כֶּ֫בֶשׂ (ke.ve.s)
ke.ve.s
lamb
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 93 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun keves refers to a young sheep, typically between one and three years old. It denotes the offspring of the ewe, often specified in sacrificial contexts as being "a year old." While it generally means lamb, the sources note it can sometimes be used more broadly to refer to sheep in general, though this is less common.
Its etymology traces back to an unused root meaning to dominate or rule. This connection suggests a ram that is just old enough to butt with its horns, highlighting the animal's growing strength and maturity. In Scripture, it appears frequently in Numbers and Leviticus, where it is a standard offering for daily sacrifices and festivals.
Translators usually render keves as "lamb," distinguishing it from older rams or ewes. The word carries significant weight in ritual law, appearing in over ninety verses. Its presence in passages like Exodus 12:5 underscores its role as a primary symbol of substitution and atonement in ancient Israelite worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word keves refers to a young sheep, typically between one and three years old. In ancient Israel, this animal was central to worship, appearing in over ninety verses of Scripture. It was not merely livestock but a sacred symbol used for daily sacrifices and major festivals. The requirement that the lamb be without defect highlights the seriousness of approaching God with purity and sincerity.
For believers today, this imagery points toward the concept of substitution. In Exodus 12:5, the lamb served as a protective sign during the Passover, sparing those who trusted in God’s provision. This historical practice helps us understand how early Christians viewed Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. The lamb’s role in atonement reminds us that reconciliation with God comes through grace, not human effort.
Understanding keves deepens our appreciation for the Old Testament rituals and their fulfillment in the New Testament. It invites reflection on the cost of redemption and the peace that comes from being covered by a perfect sacrifice. This word connects the ancient altar to the cross, showing God’s consistent plan for saving His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 93 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- lambs37×
- a lamb14×
- for the/ lamb10×
- and/ for the/ lambs7×
- the/ lambs6×
- the/ lamb6×
- male lambs4×
- a male lamb4×
- the/ male lamb2×
- and/ lambs2×
- [the] male lamb of2×
- like/ a lamb1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּבָשִׂ֥ים15×
- כֶּֽבֶשׂ\־12×
- כְּבָשִׂ֧ים12×
- לַ/כֶּ֖בֶשׂ10×
- וְ/לַ/כְּבָשִׂ֛ים7×
- הַ/כֶּ֣בֶשׂ5×
- הַ/כְּבָשִֽׂים\׃4×
- כֶּ֣בֶשׂ3×
- כֶּ֥בֶשׂ2×
- כְּבָשִׂ֤ים2×
- כְּבָשִׂ֣ים2×
- כְבָשִׂים֙2×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 12:5
Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
This verse establishes the lamb as the specific instrument of protection during Passover, requiring it to be a male without defect.
-
Exodus 29:38
“Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually.
Here the lambs are part of the continual daily offering, emphasizing regular devotion and sustained relationship with Yahweh.
-
Leviticus 4:32
“‘If he brings a lamb as his offering for a sin offering, he shall bring a female without defect.
This occurrence specifies a female lamb for a sin offering, showing that atonement was available through different types of sacrificial animals.
-
Leviticus 12:6
“‘When the days of her purification are completed for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of Meeting, a year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove, for a sin offering.
The lamb here is offered after childbirth, linking the animal to themes of purification and the restoration of ritual cleanliness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word keves mean?
Why was the lamb required to be without defect?
How is keves used in the New Testament?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (93 verses across 11 books)
Exodus 5 verses
Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
Exodus 29:38“Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually.
Exodus 29:39The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at evening;
Exodus 29:40and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the…
Exodus 29:41The other lamb you shall offer at evening, and shall do to it according to the meal offering of the morning and…