Topical Encyclopedia The lamb holds significant importance in biblical texts, both as a symbol and as a practical source of sustenance. In the context of food, the lamb is most prominently featured in the Old Testament, where it is intricately linked with the religious and cultural practices of the Israelites.Passover Lamb The most notable instance of the lamb being used for food is during the Passover, as described in the Book of Exodus. The Passover lamb was central to the commemoration of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. In Exodus 12:3-11 , God commands Moses and Aaron to instruct the Israelites to select a lamb for each household on the tenth day of the first month. The lamb was to be without blemish, a year-old male, and could be taken from either the sheep or the goats. On the fourteenth day, the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel was to slaughter the lambs at twilight. The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels of the houses, and the flesh was to be roasted and eaten that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The instructions were specific: "Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire—its head and legs and inner parts" (Exodus 12:9). The lamb was to be consumed in haste, with the participants dressed for travel, symbolizing the urgency of their impending departure from Egypt. Sacrificial System Beyond the Passover, lambs were also integral to the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 1:10 specifies that if the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, it must be a male without blemish from the sheep or the goats. The lamb was a common offering for various sacrifices, including sin offerings and peace offerings, as outlined in Leviticus 4 and 3, respectively. These sacrifices often involved the consumption of the lamb by the priests and, in some cases, by the offerer, as part of a communal meal in the presence of the Lord. Symbolism and Fulfillment The use of the lamb for food in the Old Testament is rich with symbolic meaning, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The unblemished lamb of the Passover and sacrificial system prefigures Christ's sinless nature and His role as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's redemption. The Apostle Paul draws a direct connection between Christ and the Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7 : "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." Cultural and Dietary Practices In addition to its religious significance, the lamb was a staple in the diet of the ancient Near East. The pastoral lifestyle of the Israelites meant that sheep were a primary source of meat, milk, and wool. The preparation and consumption of lamb were governed by dietary laws that emphasized purity and holiness, as seen in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These laws distinguished the Israelites from surrounding nations and reinforced their identity as God's chosen people. The lamb, therefore, serves as a profound symbol of deliverance, sacrifice, and sustenance throughout the biblical narrative, embodying both the physical nourishment and spiritual redemption provided by God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 32:14Butter of cows, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and you did drink the pure blood of the grape. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 12:4 Library The Story of Abraham and Isaac Entire Sanctification in Type. Leviticus. A Rich Man who was a Thief The Lamb of God in Scripture Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ... Of the Cross, and Other Tortures of Jesus, and of the Figure of ... Jesus is Born in Bethlehem Blessed be that First Day of Thine, Lord, Wherewith this Day of ... Christ with Chrism, Lo! Resources What is the significance of sheep in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIf Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? | GotQuestions.org If Jesus was crucified on the Day of Preparation, why had He already eaten the Passover meal? | GotQuestions.org Lamb: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Lamb: Not to be Seethed (Boiled) in Its own Mother's Milk The Lamb of Any Thing Dear or Cherished The Lamb of Christ As a Sacrifice The Lamb: (Among Wolves) of Ministers Among the Ungodly The Lamb: (Brought to Slaughter) of the Wicked Under Judgments The Lamb: (Consumed in Sacrifice) of Complete Destruction of The The Lamb: (Deserted and Exposed) of Israel Deprived of God's The Lamb: (Patience of) the Patience of Christ The Lamb: An Extensive Commerce In The Lamb: Considered a Great Delicacy The Lamb: Covenants Confirmed by Gift of The Lamb: Exposed to Danger from Wild Beasts The Lamb: Numbers of, Given by Josiah to the People for Sacrifice The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice by the Wicked not Accepted The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: At a Year Old The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: At the Passover The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Every Morning and Evening The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Females The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: from the Earliest Times The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Males The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: While Sucking The Lamb: The First Born of an Donkey to be Redeemed With The Lamb: The Image of, Was the First Impression of on Money The Lamb: The Shepherd's Care For The Lamb: The Young of the Flock The Lamb: Tribute often Paid In Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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