מַחֲלָף (ma.cha.laph)
ma.cha.laph
knife
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun machalaf refers specifically to a knife. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ezra 1:9, within the inventory of sacred vessels returned from Babylon.
In this context, the word describes one of the many utensils used for temple service. The text lists it alongside gold and silver articles, indicating its role as a practical tool for religious rituals rather than a weapon or common household item. Its singular occurrence highlights the specific needs of the restored worship community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word machalaf appears only once in Scripture, tucked into a list of items returned from Babylon. It refers to a knife used for temple service. This single mention reminds us that God cares about the practical details of worship. The tools needed for sacrifice were as important as the gold and silver vessels.
For your faith life, this word highlights that ordinary objects can have sacred purposes. When we serve God, we use everyday things—our time, our skills, our resources—to support His work. Even a simple knife, when set apart for holy use, becomes part of the community’s worship. God honors the faithful stewardship of what He has provided.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- knives1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַחֲלָפִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 1:9
This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives,
This verse lists machalaf among the sacred vessels returned from exile, showing it was a specialized tool for temple rituals rather than a common household item.