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Exodus 12:5

Exodus 12:5 in Multiple Translations

Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old: ye shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats:

Let your lamb be without a mark, a male in its first year: you may take it from among the sheep or the goats:

Your lamb must be a year-old male without any defects, and you can take it either from the sheep or the goats.

Your lambe shalbe without blemish, a male of a yeere olde: ye shall take it of the lambes, or of the kiddes.

a lamb, a perfect one, a male, a son of a year, let be to you; from the sheep or from the goats ye do take [it].

Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it from the sheep or from the goats:

And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a male, of one year: according to which rite also you shall take a kid.

The lambs or goats that you choose must be males, one-year-old, and they must not have any defects.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 12:5

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Exodus 12:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB שֶׂ֥ה תָמִ֛ים זָכָ֥ר בֶּן שָׁנָ֖ה יִהְיֶ֣ה לָ/כֶ֑ם מִן הַ/כְּבָשִׂ֥ים וּ/מִן הָ/עִזִּ֖ים תִּקָּֽחוּ
שֶׂ֥ה seh H7716 sheep N-cs
תָמִ֛ים tâmîym H8549 unblemished Adj
זָכָ֥ר zâkâr H2145 male Adj
בֶּן bên H1121 son N-ms
שָׁנָ֖ה shâneh H8141 year N-fs
יִהְיֶ֣ה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָ/כֶ֑ם Prep | Suff
מִן min H4480 from Prep
הַ/כְּבָשִׂ֥ים kebes H3532 lamb Art | N-mp
וּ/מִן min H4480 from Conj | Prep
הָ/עִזִּ֖ים ʻêz H5795 goat Art | N-fp
תִּקָּֽחוּ lâqach H3947 to take V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 12:5

שֶׂ֥ה seh H7716 "sheep" N-cs
This word refers to a sheep or goat, often used to describe a flock or young animal in the Bible. It is also related to the word for lamb.
Definition: 1) one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat 1a) sheep, goat 1b) flock (collective) Also means: zeh (זֶה "lamb" H2089)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare H2089 (זֶה). See also: Genesis 22:7; Deuteronomy 14:4; Psalms 119:176.
תָמִ֛ים tâmîym H8549 "unblemished" Adj
This Hebrew word means unblemished or perfect, like an animal without defects. It describes something or someone that is whole and complete, like the sacrifices in Leviticus. It is used to describe integrity and truth.
Definition: : unblemished/perfect 1) complete, whole, entire, sound 1a) complete, whole, entire 1b) whole, sound, healthful 1c) complete, entire (of time) 1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity 1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright(-ly), whole. See also: Genesis 6:9; Deuteronomy 18:13; Psalms 15:2.
זָכָ֥ר zâkâr H2145 "male" Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
בֶּן bên H1121 "son" N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
שָׁנָ֖ה shâneh H8141 "year" N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
יִהְיֶ֣ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לָ/כֶ֑ם "" Prep | Suff
מִן min H4480 "from" Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/כְּבָשִׂ֥ים kebes H3532 "lamb" Art | N-mp
This word refers to a young ram or lamb, old enough to butt or fight. In the Bible, it is used to describe the animals used for sacrifice or as a symbol of innocence.
Definition: lamb, sheep, young ram
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: lamb, sheep. See also: Exodus 12:5; Numbers 28:7; Proverbs 27:26.
וּ/מִן min H4480 "from" Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הָ/עִזִּ֖ים ʻêz H5795 "goat" Art | N-fp
Refers to a female goat, often translated as she-goat or kid, and is also related to goat's hair in the Bible.
Definition: female goat, she-goat, goat, kid Aramaic equivalent: ez (עֵז "goat" H5796)
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (she) goat, kid. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 7:58; Proverbs 27:27.
תִּקָּֽחוּ lâqach H3947 "to take" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.

