The Typological Symbol of the Lamb in the Bible
From the earliest times of human being, images and symbols were a part of social and religious life and integrated its culture. Symbolism has played an active role in all world‘s religions from the beginning and symbols were objects which believers focused on and where they set prayers. The word symbol comes from the Greek word symbollo. Symbol is defined as "something visible that by association represents something else that is invisible.“ The origin, meaning and traditions of Christian symbols originate in the old times when people cannot read and write and education was not accessible.
One of the most important symbols of Christ in the Bible is the Lamb. Lamb represents Jesus ("And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" John 1:36) and the Church ("...he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Isaiah 53:7).
What are the definition and the meaning of the Lamb? In the Bible, lambs are depicted as animals which are killed. They are defenceless and easy to be hurt. People, who were undergoing hard conditions and suffering from brutal treatment, were compared to lambs that are led to be slaughtered. A lamb is a descendant of a sheep. In Christian symbolism, a lamb represents Jesus Chris, a descendant of God His Father. The whiteness of the Lamb symbolises innocence and purity. Lambs won’t hurt anyone. They are moderate, inquisitive and submissive. They take a good care for their own as well as the rest of the group and are always seen together. Jesus came from his Father to teach us how to act and how to be. Using parables, he was explaining what God is like and what we should be like. Jesus was explaining His love against people, His desire to be our fellow and comparing us to lambs and sheep, He was demonstrating His will to group us all into His Church. He called himself a Lamb, which was slaughtered for our sins and purified us with His blood.
Old Testament
One of the most important symbols of Christ in the Bible is the Lamb. Lamb represents Jesus ("And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" John 1:36) and the Church ("...he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Isaiah 53:7).
What are the definition and the meaning of the Lamb? In the Bible, lambs are depicted as animals which are killed. They are defenceless and easy to be hurt. People, who were undergoing hard conditions and suffering from brutal treatment, were compared to lambs that are led to be slaughtered. A lamb is a descendant of a sheep. In Christian symbolism, a lamb represents Jesus Chris, a descendant of God His Father. The whiteness of the Lamb symbolises innocence and purity. Lambs won’t hurt anyone. They are moderate, inquisitive and submissive. They take a good care for their own as well as the rest of the group and are always seen together. Jesus came from his Father to teach us how to act and how to be. Using parables, he was explaining what God is like and what we should be like. Jesus was explaining His love against people, His desire to be our fellow and comparing us to lambs and sheep, He was demonstrating His will to group us all into His Church. He called himself a Lamb, which was slaughtered for our sins and purified us with His blood.
Old Testament