The Zeroah
The sacrificing of a lamb for Passover in the Temple has not been possible since 70 A.D. As a result when they celebrate, the Jews use a lamb shank as part of the Passover Seder to represent the lamb they are unable to sacrifice. In Hebrew, this bone from a lamb is the zeroah (Strong’s H2220). Even though it is normally translated “arm” or something similar, the Lord in His foreknowledge appears on certain occasions to have used this word in Scripture as a substitute to represent Jesus, the Lamb. So, the Jews today use zeroah to represent the lamb in the Passover celebration, and the Lord sometimes uses the word zeroah to represent the Lamb of God.
I have included some of the many verses including the word zeroah, in which it surely sounds like the Lord was referring to the Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God. A thousand years, or more, before the birth of Jesus, the Lord said that He, Jesus, would be the Redeemer:
- “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm [the Lamb] …” – Exodus 6:6
- “Thou hast with thine arm [the Lamb] redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.” – Psalm 77:15
The Lord Jesus plays a central role in the Last Days as noted below. He will rule the nations. By the way, His reward is His bride, the Church:
- “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and His arm [the Lamb] shall rule for him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.” – Isaiah 40:10
- “My righteousness is near; My salvation is gone forth, and Mine arms [the Lamb] shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon Me, and on Mine arm [the Lamb] shall they trust.” – Isaiah 51:5
In the following verse, not only did the prophet speak of the Lamb, but included His name; Jeshua, or Jesus in Greek, which means “salvation.”
- “The LORD hath made bare [revealed] His holy arm [the Lamb] in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation [Jeshua] of our God.” – Isaiah 52:10
The entirety of chapter fifty-three of Isaiah is about Jesus, the Lamb. This chapter includes phrases like “He is despised and rejected of men,” “Surely he hath borne our griefs,” and “he was wounded for our transgressions,” Here, in the first verse, the Lord inserted the Lamb in a subtle manner by using the word zeroah:
- “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm [the Lamb] of the LORD revealed?” – Isaiah 53:1
If there was ever any question in your mind as to the subject of Isaiah 53, read it with the Lamb in mind. The Book of Isaiah has been there for the Jews to see the Lamb for 2,700 years. Sadly, they have been blinded, as noted by the Apostle Paul. (Romans 11:8) But, there will come a day when they will mourn Him whom they “pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10) May His wonderful name be praised always!
BACK to Lesson Archive.