Meaning
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).
(2.) Heb. maakeleth, a large knife for slaughtering and cutting up food (Gen 22:6, 10; Prov 30:14).
(3.) Heb. sakkin, a knife for any purpose, a table knife (Prov 23:2).
(4.) Heb. mahalaph, a butcher's knife for slaughtering the victims offered in sacrifice (Ezra 1:9).
(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.
