the subsequent divine intervention all the more dramatic and merciful.
The exclusive use of מַאֲכֶלֶת in this pivotal narrative imbues it with immense symbolic weight, far exceeding its limited frequency. It is not merely a common tool but an instrument of ultimate consequence in a divine test of faith.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root Verb:** The foundational connection to אָכַל ('akal, `{{H398}}`), "to eat," is crucial. While the knife is used for sacrifice in its biblical context, its etymological link suggests its broader utility in the preparation of food, including the cutting of meat for consumption.
* **Other Terms for Cutting Instruments:**
* חֶרֶב (cherev, `{{H2719}}`): A more general term for "sword," often implying a weapon of war or a larger blade.
* סַכִּין (sakkin): A later Hebrew term for "knife," not found in the Masoretic Text.
* מַדְקָרָה (madqarah, `{{H4043}}`): "A thrusting weapon, dagger."
Unlike these, מַאֲכֶלֶת (maʼăkeleth) carries the specific connotation of a knife used for butchering or sacrificial purposes, distinct from a weapon of combat.
* **Sacrifice and Offering:** The concept of *ʾolah* (burnt offering) is intrinsically linked to מַאֲכֶלֶת, as the knife is the primary tool for the preparation and slaughter of the sacrificial animal.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of מַאֲכֶלֶת (maʼăkeleth) is profound, disproportionate to its sparse occurrences. It is inextricably bound to the Akedah, a foundational narrative for understanding faith, obedience, and divine provision in the Abrahamic tradition.
* **The Instrument of Ultimate Test:** The knife symbolizes the extreme nature of God's demand on Abraham, representing the instrument by which Abraham was prepared to surrender his most beloved son. It highlights the absolute nature of Abraham's faith and obedience, pushing him to the brink of unimaginable sacrifice.
* **The Imminence of Death:** The presence and Abraham's grasping of the knife underscore the terrifying reality and imminence of Isaac's death, making the divine intervention all the more powerful and revealing of God's character.
* **Divine Provision and Mercy:** Ultimately, the knife is poised but not used on Isaac, as God provides a ram in his stead. This averted use of the knife becomes a powerful theological statement about God's mercy, His rejection of human sacrifice, and His character as *Yahweh Yireh* ("The Lord Will Provide"). It demonstrates that God tests faith to refine it, not to destroy life, and that His ultimate desire is not the death of His children but their obedient trust.
* **Foreshadowing:** Some traditions see in the Akedah, and thus in the knife, a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of God's own Son, Jesus Christ. While no literal knife was used, the concept of a "cutting off" or "slaying" for sin finds its ultimate fulfillment in the crucifixion.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַאֲכֶלֶת (maʼăkeleth, `{{H3979}}`), derived from the verb "to eat," denotes a "knife," particularly one used for cutting or sacrifice. Its singular and impactful appearances are confined to the narrative of Abraham's binding of Isaac in [[Genesis 22:6]] and [[Genesis 22:10]]. In this context, the knife transcends its mere utilitarian function to become a potent symbol of the ultimate test of faith, Abraham's unwavering obedience, and the terrifying proximity of human sacrifice. Theologically, מַאֲכֶלֶת represents the extreme demands of God and, crucially, God's merciful provision that averted its use on Isaac, thereby underscoring divine grace, the nature of true worship, and the Lord's character as a provider. Its limited but profound presence etches it into the heart of one of the most significant narratives in the Hebrew Bible.
TRV