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ἀρνίον

arníon

G721 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Diminutive form meaning 'young sheep'; specifically refers to a lamb, often emphasizing smallness, youth, or a gentle, innocent quality. In broader contexts, may be used figuratively for one who is gentle, vulnerable, or sacrificial.

Semantic Range

a young lamb, a sacrificial lamb, a gentle or innocent person (figurative), a specific apocalyptic or symbolic figure

Root / Etymology

Diminutive of ἀρήν (aré̄n, 'sheep' or 'lamb'). Formed by adding the diminutive suffix -ιον to the stem ἀρν-, yielding the sense of a young or small lamb: ἀρνίον (arníon).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical literature, ἀρνίον is rare, with ἀρήν being the standard term for 'lamb' or 'sheep.' The diminutive ἀρνίον becomes common in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, where it functions both literally (a young lamb as a sacrificial animal) and figuratively, notably in the New Testament where it is a key symbol for gentleness, innocence, or sacrificial offering. Standard English translations simply render it 'lamb,' obscuring the diminutive nuance. In apocalyptic and liturgical contexts of the New Testament (especially Revelation), ἀρνίον is used in ways that highlight qualities of gentleness and vulnerability, or as a symbolic figure, differing from the more general ἀρήν.

Translation Consistency

primary "lamb" 30 occurrences

’Lamb’ is the natural, most common English rendering of ἀρνίον and captures the primary sense (young sheep) while also fitting sacrificial and figurative uses (gentle/innocent or symbolic figure). It is the simplest, most idiomatic choice and matches the majority of existing renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

diminutive from ἀρήν; a lambkin:--lamb.

Root Family

ἀρνίον (arnion) — young sheep, lamb

Root ἀρν- young sheep, lamb

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G721-04 Ἀρνίου arniou N GEN N SG Lamb of the young lamb of the young lamb 16
G721-03 Ἀρνίον arnion N NOM N SG Lamb young lamb young lamb 8
G721-02 Ἀρνίῳ arnio N DAT N SG Lamb to a young lamb Lamb 5
G721-01 ἀρνία arnia N ACC N PL lambs young lambs young lambs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

30 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G721-01 John 21:15 ἀρνία arnia N ACC N PL lambs young lambs young lambs
G721-03 Revelation 5:6 Ἀρνίον arnion N NOM N SG a Lamb young lamb young lamb
G721-04 Revelation 5:8 Ἀρνίου arniou N GEN N SG Lamb of the young lamb of the young lamb
G721-03 Revelation 5:12 Ἀρνίον arnion N NOM N SG Lamb young lamb young lamb
G721-02 Revelation 5:13 Ἀρνίῳ arnio N DAT N SG Lamb to a young lamb Lamb
G721-03 Revelation 6:1 Ἀρνίον arnion N NOM N SG Lamb young lamb young lamb
G721-04 Revelation 6:16 Ἀρνίου arniou N GEN N SG Lamb of the young lamb of the young lamb
G721-04 Revelation 7:9 Ἀρνίου arniou N GEN N SG Lamb of the young lamb the young lamb
G721-02 Revelation 7:10 Ἀρνίῳ arnio N DAT N SG Lamb to a young lamb Lamb
G721-04 Revelation 7:14 Ἀρνίου arniou N GEN N SG Lamb's of the young lamb of the young lamb
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