The meaning of “ἀρνίον”
Understanding arníon reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
diminutive from ἀρήν lamb. - a lambkin
ἀρνίον
diminutive from ἀρήν lamb. - a lambkin
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| John 21:15 | “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” Word: ἀρνίον (arníon) | |
| Revelation 14:1 | “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Word: ἀρνίον (arníon) |
Usage Statistics
Theological Word Study: Lamb
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Lamb, young sheep
The Hebrew seh (שֶׂה) denotes a lamb—central to Israel's sacrificial system. The Passover lamb's blood protected Israel from judgment (Exodus 12), and Isaiah prophesied the Servant would be 'brought as a lamb to the slaughter' (Isaiah 53:7).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Lamb
The Greek amnos (ἀμνός) means lamb. John declared Jesus 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). In Revelation, Christ is the slain Lamb (arnion) who alone is worthy to open the scroll.