Encyclopedia entry
Knife
Disambiguation
The source enumerates 5 distinct subjects under Knife. Jump to one below, or read in order.
Knife (1)
#Heb. hereb, “the waster,” a sharp instrument for circumcision (Josh. 5:2, 3, lit. “knives of flint;” comp. Ex. 4:25); a razor (Ezek. 5:1); a graving tool (Ex. 20:25); an axe (Ezek. 26:9).
Knife (2)
#Heb. maakeleth, a large knife for slaughtering and cutting up food (Gen. 22:6, 10; Prov. 30:14).
Knife (3)
#Heb. sakkin, a knife for any purpose, a table knife (Prov. 23:2).
Knife (4)
#Heb. mahalaph, a butcher’s knife for slaughtering the victims offered in sacrifice (Ezra 1:9).
Knife (5)
#Smaller knives (Heb. ta’ar, Jer. 36:26) were used for sharpening pens. The pruning-knives mentioned in Isa. 18:5 (Heb. mizmaroth) were probably curved knives.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
The knives of the Egyptians, and of other nations in early times, were probably only of hard stone, and the use of the flint or stone knife was sometimes retained for sacred purposes after the introduction of iron and steel. In their meals the Jews, like other Orientals, made little use of knives, but they were required both for slaughtering animals, either for food or sacrifice, and for cutting up the carcass. (Leviticus 7:33,34; 8:15,20,25; 9:13; Numbers 18:18; 1 Samuel 9:24) etc. Smaller knives were in use for paring fruit (Josephus) and for sharpening pens. (Jeremiah 36:23) The razor was often used for Nazarite purposes, for which a special chamber was reserved in the temple. (Numbers 6:5,9,19; Ezekiel 5:1), etc. The pruning-hooks of (Isaiah 18:5) were probably curved knives. The lancets of the priests of Baal were doubtless pointed knives. (1 Kings 18:28)
In the Bible
9
Verses where Knife is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- Exodus 4:25
But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said.
- Ezekiel 5:1
“As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword, use it as a barber’s razor, and shave your head and beard. Then take a set of scales and divide the hair.
- Ezekiel 5:2
When the days of the siege have ended, you are to burn up a third of the hair inside the city; you are also to take a third and slash it with the sword all around the city; and you are to scatter a third to the wind. For I will unleash a sword behind them.
- Genesis 22:6
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. He himself carried the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together.
- Genesis 22:10
Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
- Isaiah 18:5
For before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape, He will cut off the shoots with a pruning knife and remove and discard the branches.
+3 more verses naming Knife.
Scripture on Knife
17
Voices on Knife
3
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.