Exodus 12:5
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Original Language Analysis
תָמִ֛ים
shall be without blemish
H8549
תָמִ֛ים
shall be without blemish
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
2 of 12
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
זָכָ֥ר
a male
H2145
זָכָ֥ר
a male
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
בֶּן
of the first
H1121
בֶּן
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Malachi 1:14But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.Deuteronomy 17:1Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;Leviticus 1:10And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.Leviticus 23:12And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.Leviticus 1:3If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern sacrificial systems required unblemished animals, but Israel's Passover lamb uniquely combined domestic intimacy (selected four days early) with sacrificial perfection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's sinless perfection qualify Him as your substitute when your own righteousness falls short?
- What does the specification of a young, vigorous lamb teach about the cost of redemption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The lamb must be 'tamiym' (תָּמִים)—without blemish, perfect, complete. This requirement establishes the principle of substitutionary perfection: the sacrifice must be flawless to bear the penalty for the flawed. Peter explicitly connects this to Christ: 'a lamb without blemish and without spot' (1 Peter 1:19). The 'male of the first year' indicates prime vitality.