Lexical Summary arnion: Lamb Original Word: ἀρνίον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lamb. Diminutive from aren; a lambkin -- lamb. see GREEK aren HELPS Word-studies 721 arníon (the diminutive of 704 /arḗn, "a sheep") – properly, a young lamb, "a little lamb" (J. Thayer); (figuratively) a person with pure (innocent), virgin-like (gentle) intentions. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 721: ἀρνίονἀρνίον, ἀρνίου, τά (diminutive from ἀρήν, which see) (from Lysias down), a little lamb, a lamb: Revelation 13:11; Jesus calls his followers τά ἀρνία μου in John 21:15; τό ἀρνίον is used of Christ, innocently suffering and dying to expiate the sins of men, very often in Revelation, as Revelation 5:6, 8, 12, etc. (Jeremiah 11:19; Jeremiah 27:45 Topical Lexicon The Lamb Motif in ScriptureThe noun ἀρνίον (Strong’s 721) is the Spirit-given lens through which the New Testament interprets the person and work of Jesus Christ. Drawn from Israel’s sacrificial vocabulary yet elevated to eschatological heights, the term gathers up centuries of redemptive expectation and concentrates them in the glorified Messiah who now rules and will return. Old Testament Foreshadowing • Passover (Exodus 12): the lamb’s blood shields from wrath. These strands converge in the New Testament usage of ἀρνίον, showing continuity between covenants and the divine plan of redemption. Christological Title In Revelation ἀρνίον is virtually a proper name for Jesus Christ, occurring 29 times. It presents the paradox of majesty through meekness: the Sovereign who reigns because He was slain. John’s single Synoptic-style instance (John 21:15) accents the Shepherd’s care, while the Apocalypse unfolds His cosmic authority. Atonement and Sacrifice Revelation 5:6–10 portrays the Lamb “who appeared to have been slain” and yet stands enthroned. His blood “purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” The image cements the once-for-all nature of the cross while displaying its eternal efficacy. Priestly and Kingly Roles The Lamb is at once victim and priest, sovereign and shepherd: • Mediator: His blood cleanses (Revelation 7:14). Such multidimensional usage safeguards the unity of Christ’s offices without confusion. Eschatological Victory Revelation 17:14 summarizes history: “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.” The decisive battle has been won at Calvary; the final manifestation awaits His return. Pastoral Implications (John 21:15) When the risen Jesus commissions Peter, He says, “Feed My lambs.” The diminutive ἀρνία underscores tender concern for the vulnerable. Pastoral ministry therefore flows from the Lamb’s own shepherd heart and is measured by faithful nourishment of His flock. Worship and Liturgy Heaven’s liturgy centers on the Lamb: • Doxology of worth (Revelation 5:12). Earthly worship mirrors this pattern whenever believers extol Christ crucified and risen. The Lamb’s Book and People Revelation 13:8 and 21:27 speak of the “book of life belonging to the Lamb,” linking election, perseverance, and glory to His redemptive accomplishment. Those washed in His blood form the multinational multitude that will dwell forever in the New Jerusalem. Ethical and Missional Outworking The Lamb’s self-giving shapes Christian ethics (Revelation 12:11): “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Victory is achieved through martyr-like witness rather than worldly power, embodying the Lamb’s own pattern of conquest. Key Passages • John 21:15 – Shepherd commission. Theological Summary ἀρνίον gathers the entire biblical message into a single, vivid christological symbol: judgment satisfied, sin forgiven, peoples redeemed, creation renewed, all through the voluntary sacrifice and sovereign reign of Jesus Christ. To know the Lamb is to know salvation; to follow Him is to embrace both the cross and the crown. Forms and Transliterations αρνια αρνία ἀρνία αρνιον αρνίον ἀρνίον αρνιου αρνίου ἀρνίου αρνιω αρνίω ἀρνίῳ αροτήρες αροτριάσιν αροτρίασις arnia arnía arnio arniō arníoi arníōi arnion arníon arniou arníouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 21:15 N-ANPGRK: Βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου NAS: You. He said to him, Tend My lambs. KJV: Feed my lambs. INT: Feed the lambs of me Revelation 5:6 N-NNS Revelation 5:8 N-GNS Revelation 5:12 N-NNS Revelation 5:13 N-DNS Revelation 6:1 N-NNS Revelation 6:16 N-GNS Revelation 7:9 N-GNS Revelation 7:10 N-DNS Revelation 7:14 N-GNS Revelation 7:17 N-NNS Revelation 12:11 N-GNS Revelation 13:8 N-GNS Revelation 13:11 N-DNS Revelation 14:1 N-NNS Revelation 14:4 N-DNS Revelation 14:4 N-DNS Revelation 14:10 N-GNS Revelation 15:3 N-GNS Revelation 17:14 N-GNS Revelation 17:14 N-NNS Revelation 19:7 N-GNS Revelation 19:9 N-GNS Revelation 21:9 N-GNS Revelation 21:14 N-GNS Strong's Greek 721 |
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