3776. kisbah
Lexical Summary
kisbah: Ewe lamb

Original Word: כִּשְׂבָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: kisbah
Pronunciation: kis-baw'
Phonetic Spelling: (kis-baw')
KJV: lamb
NASB: lamb
Word Origin: [feminine of H3775 (כֶּשֶׂב - sheep)]

1. a young ewe

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
lamb

Feminine of keseb; a young ewe -- lamb.

see HEBREW keseb

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
fem. of keseb
Definition
a ewe lamb
NASB Translation
lamb (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
כִּשְׂבָּה noun feminine ewe-lamb Leviticus 5:6 (P).

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Context

כִּשְׂבָּה appears once in the Hebrew Scriptures, in Leviticus 5:6. The term denotes a female lamb, specifically one presented for a sin offering when an Israelite has sinned unintentionally and becomes aware of personal guilt. Its placement in a chapter devoted to trespass and sin offerings highlights the importance of accessible atonement for all members of the covenant community.

Place in the Levitical Sacrificial System

Leviticus distinguishes several offerings—the burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt offerings—each teaching Israel a facet of holiness. The female lamb of Leviticus 5:6 serves within the sin offering (Hebrew ḥaṭṭāʾt). Unlike the burnt offering, which required a male without blemish (Leviticus 1:3), the sin offering for common Israelites could be either “a female lamb or goat” (Leviticus 5:6). The option of a כִּשְׂבָּה underscores two pastoral truths:

1. Accessibility: A female lamb was less costly than many male animals, ensuring that even poorer worshipers could obey the Lord’s statutes.
2. Substitution: Though the worshiper deserved judgment, the lamb bore the penalty. “The priest shall make atonement for them for their sin” (Leviticus 5:6).

Symbolic and Theological Significance

1. Innocence and Purity: Lambs, by nature gentle and unblemished, portray sinlessness—necessary for an acceptable sacrifice (compare Exodus 12:5).
2. Gender Nuance: The permission to bring a female lamb broadens the typological field, revealing that both sexes in the flock could prefigure the one perfect Sacrifice. Scripture never suggests inferiority in the female animal; rather, it highlights completeness: male and female together point to the wholeness of redemption.
3. Atonement and Forgiveness: The laying on of hands (implied by the wider sin-offering ritual) transferred guilt symbolically, culminating in the priest’s pronouncement of forgiveness (Leviticus 4:35; 5:6).

Historical Background

In Ancient Near Eastern culture, lambs were staples of pastoral life. A female lamb, valuable for breeding, represented a meaningful cost without being prohibitive. The Mosaic Law’s graduated sacrifices (Leviticus 5:7–13) move from a female lamb to two turtledoves or pigeons, and finally to a grain offering for the very poor, portraying divine compassion in economic diversity while maintaining the necessity of blood atonement whenever possible (Hebrews 9:22).

Prophetic Trajectory and New Testament Fulfillment

While Leviticus 5 uses a feminine noun, the broader “lamb” typology finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Isaiah foresaw Messiah “like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7), language appropriated by Peter: “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18–19). The solitary כִּשְׂבָּה incident therefore participates in a prophetic mosaic culminating at Calvary.

Practical Ministry Application

1. Assurance of Forgiveness: The once-for-all atonement in Christ grants believers confidence that every confessed sin is covered (1 John 1:9).
2. Inclusivity of Salvation: Just as a less expensive female lamb opened the way for all Israelites, so the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
3. Stewardship and Sacrifice: The worshiper gave a valuable animal, demonstrating that true repentance involves costly obedience; modern discipleship still requires tangible surrender (Romans 12:1).

Related Biblical Themes and Passages

Exodus 12:5 – Passover lamb requirements.
Leviticus 4:27–35 – Sin offering for the common person (male kid or female lamb).
Isaiah 53:7 – The suffering Servant compared to a lamb.
John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:18–19 – Christ as the Lamb of God.
Hebrews 10:1–14 – Sacrificial shadows fulfilled in Christ.

Summary

The single occurrence of כִּשְׂבָּה enriches the theology of sacrifice by highlighting God’s provision of an affordable, yet still spotless, substitute for sin. It prefigures the ultimate, sufficient Lamb whose death secures eternal redemption and informs Christian worship marked by gratitude, humility, and obedience.

Forms and Transliterations
כִּשְׂבָּ֛ה כשבה kiś·bāh kisBah kiśbāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Leviticus 5:6
HEB: מִן־ הַצֹּ֥אן כִּשְׂבָּ֛ה אֽוֹ־ שְׂעִירַ֥ת
NAS: from the flock, a lamb or
KJV: from the flock, a lamb or a kid
INT: from the flock A lamb or A kid

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3776
1 Occurrence


kiś·bāh — 1 Occ.

3775
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