Lamb
In Scripture, a lamb commonly signifies innocence, sacrifice, and dependence on God. Most importantly, Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He gave Himself as the sacrificial offering for sin.
At a Glance
In Scripture, a lamb commonly signifies innocence, sacrifice, and dependence on God. Most importantly, Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He gave Himself as the sacrificial offering for sin.
Description
"Lamb" is an important biblical image that moves from ordinary life and sacrificial worship to its fullest meaning in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, lambs were used in offerings and are especially associated with Passover, where the blood of the lamb marked God’s saving deliverance. The prophets also use lamb imagery for meekness and suffering. In the New Testament, John the Baptist calls Jesus "the Lamb of God," identifying Him as the one who fulfills what the sacrificial system pointed toward by giving Himself for sinners. Revelation then joins sacrifice and triumph by portraying Christ as the Lamb who was slain and yet lives and reigns. Because the term can refer either to an actual animal or to this major theological title for Christ, the entry is best handled as a theological image centered on His atoning work and victorious lordship.