ἀμνός (G286) — Greek Lexicon

ἀμνός

amnós

G286 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Lamb; specifically a young sheep, often one used in sacrificial or ritual contexts. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, denotes an animal of tender age appropriate for offering or consumption, or used metaphorically with reference to innocence, meekness, or as an emblematic figure in rhetoric or literature.

Semantic Range

a lamb (young sheep), a sacrificial lamb, emblem or metaphor for innocence or meekness, ritual victim

Root / Etymology

The term ἀμνός is of uncertain etymology; it appears in Homeric and Classical Greek and is widely attested by the fifth century BCE. Related forms occur in other Indo-European languages (cf. Latin 'agnus'), but a direct derivation is debated.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἀμνός refers to a young sheep, especially as suitable for sacrifice or feasting. In the Septuagint, ἀμνός translates several Hebrew terms for young sheep offered in ritual context. In the New Testament, ἀμνός is notably employed in passages with sacrificial associations (e.g., John 1:29, John 1:36; 1 Peter 1:19), invoking the imagery and significance of sacrifice within Judean and wider Israelite cultic tradition. Early Christian writers often connect the term to ideas of innocence or vicarious atonement, but these meanings arise through context rather than from the core semantic content of the word. Standard English translations render ἀμνός as 'lamb,' reflecting the zoological referent but often incorporating interpretive or metaphorical nuance based on theological usage. In everyday Koine, the term retains its primary referent with contextual usage occasionally imparting secondary associations of gentleness, youth, or purity. Distinct from ἀρνίον (G721), which more commonly functions as the diminutive 'little lamb' and gains prominence in apocalyptic literature (e.g., Revelation).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; a lamb:--lamb.

Root Family

ἀμνός (amnos) — young sheep, lamb

Root ἀμν- young sheep, lamb

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G286-01`	Ἀμνὸς	amnos	`N NOM M SG`	Lamb	lamb	lamb	3
`G286-02`	ἀμνοῦ	amnou	`N GEN M SG`	of a lamb	of a lamb	of a lamb	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G286-01`	John 1:29	Ἀμνὸς	amnos	`N NOM M SG`	Lamb	lamb	lamb
`G286-01`	John 1:36	Ἀμνὸς	amnos	`N NOM M SG`	Lamb	lamb	lamb
`G286-01`	Acts 8:32	ἀμνὸς	amnos	`N NOM M SG`	lamb	lamb	a lamb
`G286-02`	1 Peter 1:19	ἀμνοῦ	amnou	`N GEN M SG`	of a lamb	of a lamb	of a lamb

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