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God's Table

Clean animal; central to Passover

Lamb

The lamb is both food and the deepest symbol in the biblical story.

Biblical permission← Food Guide

Where it appears in Scripture

Exodus 12 commands the Passover lamb. Sheep appear among clean animals in Deuteronomy 14.

What Scripture says

  • Sheep are listed among the animals Israel may eat.
  • The Passover meal was commanded with specific instructions for one occasion in redemptive history.

What Scripture does NOT say

  • The Passover instructions are not a general recipe or diet rule for today.
  • Scripture does not rank lamb above other clean meats for health.

New Testament context

John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, and the New Testament presents Christ as the fulfilment of Passover. The image gathers sacrifice, rescue and kingship around him rather than making lamb a required Christian food.

Common misconceptions

  • "Eating lamb recreates Passover's spiritual benefit." The feast's saving meaning rests in God's act and ultimately in Christ, not the meat itself.