Knife

A small blade with a handle, used for cutting.

Knife of iron and wood, Cave of the Letters, Nahal Hever (132-135 CE), Israel Museum
Knife of iron and wood, Cave of the Letters, Nahal Hever (132–135 CE), Israel Museum (© Chamberi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) Knife

About Knife

Small, handheld, single- or double-edged cutting instrument, usually made of flint or metal.

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The object itself Article

Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

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.

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.

Joshua 5:2

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.”

All Scripture References (8)

Genesis (2)
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.

Exodus (1)
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.

Joshua (2)
Joshua 5:2

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.”

Joshua 5:3

So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.

Judges (1)
Judges 19:29

When he reached his house, he picked up a knife, took hold of his concubine, cut her limb by limb into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout the territory of Israel.

Proverbs (2)
Proverbs 23:2

and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite.

Proverbs 30:14

there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.