Knife (1.) Hebrews hereb, "the waster," a sharp instrument for circumcision (Joshua 5:2, 3, lit. "knives of flint;" Comp. Exodus 4:25); a razor (Ezek. 5:1); a graving tool (Exodus 20:25); an axe (Ezek. 26:9). (2.) Hebrews maakeleth, a large knife for slaughtering and cutting up food (Genesis 22:6, 10; Proverbs 30:14). (3.) Hebrews sakkin, a knife for any purpose, a table knife (Proverbs 23:2). (4.) Hebrews mahalaph, a butcher's knife for slaughtering the victims offered in sacrifice (Ezra 1:9). (5.) Smaller knives (Hebrews ta'ar, Jeremiah 36:26) were used for sharpening pens. The pruning-knives mentioned in Isaiah 18:5 (Hebrews mizmaroth) were probably curved knives. Easton's Bible Dictionary