"a short sword or dagger" (distinct from No. 2), e.g., Matthew 26:47,51,52 and parallel passages; Luke 21:24; 22:38 , possibly "a knife" (Field, Notes on the Translation of the NT); Hebrews 4:12 (see TWO-EDGED); metaphorically and by metonymy, (a) for ordinary violence, or dissensions, that destroy peace, Matthew 10:34; (b) as the instrument of a magistrate or judge, e.g., Romans 13:4; (c) of the Word of God, "the sword of the Spirit," probing the conscience, subduing the impulses to sin, Ephesians 6:17 .
a word of somewhat doubtful origin, denoted "a Thracian weapon of large size," whether a sword or spear is not certain, but usually longer than No. 1; it occurs (a) literally in Revelation 6:8; (b) metaphorically, as the instrument of anguish, Luke 2:35; of judgment, Revelation 1:16; 2:12,16; 19:15,21 , probably figurative of the Lord's judicial utterances.