The Lamb
Define
- Hebrew word: seh (שֶׂה) - lamb, sheep, goat (young animal for sacrifice)
- Greek word: arnion (ἀρνίον) - little lamb, lambkin
Related words
Additional Info
- In Revelation 14, "the Lamb" (arnion) stands on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who follow Him.
- Seh is used for the Passover lamb
- Arnion is used 29 times in Revelation for the Lamb.
The Lamb is the Messiah
- Isaiah 53:7 describes the suffering servant (recognized as the Messiah) as a seh (שֶׂה) — lamb — led to the slaughter: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb (seh) to the slaughter."
- John 1:29 — John the Baptist declares: "Behold the Lamb (amnos, ἀμνός) of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." This directly applies the sacrificial lamb imagery to the Messiah.
- Acts 8:32-35 — Philip explains Isaiah 53:7-8 to the Ethiopian eunuch as referring to Jesus, confirming the lamb-like suffering servant is the Messiah.
- Revelation repeatedly presents the Lamb (arnion, ἀρνίον) in Messianic roles: worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:5-9, linked to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David — clear Messianic titles from Genesis 49:9-10 and Isaiah 11:1,10).
- The Lamb on the throne rules the nations (Revelation 12:5; 19:15), fulfilling Messianic prophecies (Psalm 2:9).
The Lamb is Jesus
- Revelation 5:5-6 explicitly equates the Lion of Judah/Root of David (Messianic titles) with "a Lamb (arnion) as it had been slain."
- Revelation 7:17 — "For the Lamb (arnion) which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them" echoes Jesus' own words as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-14).
- Revelation 17:14 — "the Lamb (arnion) shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings" — titles applied to Jesus (Revelation 19:16; 1 Timothy 6:15).
- Revelation 19:11-16 describes the returning rider called Faithful and True, with a name "The Word of God" (John 1:1,14 — Jesus), and on His thigh "King of kings, and Lord of lords" — the same Lamb who was slain now weds the bride (Revelation 19:7-9).
- Revelation 22:1,3 — The Lamb (arnion) is on the throne with God, sharing divine worship (Revelation 5:13; 22:3-4), consistent only with Jesus as God incarnate (John 1:1; 20:28).
Connections
- Revelation 5:6
- Revelation 5:12
- Revelation 7:17
- Revelation 14:1
- Revelation 14:4
- Revelation 21:22
- John 1:29
- Exodus 12:5
- Isaiah 53:7
Connections
Birth and Ancestors
- Timeframe: Before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8)
- Place: Bethlehem (implied from prophetic connection to Micah 5:2; Revelation's Lamb draws from Passover lamb and Messianic prophecies)
- Father: God the Father (John 1:29, 36; implied in Revelation as the Lamb of God)
- Hebrew meaning of Name: The Lamb (arnion in Greek) connects to Hebrew seh (שֶׂה) or kebes (כֶּבֶשׂ), meaning young lamb or sheep, as in the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:5)
Marriage and Descendants
- Spouse #1: The bride (the redeemed saints; Revelation 19:7-9; 21:9)
- Story: Marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9)
Land and Dwelling
Dwelling Places
- In heaven, on the throne (Revelation 5:6; 7:17; 22:1,3)
- Mount Zion (Revelation 14:1)
Occupation and Military
- Shepherd of the living fountain of waters (Revelation 7:17)
- Victorious conqueror (Revelation 17:14)
Medical and Death
- Slain (as if slaughtered; Revelation 5:6,9,12; 13:8)
Righteousness and Unrighteousness
Righteousness
- Worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:9-10)
- Redeems people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation by His blood (Revelation 5:9; 7:14)
- The redeemed follow the Lamb wherever He goes (Revelation 14:4)
Unrighteousness
Other
- The Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes (Revelation 5:6)
- The wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16)