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The Lamb of God is referenced many times in the book of Revelations, but first in the book John, chapter 1 verse 29 in which Jesus is referenced as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” This is also known by its Latin translation “Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi.” J.S. Bach used this translation in his “Mass in B Minor”. In the book of Revelations, the Lamb of God becomes its own symbol, as seen in “The Lamb Defeating the Ten Kings.”
The Lamb of God is found throughout older artwork, such as “Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden”, which is believed to have been painted between 1440 and 1460. In “the Lamb” by William Blake, a lamb is being asked it if it knew the one who gave it life, who the narrator explains also called himself a lamb. This poem portrays the Lamb of God as Jesus. The allusion is most commonly found in a serious and religious manner, and is treated as a holy subject. This allusion is particularly signifigant, as the Lamb is said to contain the seven spirits of God in Revelations.
"Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee."
-William Blake, "The Lamb"
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee."
-William Blake, "The Lamb"