Topical Bible: The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Females

◄ The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Females ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, as outlined in the Old Testament, lambs held a significant role in various offerings and rituals. While male lambs were often specified for certain sacrifices, female lambs were also acceptable and prescribed in specific instances, reflecting the inclusivity and flexibility within the sacrificial laws.

Prescriptions for Female Lambs in Sacrifices

1. Sin Offering: Female lambs were explicitly mentioned as acceptable offerings for sin. In Leviticus 4:32, the law provides for a female lamb to be offered as a sin offering: "If he brings a lamb as his offering for a sin offering, he is to bring an unblemished female" . This provision allowed for a broader participation in the sacrificial system, accommodating those who might not have access to male lambs.

2. Peace Offering: The peace offering, or fellowship offering, was another instance where a female lamb could be offered. Leviticus 3:6 states, "If he offers an animal from the flock as a fellowship offering to the LORD, he is to offer a male or female without blemish" . This offering was a voluntary act of worship, thanksgiving, or vow fulfillment, and the inclusion of female lambs highlights the communal and inclusive nature of worship in Israel.

3. Purification Rituals: In certain purification rituals, female lambs were also specified. For example, in Leviticus 12:6, after the birth of a child, a woman was to bring a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. If she could not afford a lamb, two turtledoves or two young pigeons were acceptable, demonstrating the law's accommodation for economic diversity.

Symbolism and Significance

The use of female lambs in sacrifices underscores the broader theological themes of purity, atonement, and reconciliation with God. The requirement for the lambs to be "without blemish" (Leviticus 3:6) symbolizes the need for purity and perfection in offerings made to a holy God. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was without sin and offered Himself for the atonement of humanity's sins.

The inclusion of female lambs also reflects the comprehensive nature of God's provision for His people, ensuring that all could participate in the sacrificial system regardless of their economic status or the gender of their livestock. This inclusivity points to the broader message of the Gospel, where salvation through Christ is available to all, transcending social and economic barriers.

Conclusion

The offering of female lambs in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel highlights the flexibility and inclusivity of the Mosaic Law. It serves as a reminder of the comprehensive nature of God's provision and the foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 6:14
And he shall offer his offering to the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices.
... those that offer thank-offerings do indeed sacrifice the same ... together with the rump
of the lamb; then, giving ... 3. The sacrifices for sins are offered in the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 the manner of.htm

Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ...
... sacrifice has been revealed, and has been offered in due ... why should you not slay
animals in sacrifice to your ... of God is good; but symbolically, a lamb is clean ...
/.../faustus avows his disbelief in.htm

Adoption
... he not only gives a new name but a new nature.2 Pet 1:1. He turns the wolf into
a lamb; he makes the heart ... By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 adoption.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... says, that under the law, the sheep and the goat were not offered in sacrifice the
moment ... sacred to the Lord (Exod.13:12); and, secondly, that a lamb of a ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... the bull to flee, they cause the lamb to flee ... in the palace;"males they are not,
females they are not ... and from thenceforth, however large the sum offered to her ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
... danger, and to point them to the "Lamb of God ... and at the expense of any personal
sacrifice, not excepting ... bare floor, kneeled down over it, and offered up the ...
/.../letter xiii christian activity.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... Offered to Him that liveth for ever and ever, it ... The vow was frequently a sacrifice;
and is the making of the ... Him coming unto him, said, "Behold the Lamb of God ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... neither fear nor offer to him any propitiatory sacrifice. ... of church government, allowing
even the females a voice ... cross, while our prayers were offered to God ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... his brethren at any time the money was offered; and he ... who are now singing the song
of Moses and the Lamb? ... himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm