Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Symbolism:In the Bible, the term "lamb" is rich with symbolic meaning, often representing innocence, purity, and sacrifice. Lambs are frequently used in sacrificial contexts, symbolizing atonement and redemption. The imagery of the lamb is central to both Old and New Testament theology, serving as a powerful representation of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial role in salvation history.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, lambs were integral to the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. The Passover lamb, as described in
Exodus 12, is one of the most significant uses of a lamb in the Hebrew Scriptures. God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to their doorposts, so the angel of death would pass over their homes during the final plague in Egypt. This event is commemorated annually in the Jewish Passover festival.
Leviticus 4:32-35 outlines the use of a lamb as a sin offering, emphasizing the importance of a spotless lamb to atone for the sins of the people. The requirement for the lamb to be without blemish underscores the need for purity in the sacrificial system.
New Testament Fulfillment:The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system through Jesus Christ, often referred to as the "Lamb of God." John the Baptist identifies Jesus in
John 1:29, saying, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" This declaration highlights Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, whose death would atone for the sins of humanity.
The Book of Revelation frequently uses the imagery of the lamb to describe Jesus in His glorified state.
Revelation 5:12 proclaims, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" This passage emphasizes the worthiness and exaltation of Christ as the sacrificial lamb who has triumphed over sin and death.
Theological Significance:The lamb symbolizes the core of Christian theology: the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity. The concept of Jesus as the Lamb of God is central to understanding the atonement and the new covenant established through His blood. The purity and innocence of the lamb reflect the sinless nature of Christ, who willingly laid down His life for the salvation of mankind.
The lamb also serves as a reminder of the call to live a life of purity and sacrifice, following the example of Christ. Believers are encouraged to emulate the humility and obedience of the lamb, as seen in passages like
1 Peter 1:18-19, which states, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."
Conclusion:The imagery of the lamb in the Bible is a profound representation of sacrifice, purity, and redemption. It serves as a powerful symbol of Jesus Christ's role as the ultimate sacrificial offering, fulfilling the requirements of the Old Testament law and establishing a new covenant of grace for all who believe.
Greek
721b. arnion -- a littlelamb... a little
lamb. Transliteration: arnion Short Definition:
Lamb.
... from aren Definition
a little
lamb NASB Word Usage
Lamb (27),
lamb (1),
Lamb's (1), lambs (1).
...Library
The Bride, theLamb's Wife
... HYMNS THE BRIDE, THELAMB'S WIFE. "Whom have I in Heaven but Thee?... Can they not fill
this heart of thine? "Nay, were theLamb their Light withdrawn,....
Now at theLamb's Royal Feast
... No. 30 Now at theLamb's royal feast. EASTERTIDE Now at theLamb's royal feast
Ad regias Agni dapes. Tr. Rev. E. Caswall Nicola. A. Montani....
Easter Day 178. At theLamb's High Feast we Sing
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Easter Day 178. At theLamb's high feast we sing. Eight 7's...
Alt. At theLamb's high feast we sing. Praise to our victorious King,....
Two Lists of Names
... they 'shall not be written in the writing of the house of Israel.' The Apocalypse
has many references to the book which is designated as 'theLamb's book of...
Sweet Place, Sweet Place Alone!
... Oh no! these needless are; TheLamb's the city's Light. There dwells my LORD, my
King,.... Their long'd-for Prince of Peace: TheLamb's Apostles there....
Of Preparation.
... First, Because it is God's commandment; for if he commanded, under the pain of death,
that none uncircumcised should eat the paschallamb (Exodus 12:48), nor...
Plenteous Redemption
... Christ has redeemed the souls of all those who die in infancy, seeing it is to be
received, that all those who die in infancy are written in theLamb's book of...
In the Holy of Holies.
... The holy city, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the
kingdom, is called "the bride, theLamb's wife." Said the angel to John, "Come...
In the Holy of Holies
... The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the
kingdom, is called "the bride, theLamb's wife." Said the angel to John: "Come...
The Comer's Conflict with Satan
... me to stir up the soil, or to wait till I see the blade shooting from under the
earth; so I cannot tell whether you name is written in theLamb's book of life...
Thesaurus
Lamb's (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Lamb's (4 Occurrences). Revelation
... tribulation. They washed
their robes, and made them white in the
Lamb's blood. (WEB).
...Vials (5 Occurrences)
... Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before theLamb, having every one of them harps, and golden...
Overcame (84 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS NAS NIV). Revelation 12:11 They overcame him because of
theLamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony....
Loaded (21 Occurrences)
... and he spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the wife, the
Lamb's bride." (WEB). Genesis 37:25 They sat down to eat...
Impure (28 Occurrences)
... 21:27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an
abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in theLamb's book of life...
Falsehood (107 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:27 And nothing unclean may come into it, or anyone whose works are
cursed or false; but only those whose names are in theLamb's book of life....
Faced (32 Occurrences)
... womb. (See NIV). Revelation 12:11 They overcame him because of theLamb's
blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They...
Tells (38 Occurrences)
... no unclean thing shall ever enter it, nor any one who is guilty of base conduct
or tells lies, but only they whose names stand recorded in theLamb's Book of...
Robes (124 Occurrences)
... multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples,
and languages, standing before the throne and before theLamb, dressed in...
Resources
Is there a difference between the book of life and the Lamb's book of life? | GotQuestions.orgIs it possible for a person's name to be erased from the Book of Life? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Book of Life? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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