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The Lamb of God in Old Testament Prophecy

The concept of the "Lamb of God" finds its roots in the Old Testament sacrificial system and prophetic literature, culminating in its New Testament identification with Jesus Christ. Lambs were a central component of Israelite worship, used in various offerings and sacrifices from the earliest times [4, 5].

In the Old Testament, a lamb (Hebrew: kebes or taleh) was a common sacrificial animal, often a male from the first to third year [1]. Lambs were offered daily in morning and evening sacrifices, on the Sabbath, at New Moon festivals, and during major feasts like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles [1, 4]. Ezekiel 45:15 mentions "one lamb out of the flock" for a meat-offering, burnt-offering, and peace-offerings "to make reconciliation for them" [3]. The "fatted calf" was also a significant offering, and the practice of cutting a calf in two to ratify a covenant is mentioned in Jeremiah 34:18-19, echoing Genesis 15:9-10, 17-18 [7].

The Passover lamb holds particular significance as a type of Christ [8]. This lamb was to be a male of the first year, without blemish, taken from the flock, and chosen beforehand [8]. Its blood was shed and applied to the doorposts, signifying protection from the angel of death [8]. This ritual, established in Exodus 12:5, foreshadowed the atoning work of Jesus [8, 13].

Prophetic texts in the Old Testament further develop the imagery of a suffering servant who is likened to a lamb. Isaiah 53:7 describes this figure as "brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." This passage highlights the meekness and innocence associated with the lamb [1]. The prophet Zephaniah also speaks of a "godly remnant of Israel" whose ethical qualities are perfectly expressed by Jesus the Messiah, drawing parallels to Isaiah 42:1-4 and 53:3, 7-9 [9].

The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as the "Lamb of God." John the Baptist proclaims, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). This declaration directly alludes to Isaiah 53:7 and connects Jesus to the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament, particularly the Passover lamb, as the ultimate sacrifice for sin [13]. The Apostle Paul also refers to Christ as "our Passover lamb" (1 Corinthians 5:7) [8].

The imagery of the Lamb continues prominently in the book of Revelation, where Jesus is depicted as "the Lamb standing on Mount Zion" (Revelation 14:1) and as the one who overcomes all opposition, being "Lord of lords, and King of kings" (Revelation 17:14) [2, 6]. This Lamb is described as having been "slaughtered but was now standing," symbolizing Jesus' death and resurrection [14]. The Lamb's "seven horns" represent complete power, and "seven eyes" represent complete knowledge, further linking him to the perfect Spirit of God [14]. The expectation of the Messiah as a conquering lion by some Jews is contrasted with Jesus' appearance as a Lamb [14].

