Symbolism is one of the hallmark characteristics of Isaiah’s writings. Nearly everything within his text has symbolic significance, as well a literally interpretation for much of it. He uses entities, elements, items, locations, people, etc., to portray symbolism, and each application is expressed in its usage throughout his writings. In his use of animals as symbolic portrayals of people, he takes from the law of Moses to extrapolate upon those covenant people he saw in our day.
In Isaiah’s use of symbolism, there is often two diametric symbolic implications. A clear example of this polarity of symbolic meaning is shown through the contrasting roles of the Davidic servant and the antagonistic Assyrian. Another example is the comparisons of the faithful and unfaithful covenant children. This particular comparison is exemplified through his use of kosher sacrificial animals often used in the Mosaic law, such as lambs, rams and sheep. Below are some symbolic interpretations of each of these animals.
Lambs: Covenant Saints
Lambs are a kosher animal representing a covenant individual, sometimes faithful and sometimes not. A lamb also symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ, especially in reference to sacrificial offerings.
Lambs were used as sacrificial animals in the ancient temples either as a burnt offering (כֶשֶׂב|kε’-sεv’, a lamb or young sheep, male without blemish), a peace offering, or a sin offering (כֶּבֶשׂ|kε-vεs’: a lamb/sheep, just old enough to butt, female without blemish). Sin offerings were performed for sins committed ignorantly or unintentionally.
Though lambs are young and playful, they also have a characteristic of submissiveness and meekness. As with all sacrificial animals, the lamb represents Jesus Christ. This animal perhaps carries even more iconic symbol of the Savior than other sacrificial animals. After baptizing the Savior, and “looking upon Jesus as he walked, [John] said, Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:36).
The lamb can have a couple symbolic meanings in Isaiah depending on the context. Isaiah uses four different Hebrew words to describe lambs, suggesting different meanings or symbols of each usage. A couple of these reference are in regard to the sacrificial lamb.
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- שֶׂה|sε refers to the iconic symbol of Jesus Christ as the lamb brought “to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). This word is used most often to represent that sacrificial lamb. “Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings,” (Isaiah 43:23). “He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb” (Isaiah 66:3)
- כֶּבֶשׂ|kε-vεs’ refers to those faithful, but estranged saints who have been unrighteously offered as sacrifice in the fallen Israel’s rebellion against God. The Lord says he is sick of those sacrifices. “I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats” (Isaiah 1:11). These represent individuals who have been “broken off and are driven out, because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people” (1 Nephi 21:1). After the Lord gathers his people, “then shall [these] lambs feed after their manner” (Isaiah 5:17) and “the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6) in peace.
- כַּר|kär represents individuals who likewise are disciples of Christ, but perhaps less faithful than those described above. When the last days come, the sword of the Lord will be filled with “the blood of [these] lambs and goats” (Isaiah 34:6). These are also the messengers―”Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion” (Isaiah 16:1)―that are sent from the fallen proud Moab to request clemency from the ruler of Zion.
- The last root word (תָלָה|tä-lä’) is used to describe those individuals―not previously mentioned―who will be gathered with the remaining survivors of the Lord’s disciples. The Lord, through his servants, will “gather the lambs (טְלָה|tε-lä’)” (Isaiah 40:11) and “the wolf and the lamb (טָלֶה|tä-lε’) shall feed together” (Isaiah 65:25).
Rams: Our Mighty Leaders
Rams are a kosher animal representing a covenant individual, particularly of great strength or of high rank. Rams also symbolizes the mighty Lord in reference to his sacrifice.
Rams were used as a sacrificial animal in the ancient temples. The Hebrew word, אַיִל|ä’-ēl, carries a connotation of strength or might. The word can also be translated as a strong tree, such as an oak. Symbolically it suggests a mighty or strong man, whether literally or figuratively.
Rams were one of the animals used in ancient Israel as a burnt offering, a peace offering, or a trespass (guilt) offering. In fact, in presenting a trespass offering, only a ram was accepted. The trespass offering differed from the sin offering. Where one offered a sin offering for committing a sin, the trespass offering related to the restitution and consequences of that sin. These were sins against God or that which belongs to him, such as sins against a firstborn, tithes, offerings given incorrectly, or gifts of inferior quality or value.
As with all sacrificial animals, the ram represents the Lord and his sacrifice. Spiritually, he is the strongest and highest ranking of God’s children, and he alone was offered for our trespasses.
The ram can have a couple symbolic meanings in Isaiah:
- First, it symbolizes individuals who are of strong or mighty spiritual caliber who are unrighteously offered upon the altars of rebellious Israel. To his rebellious sons, the Lord says he is “full of the burnt offerings of rams” (Isaiah 1:11). These mighty, righteous disciples of Christ are latter called “trees (אַיִל|ä’-ēl) of righteousness, the planting of the Lord” (Isaiah 61:3). These righteous individuals will become those who later minister to the gathering remnant, “the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee” (Isaiah 60:7).
- Second, a ram symbolizes those mighty covenant men who are unfaithful to their covenant with God. These are the individuals who in the last-day calamities will fall. The Lord’s sword will be filled with their blood, and the “the fat of the kidneys of rams” (Isaiah 34:6) will be symbolically offered as a trespass offering for the transgression of the covenant people. These are the same mighty men and women of whom the Lord says we will be ashamed. “For they shall be ashamed of the oaks (אַיִל|ä’-ēl) which ye have desired” (Isaiah 1:29).
Sheep: Meandering Disciples
Sheep are kosher animals representing a covenant individual or group of individuals that follow a shepherd, many not along the right path. Also symbolizes the Lord in reference to the submissiveness of his atoning sacrifice.
Sheep have a long-standing symbolic interpretation throughout the scriptures of disciples. These may be disciples of Christ or some other shepherd. The Lord taught that ultimately there are only two churches or shepherds to follow. “And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are you? Behold, I say unto you, that the Devil is your shepherd” (Alma 5:39).
The sheep do not lead. They follow. Their characteristic is timidity, submissiveness, and gentleness. Rams or shepherds represent leaders. Sheep represent those who follow. The Hebrew word for sheep (צוֹן|tsōn) derives from a root word that means to migrate. They amble about, concerned about their daily sustenance. They are vulnerable to wolves or other predators or dangers and rely upon the shepherds to lead and protect them. The Savior is represented as a sheep in reference to being led by the Father to his death, willing and submissive.
In Isaiah’s writing, there are two Hebrew words he uses to reference sheep. One of these directly symbolizes Jesus Christ.
רָחֵל|rä-ḥāl’ is used by Isaiah only once and symbolizes the Savior Jesus Christ. He uses this word to symbolically represent the atoning sacrifice of the Lord. Isaiah describes, “he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).- All other references to sheep comes from the Hebrew word צֹאן|tsōn. These symbolize those disciples of Christ who wander. “All we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). They are not wicked, per se, but are also not entirely faithful. These individuals follow after shepherds. Some of those “are shepherds that cannot understand” (Isaiah 56:11) who lead the sheep astray. When the end-day calamities come, these people will not know whom to follow or where to go. “And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up” (Isaiah 13:14). But some will be nourished (see Isaiah 7:21) and will eventually be gathered. “All the flocks (צֹאן|tsōn) of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee” (Isaiah 60:7) “And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks (צֹאן|tsōn)” (Isaiah 51:5). These are part of the remnant at the last days.Isaiah