Greek word · G1366

δίστομος

distomos

double-edged

Literally 'two-mouthed'. Of a sword, 'double-edged'. It mirrors the Hebrew idiom in which a blade's edge is its 'mouth' (pî-ḥerev, 'the mouth of the sword', usually translated 'the edge of the sword').

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δίστομος, -ον

(δίς, στόμα), [in LXX: Judges 3:16, Psalms 149:6, Proverbs 5:4 (פֶּה), Sirach 21:3 * ;]

1. of rivers and roads, double-mouthed, double branching.

2. Of swords (Eur.; LXX, ll with), two-edged: Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16 2:12.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 1:16

Range of meaning

Literally 'two-mouthed'. Of a sword, 'double-edged'. It mirrors the Hebrew idiom in which a blade's edge is its 'mouth' (pî-ḥerev, 'the mouth of the sword', usually translated 'the edge of the sword').

Against the English

'Double-edged' or 'two-edged' is correct as a description. But modern English 'a double-edged sword' is an idiom for something that helps and harms at once. The Greek has no such sense: the point is that the blade is sharpened on both sides and fully lethal.

How it drifted

The English idiom 'double-edged sword', meaning a mixed blessing, now colours how readers hear the phrase.

Used elsewhere in the period

Judges 3:16: Ehud's sword is 'a sword with two mouths' (Hebrew), μάχαιρα δίστομος in the Greek. Proverbs 5:4 (Greek): the adulteress's end is 'sharper than a two-edged sword'. Psalm 149:6: 'two-edged swords in their hands' to carry out judgment on the nations. Hebrews 4:12: the word of God is 'sharper than any two-edged sword'.

From the study of Revelation 2:12

Range of meaning

Literally 'two-mouthed'. Of a sword it means two-edged, sharpened on both sides. It is also used of a road forking two ways or of a cave with two openings.

Against the English

'Two-edged' / 'double-edged' is a correct translation. But the modern English idiom 'a double-edged sword' means 'something with both good and bad effects, that can hurt the user'. The Greek carries no such idea. Translations also lose the 'mouth' picture.

How it drifted

The English figurative idiom 'double-edged sword' (something that cuts both ways) grew up long after the Bible and has no connection to this text.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament uses it of Ehud's homemade double-edged dagger (Judg 3:16, Hebrew pîpiyyôt, 'mouths') and of 'a two-edged sword in their hand' (Ps 149:6). Proverbs 5:4 says the end of the adulteress is 'sharper than a two-edged sword'. Sirach 21:3 says lawlessness is 'like a two-edged sword'. Hebrew speaks of killing 'by the mouth of the sword' (lefî-ḥerev), i.e. the sword's edge 'eats' (2 Sam 2:26).

Where it appears

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 4:12 δίστομον two-edged

    For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    Here: Literally "two-mouthed." It draws on the Hebrew idiom of the sword's "mouth" (its edge) that "devours." A word that comes from God's mouth is sharper than a blade with two mouths.

Revelation · 2

  1. Revelation 1:16 δίστομος two-edged

    He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

    Here: Literally 'two-mouthed', a standard Greek and Hebrew way of saying 'edged on both sides', so fully sharpened and deadly. Next to 'out of his mouth' it makes a vivid echo: from his mouth comes a two-mouthed blade.

  2. Revelation 2:12 δίστομον two-edged

    To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword.

    Here: Literally 'two-mouthed'. This copies a Hebrew way of speaking in which a sword's edge is its 'mouth' that 'devours'. The picture is a blade sharpened on both sides and fully deadly. The pairing of 'mouth' with a sword that comes from his mouth is fitting.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.