The Hebrew word keseb, represented by H3775, means a young sheep or lamb. It is apparently a transposition for a related word and appears 13 times across 13 unique verses. This term is used specifically to identify young sheep in contexts of both animal husbandry and sacrificial worship.
In the biblical narrative, H3775 is prominent in two key areas. First, it is foundational to the Levitical laws regarding sacrifices. A lamb could be brought as a burnt sacrifice H5930 Leviticus 1:10 or as an offering H7133 before the LORD H3068 Leviticus 3:7. The fat H2459 of the lamb from a peace offering H8002 was burned on the altar H4196 to make atonement H3722 for sin Leviticus 4:35. Second, it appears in the Genesis account of Jacob H3290 and Laban H3837, where Jacob separates the lambs H3775 to build his own flock H5739 as part of his wages H7939 Genesis 30:40.
Several related words provide a broader context for the role of H3775 as a flock animal:
- H7716 seh (a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat): This is a more general term for a sheep, used alongside keseb to specify the animal to be eaten Deuteronomy 14:4.
- H6629 tsôʼn (a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats)): This word describes the larger group from which an individual keseb comes, as when Jacob passed through Laban's flock Genesis 30:32.
- H1241 bâqâr (beef cattle or an animal of the ox family): This animal is frequently listed with keseb as an acceptable offering, defining the primary categories of livestock for sacrifice Leviticus 22:19.
- H5795 ʻêz (a she-goat): Often mentioned in a triad with oxen and sheep, this term helps to classify the keseb as one of the main animals in Israel's agricultural and religious life Leviticus 1:10.
The theological significance of H3775 is primarily centered on its role in worship and divine blessing.
- Sacrifice and Atonement: The lamb is explicitly designated as an animal whose life could be offered for peace offerings H8002. The ritual burning H6999 of its fat H2459 by a priest H3548 was a means to make an atonement H3722 for a person's sin H2398, resulting in forgiveness H5545 Leviticus 4:35.
- Holiness and Consecration: The firstling H1060 of a sheep H3775 is declared holy H6944 and must not be redeemed H6299. Its blood H1818 was to be sprinkled H2236 on the altar H4196 and its fat burned as a sweet H5207 savour H7381 to the LORD H3068 Numbers 18:17.
- Wealth and Provision: In the narrative of Jacob, the lambs H3775 are a measure of his hire H7939. The increase of his flocks, including the brown H2345 among the sheep, demonstrates his righteousness H6666 and serves as a tangible sign of his prosperity (Genesis 30:33, Genesis 30:40).
In summary, keseb H3775 provides a specific identity for a young sheep, distinguishing it within the larger flock. While it functions as a key element of economic life and wealth, as seen in the story of Jacob, its most significant role is in the sacrificial system. As an acceptable offering for atonement and a consecrated firstling, the lamb stands as a central animal in the worship of ancient Israel, connecting the daily life of shepherds with the holy requirements of the altar.
TRV