The lamb is one of Scripture's most profound and sustained symbols, tracing the entire arc of redemptive history. It begins with Abraham's question β "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" (Gen 22:7) β answered ultimately in Christ. The Passover lamb (Exod 12) protected Israel from death through its blood on the doorposts; every daily Temple sacrifice of a lamb (Exod 29:38β42) rehearsed the coming atonement. Isaiah foretold the Suffering Servant "led like a lamb to the slaughter" (Isa 53:7). John the Baptist identified the fulfillment: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Revelation crowns this arc: the Lamb who was slain is also the Lion of Judah who rules from the throne (Rev 5:5β6) β meekness and power united in one Person. The Lamb is worshipped for eternity (Rev 5:12).
LAMB, n. The young of the sheep kind. Figuratively, an innocent or gentle person. In Scripture, Christ is called the Lamb of God; the Paschal lamb was a type of Christ, slain as a sacrifice to expiate sin. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom." β Revelation 5:12.
Modern sentimentality images the Lamb of God as purely gentle and non-threatening β "gentle Jesus, meek and mild" β severing the Lamb from the wrath of the Lamb (Rev 6:16β17). Revelation is clear: the wrath of the Lamb is among the most terrifying realities in creation. The Lamb is meek before His accusers and omnipotent over His enemies. Reducing Christ to only the gentle Lamb produces a savior who cannot save from anything, because he threatens nothing.
Genesis 22:8 β "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." β Abraham's prophetic word fulfilled in Christ.
Isaiah 53:7 β "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter."
John 1:29 β "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
Revelation 5:12 β "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
Revelation 6:16 β "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb."
H7716 β seh (Χ©ΦΆΧΧ) β a young sheep or goat; sacrificial animal
H2924 β taleh (ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧ) β lamb; young sheep
G286 β amnos (αΌΞΌΞ½ΟΟ) β lamb; used specifically for Christ as the sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29, Acts 8:32, 1 Pet 1:19)
G721 β arnion (αΌΟΞ½Ξ―ΞΏΞ½) β little lamb; used 28 times in Revelation for the enthroned, victorious Christ
"Every lamb on every altar in the Old Testament was a promissory note pointing to the one Lamb who would finally and fully pay the debt."
"The Lamb of Revelation is not defeated β He was slain and He conquered. The wounds are His trophies, not His weakness."
"Isaac asked, 'Where is the lamb?' β and God's answer took 2,000 years to arrive, fully and finally, at Calvary."