Study Notes — Exodus 12:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Peter 1:18–19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
2 Hebrews 9:13–14 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
3 Malachi 1:14 “But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.
4 Deuteronomy 17:1 You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.
5 Malachi 1:7–8 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You ?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.
6 Hebrews 7:26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
7 Leviticus 23:12 On the day you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a year-old lamb without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD,
8 Leviticus 1:10 If, however, one’s offering is a burnt offering from the flock—from the sheep or goats—he is to present an unblemished male.
9 Leviticus 22:18–24 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites and tell them, ‘Any man of the house of Israel or any foreign resident who presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, whether to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as an offering made by fire to the LORD. You may present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep that has a deformed or stunted limb, but it is not acceptable in fulfillment of a vow. You are not to present to the LORD an animal whose testicles are bruised, crushed, torn, or cut; you are not to sacrifice them in your land.
10 Leviticus 1:3 If one’s offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.

Exodus 12:5 Summary

This verse means that when the Israelites were getting ready to leave Egypt, God told them to pick a perfect, one-year-old male lamb to sacrifice. This lamb had to be without any defects, which is like how Jesus was perfect and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). God wanted the Israelites to understand that their salvation would come from a perfect sacrifice, and this lamb was a symbol of that. By following God's instructions carefully, the Israelites could trust in His plan to save them, just as we can trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation today (John 1:29).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God specify that the lamb had to be a year-old male?

This requirement emphasizes the importance of purity and perfection, as seen in Exodus 12:5, and points forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was without blemish (1 Peter 1:19).

Can I apply the principle of selecting an unblemished lamb to my everyday life?

Yes, just as the Israelites were to select an unblemished lamb, we are called to strive for holiness and purity in our own lives, as encouraged in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7.

Why were both sheep and goats acceptable for the lamb?

The fact that God allowed either sheep or goats, as stated in Exodus 12:5, shows His provision and flexibility, while still maintaining the requirement for an unblemished male, highlighting His attention to detail and care for His people.

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of redemption in the Bible?

The requirement for an unblemished lamb in Exodus 12:5 foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, who is described as a lamb without blemish in 1 Peter 1:19, and underscores the idea that salvation comes through the perfect sacrifice of a sinless Savior.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the requirement for an unblemished lamb reveal about God's character and expectations for His people?
  2. In what ways can I reflect the purity and perfection of Christ in my own life, just as the Israelites were to select a perfect lamb?
  3. How does the concept of an unblemished lamb relate to the idea of being 'set apart' for God's purposes, as seen in Leviticus 20:26?
  4. What role does faith play in trusting God's instructions, even when they seem specific or unusual, like the requirement for a year-old male lamb?

Gill's Exposition on Exodus 12:5

Your lamb shall be without blemish,.... Without any spot or defect in it. Maimonides (h) reckons no less than fifty blemishes in a creature, anyone of which makes it unfit for sacrifice, see Leviticus 21:21.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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: Your lamb shall be without blemish. The smallest deformity or defect made a lamb unfit for sacrifice.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 12:5

Without blemish; without any deformity or distemper of body. Heb. perfect. Of which see , &c.; 17:1. And this the very light of nature taught the heathens to observe in their sacrifices. This property was required both to typify Christ, a Lamb without spot or blemish, , and to instruct us that all our services to God must be as perfect as possibly may be. A male, partly because that was better and more perfect than the female, whence a male is opposed to a corrupt thing, ; and partly to typify the man Christ Jesus. Of the first year, i.e. a year old, when it is in its rigour and perfection, and the fittest type of Christ. Most explain it thus, That it was not to be more than a year old, but it might be much less, seeing it might be offered to God any time after it was eight days old, . But though it was then fit to be offered to God, it was not very fit to be eaten by men. And the Hebrew phrase, the son of a year, seems to require a year’ s age, as Saul is called the son of one year, , when he had reigned one whole year. And it is remarkable, that he doth not say the son of this or that year, which might agree to one brought forth that year, though it was much younger than a year, but the son of a year, without any restrictive article. Or from the goats; Heb. and from the goats: if you want a lamb, you shall take a kid of or from the goats. But the particle and is here well rendered or, as it is used , compared with , compared with .

Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 12:5

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:Ver. 5. Without blemish.] Christ, that immaculate Lamb of God, was hereby typified, From the sheep, or from the goats.] A lamb; to show Christ’ s innocency, meekness, patience, profitableness. Or a kid; to show that he was a sinner; (1.) By imputation, for "the Lord made our sins to meet upon him"; (2.) By reputation, for "he made his grave with the wicked."

Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 12:5

(5) Without blemish.—Natural piety teaches that we must not “offer the blind, the lame, or the sick for sacrifice” (Malachi 1:8). We must give to (God of our best. The Law emphasized this teaching, and here, on the first occasion when a sacrifice was formally appointed, required it to be absolutely without blemish of any kind. Afterwards the requirement was made general (Leviticus 22:19-25). It was peculiarly fitting that the Paschal offering should be without defect of any kind, as especially typifying “the Lamb of God,” who is “holy, harmless, undefiled”—a “lamb without spot.” A male.—Males were reckoned superior to females, and were especially appropriate here, since the victim represented the firstborn male in each house. Of the first year—i.e., not above a year old. As children are most innocent when young, so even animals were thought to be.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 12:5

Verse 5. Without blemish] Having no natural imperfection, no disease, no deficiency or redundancy of parts. On this point the rabbins have trifled most egregiously, reckoning fifty blemishes that render a lamb or kid, or any animal, improper to be sacrificed: five in the ear, three in the eyelid, eight in the eye, three in the nose, six in the mouth, c., &c. A male of the first year] That is, any age in the first year between eight days and twelve months. From the sheep, or from the goats] The שה seh means either and either was equally proper if without blemish. The Hebrews however in general preferred the lamb to the kid.

Cambridge Bible on Exodus 12:5

5. Characteristics of the animal chosen: it is to be (1) without blemish (like sacrificial animals in general, Deuteronomy 17:1, Leviticus 22:19; Leviticus 22:21 [H]); (2) a male, as superior to a female, and therefore more appropriate as an offering to Jehovah (so for burnt-offerings, in H and P, Leviticus 1:3; Leviticus 1:10; Leviticus 22:19 : for peace- and sin-offerings females were allowed); (3) one year old (cf. the same regulation Exodus 29:38, Leviticus 9:3, and elsewhere); (4) either a lamb or a kid (cf. on v. 3); later usage declared in favour of a lamb. of the first year] Heb. ‘the son of a year.’ The meaning is disputed. The Rabbis interpret of the first year, i.e. from 8 days old (Leviticus 22:27 H) to a full year; modern commentators generally, a year old (LXX. ἐνιαύσιος). The Hebrew idiom (of human beings as well as of animals) occurs constantly (Genesis 21:4-5; Genesis 25:26, &c.): the same age as here is appointed for sacrifices, esp. for burnt-offerings, Leviticus 9:3; Leviticus 12:6 (‘a son of its year’), Exodus 23:12; Exodus 23:18-19, and elsewhere.

Barnes' Notes on Exodus 12:5

Without blemish - This is in accordance with the general rule (margin reference): although in this case there is a special reason, since the lamb was in place of the firstborn male in each household.

Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 12:5

5. Without blemish, a male of the first year — A faultless male, at least a year old. Only perfect gifts could be offered to God, as the heathens also felt.

Sermons on Exodus 12:5

SermonDescription
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 12:5-8 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher shares his experiences as a young preacher in Middle Tennessee. He talks about how he used to hold meetings in country churches during the summer and h
Jacob Prasch The Lord's Supper by Jacob Prasch In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Jesus' final moments before his crucifixion. Jesus prioritized spending time with his disciples and discussing important ma
T. Austin-Sparks Unsearchable Riches of Christ - Part 3 by T. Austin-Sparks In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of balance and completeness in relation to God's possession and redemption. Using the parables of the lost son, lost sheep, and lo
Art Katz The Christian Mindset - Part 4 by Art Katz In this sermon, the preacher discusses the clash between Greek and Hebrew ideologies, secular and sacred thinking, and the worldly mind versus the spiritual mind. The sermon focuse
Stan Ford Gospel Meetings s.h.c.- 11 Rahab the Harlot by Stan Ford In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is speaking, saving, and satisfying in our lives. He highlights the importance of listening and trusting in God's voice. The preach
Stan Ford Gospel Meetings s.h.c.- 06 Who Is on the Lord's Side by Stan Ford In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making a personal decision to be on the Lord's side. He challenges the audience to think about their relationship with God
John Gill 1 Peter 1:19 by John Gill John Gill emphasizes the significance of the precious blood of Christ as the ultimate price for redemption, highlighting its innocence and divine nature. He explains that Christ's

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