Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old maleThe requirement for an "unblemished" lamb signifies purity and perfection, symbolizing the sinlessness required for a sacrificial offering. This foreshadows Jesus Christ, referred to as the "Lamb of God" (
John 1:29), who was without sin (
1 Peter 1:19). The specification of a "year-old male" indicates maturity and strength, representing the prime of life. In the context of the Passover, this lamb was to be a substitute for the firstborn of Israel, pointing to Christ's substitutionary atonement for humanity.
and you may take it from the sheep or the goats
The allowance to choose from "sheep or the goats" provides flexibility for the Israelites, ensuring that all families could participate regardless of their livestock resources. This inclusivity reflects God's provision and care for His people. In biblical symbolism, sheep often represent God's people (Psalm 100:3), while goats can symbolize those who are separated from God (Matthew 25:32-33). The choice between sheep and goats may also highlight the universality of Christ's sacrifice, available to all, regardless of background.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who are in bondage in Egypt and are about to experience the first Passover.
2.
EgyptThe land where the Israelites are enslaved, and where God will demonstrate His power through the plagues.
3.
The PassoverA pivotal event where God instructs the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood to be spared from the final plague.
4.
MosesThe leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.
5.
The LambA symbol of purity and sacrifice, representing the means by which the Israelites are saved from the plague of the firstborn.
Teaching Points
The Importance of PurityThe requirement for an unblemished lamb underscores the necessity of purity in our offerings and lives. We are called to live holy lives, set apart for God.
Symbolism of the LambThe lamb represents innocence and sacrifice. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills this role as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, offering Himself for our sins.
God's Provision for SalvationJust as God provided a means of salvation for the Israelites through the Passover lamb, He provides salvation for us through Jesus Christ.
Obedience to God's InstructionsThe Israelites' obedience in selecting and sacrificing the lamb as instructed was crucial for their deliverance. Similarly, our obedience to God's Word is vital for experiencing His blessings.
Foreshadowing of ChristThe Passover lamb is a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice. Understanding this connection deepens our appreciation for the continuity of God's redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 12:5?
2.Why is the lamb required to be "without blemish" in Exodus 12:5?
3.How does Exodus 12:5 foreshadow Christ's sacrifice as the "spotless lamb"?
4.What does "a year-old male" signify in the context of Exodus 12:5?
5.How can we apply the principle of offering our best to God today?
6.How does Exodus 12:5 connect to the concept of purity in worship?
7.Why is a year-old male lamb without blemish required in Exodus 12:5?
8.How does Exodus 12:5 foreshadow the concept of Jesus as the Lamb of God?
9.What is the significance of choosing a lamb or goat in Exodus 12:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 12?
11.Is Jesus considered the Passover Lamb?
12.What is the concept of vicarious atonement?
13.Is Jesus considered the Passover Lamb?
14.What does "Agnus Dei" mean?What Does Exodus 12:5 Mean
Your lamb• Ownership is personal: “Your lamb” (Exodus 12:5) stresses that every household had to present its own sacrifice; no one could rely on a neighbor’s offering (cf. v. 3–4).
• God teaches personal responsibility for sin and redemption (Jeremiah 31:29-30;Romans 14:12).
• The definite article in later verses (“the lamb,” v. 6) points to the unique, once-for-all Lamb of God revealed in Jesus (John 1:29;Revelation 5:6).
must be an unblemished• “An unblemished” animal demonstrates God’s demand for perfection (Leviticus 1:3;Malachi 1:8).
• Physical soundness symbolizes moral purity; any defect would distort the picture of a flawless Redeemer (1 Peter 1:18-19;Hebrews 4:15).
• The practical result: the people had to examine the animal carefully, foreshadowing the way Christ was scrutinized yet found innocent (Luke 23:4, 14).
year-old male• A male in the first year was in the prime of life—vigorous, valuable, and full-grown (Leviticus 22:27).
• This mirrors Jesus’ sacrifice at the height of His earthly ministry (Luke 3:23;John 10:17-18).
• The stipulation reinforces that God’s provision is not second-rate; He gives His best (Romans 8:32).
you may take it from the sheep or the goats• Both sheep and goats were acceptable herd animals in Israel, making obedience possible for every family regardless of wealth or flock composition (Deuteronomy 14:4).
• The choice underscores accessibility: salvation is offered to all who will heed God’s word (Isaiah 45:22;Acts 10:34-35).
• Later imagery distinguishes sheep and goats morally (Matthew 25:31-33), but at this point the focus is on a spotless substitute, not the species.
summaryExodus 12:5 reveals God’s redemptive blueprint: each household presents its own flawless, prime-aged male animal—whether sheep or goat—to die in its place. The requirements point to Christ, the perfect, willingly offered Lamb, available to all and sufficient for each.
(5)
Without blemish.--Natural piety teaches that we must not "offer the blind, the lame, or the sick for sacrifice" (
Malachi 1:8). We must give to (
God of our best. The Law emphasized this teaching, and here, on the first occasion when a sacrifice was formally appointed, required it to be absolutely without blemish of any kind. Afterwards the requirement was made general (
Leviticus 22:19-25). It was peculiarly fitting that the Paschal offering should be without defect of any kind, as especially typifying "the Lamb of God," who is "holy, harmless, undefiled"--a "lamb without spot."
A male.--Males were reckoned superior to females, and were especially appropriate here, since the victim represented the firstborn male in each house.
Of the first year--i.e., not above a year old. As children are most innocent when young, so even animals were thought to be.
Verse 5.Your lamb shall be without blemish. Natural piety would teach that "the blind, the lame, and the sick" should not be selected for sacrifice (
Malachi 1:8). The Law afterwards expressly forbade any blemished animals - "blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed" - to be offered for any of the stated sacrifices, though they might be given as free-will offerings (
Leviticus 22:20-25). The absence of blemish was especially important in a victim which was to typify One "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners."
A male. As standing in place of and redeeming the first-born of the
males in each family.
Of the first year. Perhaps as then more approaching to the ideal of perfect innocence. The requirement was not a usual one.
Or from the goats. Theodoret says the proviso was made for the relief of the poorer class of persons; but practically it seems not to have taken effect. When people were poor, their richer neighbours supplied them with lambs (Kalisch).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Your lambשֶׂ֥ה(śeh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716:A member of a, flock, a sheep, goatmust beיִהְיֶ֣ה(yih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bean unblemishedתָמִ֛ים(ṯā·mîm)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8549:Entire, integrity, truthyear-oldבֶּן־(ben-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A sonmale,זָכָ֥ר(zā·ḵār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145:Remembered, a male[and] you may takeתִּקָּֽחוּ׃(tiq·qā·ḥū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3947:To takeit fromמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofthe sheepהַכְּבָשִׂ֥ים(hak·kə·ḇā·śîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3532:A lambor the goats.הָעִזִּ֖ים(hā·‘iz·zîm)Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5795:Female goat
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OT Law: Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish (Exo. Ex) 
