What Does Exodus 12:5 Mean in the King James?

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Exodus 12:5 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The lamb’s required soundness carries the deeper sense of being whole and complete.

THE MEANING

The verse sets before you a clearly defined offering: a young male, whole, taken from among the sheep or goats. Its wholeness is part of what makes it fit to be given. Here, deliverance is joined to completeness.

THE ROOT

תָּמִים

tamim

GROWS FROM

ת-מ-ם

t-m-m

To be complete, whole, or sound.

The word translated “without blemish” also carries the sense of being complete and sound. The offering is not only free of visible defect; its wholeness is part of the word itself.

ALSO GROWS

tamam: To be complete or finished.

תָּמַם

This verb shows the root’s movement toward completion, deepening the sense of an offering presented whole.

tummāh: Integrity or completeness.

תֻּמָּה

This branch carries the same root sense into integrity, connecting the lamb’s soundness with wholeness as a quality.

THE PATTERN

What is given in the pattern of deliverance is specified as whole and free of defect.

And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

Leviticus 22:21 · KJVThe offering is described as perfect and without blemish, repeating the requirement that what is given be whole.

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 1:8 · KJVThe verse makes visible what the requirement excludes: an offering marked by defect.

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 1:19 · KJVThe lamb’s freedom from blemish carries the same pattern into the image of deliverance.

THE THREAD

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Genesis 17:1 · KJV

“Without blemish” in this verse and “perfect” in Genesis 17:1 render the Hebrew word ⁨תָּמִים⁩ (tamim), meaning whole or complete. The shared word links the lamb’s soundness with the wholeness named in the call to walk before God.

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