How is Lamb Used in the Bible?
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Key Facts
Term Name
Lamb
Primary Meaning
Represents sacrifice, purity, and substitutionary atonement.
Old Testament Reference
The Passover lamb in Exodus 12:1-14.
New Testament Fulfillment
Jesus Christ, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Key Takeaways
- The lamb symbolizes sacrifice, purity, and redemption in the Bible.
- The Passover lamb in Exodus 12 established substitutionary atonement through blood rituals.
- Jesus as the Lamb of God fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial system in John 1:29.
The Lamb in the Old Testament
The lamb's symbolic significance in Scripture begins with the Passover institution in Exodus 12, where it became a central act of divine deliverance.
Exodus 12:1-14 describes the Passover lamb whose blood marked Israelite homes, sparing them from the final plague in Egypt—a vivid demonstration of atonement through substitutionary sacrifice. This ritual established a covenantal framework, linking obedience to God’s commands with preservation and freedom. Throughout the Mosaic sacrificial system (Leviticus 4-5), lambs served as offerings for sin, embodying themes of purity and the cost of reconciling with a holy God. The lamb thus symbolized both the seriousness of sin and the possibility of mercy through prescribed rituals.
Prophetic texts like Isaiah 53:7 foreshadowed a 'suffering lamb,' describing a figure who 'was led like a lamb to the slaughter,' bearing the sins of many. This imagery recontextualized the lamb’s role from a ritual object to a symbol of vicarious suffering, anticipating the redemptive narrative fulfilled in the New Testament.
Jesus as the Lamb of God
In the New Testament, the lamb symbol reaches its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the themes of sacrifice and redemption established in the Hebrew Scriptures.
John 1:29 records John the Baptist’s pivotal declaration: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” This title directly connects Jesus to the Passover lamb’s saving work (Exodus 12) and the prophetic imagery of Isaiah 53:7, framing His death as the definitive, substitutionary atonement for humanity’s sin. Unlike the temporary offerings of the Mosaic system, Jesus’ sacrifice is eternal, rendering further animal rituals obsolete (Hebrews 10:10-14). His resurrection confirms the Lamb’s triumph over death, establishing a new covenant rooted in grace rather than law.
Revelation 5:6 vividly portrays the risen Christ as the Lamb ‘standing as though it had been slain,’ positioned at the center of God’s heavenly throne. This vision underscores His unique role as both the slain redeemer and the sovereign ruler, with seven horns (symbolizing divine power) and seven eyes (representing complete wisdom). The Lamb’s authority to open the scroll of divine judgment (Revelation 5:7-10) affirms that salvation and cosmic history depend on His atoning work.
The centrality of the Lamb in Revelation’s throne scene reveals that God’s redemptive plan culminates in Christ’s sacrifice. By linking Jesus’ death with His exalted status at God’s right hand, the vision transforms the lamb into a symbol of victory, not vulnerability. This imagery prepares readers for the book’s ultimate message: the Lamb’s sacrifice reconciles creation to God, paving the way for the new heaven and earth described in Revelation 21-22.
What the Lamb of God Means for Us Today
The Lamb of God remains central to Christian identity, embodying redemption and triumph through Jesus' sacrifice as revealed in Revelation 5:6.
The Lamb's sacrifice, as John the Baptist proclaimed in John 1:29 ('Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'), redefines grace as a divine initiative that transcends human effort. This imagery of purity and substitutionary atonement calls believers to embrace a faith rooted in God's mercy rather than legalism. The Lamb's triumph over sin and death, symbolized by His resurrected yet scarred form in Revelation 5:6, challenges followers to live with hope and courage in the face of suffering. By modeling sacrificial love, the Lamb's legacy invites modern Christians to pursue reconciliation and justice, reflecting the redemptive power of Christ's atonement in their communities.
Going Deeper
To deepen our understanding of the Lamb's symbolism, we can explore related imagery such as the 'Lion of the tribe of Judah' in Revelation 5:5, which complements the Lamb's role as both sacrificial victim and sovereign ruler.
Revelation's apocalyptic vision intertwines these symbols to portray Christ's dual nature—his vulnerability as a slain Lamb (Revelation 5:6) and his power as a conquering Lion. For further study, consider commentaries on Revelation's symbolic language or theological resources on the interplay between sacrifice and sovereignty in Christian tradition.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Exodus 12:1-14
The institution of the Passover lamb as a symbol of divine deliverance and atonement.
John 1:29
John the Baptist declares Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sin.
Revelation 5:6
The risen Christ is depicted as a Lamb 'looking as if it had been slain' at the center of God's throne.
Related Concepts
Passover (Events)
The annual Jewish festival commemorating liberation from Egypt, central to the lamb's sacrificial symbolism.
Suffering Servant (Theological Concepts)
Isaiah 53's prophetic figure foreshadowing Jesus as the Lamb bearing humanity's sins.
Lion of the tribe of Judah (Symbols)
Revelation 5:5's complementary symbol of Christ's sovereignty alongside His lamb-like sacrifice.