The "song of Moses and of the Lamb" in Revelation 15:3 connects the Old Testament deliverance at the Red Sea with the New Testament triumph through Christ, signifying the unity of God's redemptive plan across both testaments [12]. The Old Testament prophecies, such as those in Isaiah 42:1, 4, 6, which speak of a "new" thing concerning the Messiah, are understood to refer to the bringing of all nations to the worship of God through this figure [10, 11].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lamb — (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:”
  2. Revelation “I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. -- Revelation 14:1”
  3. Ezekiel “Ezekiel 45:15 (Webster) — And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat-offering, and for a burnt-offering, and for peace-offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD.”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lambs — are the young of sheep, but originally included also the young of goats. They formed an important part of almost every sacrifice. (Exodus 29:38-41; Numbers 28:9,11; 29,13-40) etc. [On the paschal lamb see [793]Passover]”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Lamb, The — The young of the flock -- Ex 12:5; Eze 45:15. Described as Patient. -- Isa 53:7. Playful. -- Ps 114:4,6. Exposed to danger from wild beasts -- 1Sa 17:34. The shepherd's care for -- Isa 40:11. Used for Food. -- De 32:14; 2Sa 12:4. Clothing. -- Pr 27:26. Sacrifice. -- 1Ch 29:21; 2Ch 29:32. Considered a great delicacy -- Am 6:4. Offered in sacrifice Males. -- Ex 12:5. Females. -- Nu 6:14. While sucking. -- 1Sa 7:9. At a year old. -- Ex 12:5; Nu 6:14. From the earliest times. -- Ge 4:4; 22:7,8. Every morning and evening. -- Ex 29:38,39; Nu 28:3,4. At the pass”
  6. Revelation “These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and those who are with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” -- Revelation 17:14”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Calf — Calves were commonly made use of in sacrifices, and are therefore frequently mentioned in Scripture. The "fatted calf" was regarded as the choicest of animal food; it was frequently also offered as a special sacrifice (1 Sam. 28:24; Amos 6:4; Luke 15:23). The words used in Jer. 34:18, 19, "cut the calf in twain," allude to the custom of dividing a sacrifice into two parts, between which the parties ratifying a covenant passed (Gen. 15:9, 10, 17, 18). The sacrifice of the lips, i.e., priase, is called "the calves of our lips" (Hos. 14:2, R.V., "as bullocks the ”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Paschal Lamb, Typical Nature Of — A type of Christ -- Ex 12:3; 1Co 5:7. A male of the first year -- Ex 12:5; Isa 9:6. Without blemish -- Ex 12:5; 1Pe 1:19. Taken out of the flock -- Ex 12:5; Heb 2:14,17. Chosen before-hand -- Ex 12:3; 1Pe 2:4. Shut up four days that it might be closely examined -- Ex 12:6; Joh 8:46; 18:38. Killed by the people -- Ex 12:6; Ac 2:23. Killed at the place where the Lord put his name -- De 16:2,5-7; 2Ch 35:1; Lu 13:33. Killed in the evening -- Ex 12:6; Mr 15:34,37. Its blood to be shed -- Ex 12:7; Lu 22:20. Blood of, sprinkled on lintel an”
  9. Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 3:12: 3:12 Jesus the Messiah perfectly expresses the ethical qualities predicted for the godly remnant of Israel (Isa 42:1-4; 53:3, 7-9; Zech 9:9; see Matt 11:28-30; 12:15-21; Phil 2:1-8; 1 Pet 2:23).”
  10. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 12:17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying-- (Isa 42:1).”
  11. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 42:9: former things--Former predictions of God, which were now fulfilled, are here adduced as proof that they ought to trust in Him alone as God; namely, the predictions as to Israel's restoration from Babylon. new--namely, predictions as to Messiah, who is to bring all nations to the worship of Jehovah (Isa 42:1, Isa 42:4, Isa 42:6). spring forth--The same image from plants just beginning to germinate occurs in Isa 43:19; Isa 58:8. Before there is the slightest indication to enable a sagacious observer to infer the coming event, God foretells it.”
  12. Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 15:3: song of Moses . . . and . . . the Lamb--The New Testament song of the Lamb (that is, the song which the Lamb shall lead, as being "the Captain of our salvation," just as Moses was leader of the Israelites, the song in which those who conquer through Him [Rom 8:37] shall join, Rev 12:11) is the antitype to the triumphant Old Testament song of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea (Exo. 15:1-21). The Churches of the Old and New Testament are essentially one in their conflicts and triumphs. The two appear joined in this phrase, as they are in the tw”
  13. John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 1:29: The next day - The day after that on which the Jews had been with John, Joh 1:19. Behold the Lamb of God, etc. - This was said in allusion to what was spoken Isa 53:7. Jesus was the true Lamb or Sacrifice required and appointed by God, of which those offered daily in the tabernacle and temple, Exo 29:38, Exo 29:39, and especially the paschal lamb, were only the types and representatives. See Exo 12:4, Exo 12:5; Co1 5:7. The continual morning and evening sacrifice of a lamb, under the Jewish law, was intended to point out the continual efficacy of the blood of atonemen”
  14. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 5:6: 5:6 The Jews expected the Messiah to appear as a conquering lion. Instead, Jesus came as a Lamb (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32-35; 1 Cor 5:7; 1 Pet 1:19). The Lamb that had been slaughtered but was now standing refers to Jesus’ death and resurrection. • The Lamb’s seven horns represent his complete power, and the seven eyes represent his complete knowledge (see Zech 4:10). He is also fully related to the perfect Spirit of God (Rev 1:4).”
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