Bible Dictionary

Lamb

Jesus Christ • Both

A lamb is a young sheep used in ordinary life and prominently in Israel’s sacrifices, including the daily offerings and Passover. Its meekness and innocence also make it a biblical picture of Christ, the Lamb of God who gives Himself as a sacrifice.

Definition

A lamb is a young sheep; the biblical terminology can also include a young ram, a ewe lamb, or one animal taken from the flock. Lambs were used extensively in Israel’s sacrifices and at Passover. In Scripture they also represent meekness and innocence and serve as a figure of Christ’s sacrificial work.

Biblical Usage

Lambs were offered in daily worship, on Sabbaths, at new moons, appointed feasts, and Passover. Scripture uses the lamb as a symbol of meekness and innocence and calls Christ the Lamb of God, the great sacrifice of which earlier offerings were types.

Historical Background

The ordinary sacrificial lamb was commonly a young ram. The sources preserve several Hebrew and Greek terms for lamb, young lamb, sheep, and flock.

Scripture References

Exodus 29:38-42 Numbers 28:9 Leviticus 23:18-20 Exodus 12:5 1 Chronicles 29:21 2 Chronicles 29:21 Leviticus 9:3 Leviticus 14:10-25 1 Samuel 7:9 Isaiah 65:25 Isaiah 11:6 Luke 10:3 John 21:15 Genesis 4:4 Exodus 12:3 Exodus 29:38 Isaiah 16:1 Isaiah 53:7 John 1:36 Revelation 13:8 John 1:29 Numbers 6:12 Leviticus 14:12-17 1 Corinthians 5:7

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Heb. kebes, a male lamb from the first to the third year. Offered daily at the morning and the evening sacrifice (Ex. 29:38-42), on the Sabbath day (Num. 28:9), at the feast of the New Moon (28:11), of Trumpets (29:2), of Tabernacles (13-40), of Pentecost (Lev. 23:18-20), and of the Passover (Ex. 12:5), and on many other occasions (1 Chr. 29:21; 2 Chr. 29:21; Lev. 9:3; 14:10-25). (2.) Heb. taleh, a young sucking lamb (1 Sam. 7:9; Isa. 65:25). In the symbolical language of Scripture the lamb is the type of meekness and innocence (Isa. 11:6; 65:25; Luke 10:3; John 21:15). The lamb was a symbol of Christ (Gen. 4:4; Ex. 12:3; 29:38; Isa. 16:1; 53:7; John 1:36; Rev. 13:8). Christ is called the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36), as the great sacrifice of which the former sacrifices were only types (Num. 6:12; Lev. 14:12-17; Isa. 53:7; 1 Cor. 5:7).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

lam:(1) The most used word is kebhes, "a young ram"; compare Arabic kebsh, "ram"; often of sacrifices; (feminine) kabhsah, or kibchsah, "ewe lamb" (2Sa 12:3); by transposition kesebh, and feminine kisbah (Ge 30:40; Le 3:7; 5:6).(2) kar, "lamb" (De 32:14; 1Sa 15:9; 2Ki 3:4).(3) seh, "one" of the flock (Ge 22:7; Le 5:7).(4) tso'n, "sheep," "goats," "flock"; compare Arabic da'n, "sheep" (Ex 12:21); and ben tso'n (Ps 114:4).(5) Taleh, "young lamb"; compare Arabic Tali, "young lamb"; and Tela'im (1Sa 7:9; Isa 40:11; 65:25).(6) 'immerin (Ezr 6:9,17; 7:17).(7) arnas, accusative plural (Lu 10:3); diminutive arnion (Joh 21:15; Re 5:6, etc.).(8) amnos (Joh 1:29,36; Ac 8:32; 1Pe 1:19).See SHEEP.Alfred Ely Day

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