Word, Lamb, and Truth
Discover how the Hebrew language itself reveals that Jesus is the Word, the Lamb, and the Truth—hidden in plain sight from the very beginning.
Jesus is the Word, the Lamb, and the Truth. These aren’t just theological titles—they are profound clues that reveal the hidden wisdom of Scripture. But in English, we miss something crucial that’s embedded in the original Hebrew.
The Word and the Lamb
In Hebrew, "Word" is אמר (amar), and "Lamb" is אמר (emeer). That’s right—same letters, just a slight difference in pronunciation. The connection is obvious in Hebrew but completely lost in translation.
So when John the Baptist declared, "Behold the Lamb of God..." (John 1:29), some might have heard it as, "Behold the Word of God..." Why? Because in Hebrew, the very term for "Lamb" (אמר) echoes the term for "Word" (אמר). This is no accident—it’s a divine hint that Jesus is both the Word and the Lamb. The Word became flesh (John 1:14), and the Lamb was slain for our sins. They are one and the same.
Truth and Its Connection to the Word
Now, let’s take a look at "Truth." In Hebrew, Truth is אמת (emeth). This word itself tells a story.
- The resh (ר) represents revelation.
- The tov (ת) is formed from a resh (ר) with a vav (ו) returning on the left side. It represents a revelation completed by new life returning.
When we look at אמת (emeth), we see the Word (אמר) completed by this new life—the tov (ת). Truth is not just a concept; it’s the Word fulfilled, completed in Christ’s resurrection.
Truth is the Final Word—the incarnate Word, the Word made flesh. This is why Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
The Old Testament Hides the New Testament
The theology of the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and even in the structure of Hebrew itself. If you don’t know the Old Testament foundation of a teaching, it’s unlikely you fully understand it. The connections between the Word, the Lamb, and the Truth aren’t just theological—they’re embedded in the very fabric of the language God used to reveal Himself.
The Aramaic Objection
Some scholars, object that "Lamb" is Aramaic and try to sever the connection. But that’s like saying Bostonian isn’t English. Aramaic is just a dialect of Hebrew. They share the same roots, much like how Spanish and Italian are closely related. If someone speaks Bostonian English, they’re still speaking English. Likewise, when Jesus spoke in Aramaic-inflected Hebrew, He was still speaking Hebrew.
So why do some try to separate Aramaic from Hebrew? Why wouldn’t they want us to see that the Word is the Lamb? The connection is obvious. God didn’t make a linguistic mistake—He embedded this truth within the language itself.
Reading the Text Without Filters
I choose to call Aramaic Hebrew to keep things simple, just as I don't go out of my way to label 'Bostonian'. The name doesn’t matter when unpacking the prophetic riddle—the text is inspired by God, and its connections remain intact.
This approach—reading the text inductively, without 2,000 years of theological 'tradition'—helps us see things that were always there but often overlooked. I don’t require that others follow this method, but I believe it opens up Scripture in a fresh and powerful way.
Conclusion
Jesus is the Word. He is the Lamb. He is the Truth. These aren’t separate ideas—they are different facets of the same reality. When we look at the original language, we see that the Lamb and the Word are inseparable, and Truth is the fulfillment of the Word.
The Old Testament holds the key to unlocking the New. The Hebrew language itself testifies to Christ. If we dig deeper, we will see Him in every word, every letter, and every revelation God has given.
