In Revelation 13:11 why does the “lambkin” have horns?

Question

In Revelation 13:11 the author appears to be contrasting the lamb-like physical appearance of the animal with the ferocious speech. In fact, he compares the animal to a "lambkin":

[Rev 13:11 ESV] (11) Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

[Rev 13:11 MGNT] (11) καὶ εἶδον ἄλλο θηρίον ἀναβαῖνον ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ εἶχεν κέρατα δύο ὅμοια ἀρνίῳ καὶ ἐλάλει ὡς δράκων

The word translated "lamb" is actually a diminutive of "lamb". IE: A "lambkin" or perhaps a newborn baby sheep.

However, baby sheep don't have horns. They get their horns at adulthood, which is a year.

So what might be intended by this inconsistency?

Related:

https://vimeo.com/330235605

Answer 1

Prophetic imagery is not exact representation. Different elements are envisaged together to convey spiritual truth. The envisioned image has the characteristics of the lamb of God, the sacrificial 'little lamb', but as soon as it opens its mouth it betrays itself with its draconian speech.

This beast that rises out of the earth, out of the dust of the earth, out of human origin, appears - outwardly - to be like the lamb of God. But its speech is a contradiction of its appearance. What comes out of its interior, expressed by its mouth, is of the dragon.

The two beasts, out of sea and out of earth, are clearly a representation of what is in the world of humanity : yet, not born of God, not penitent, not believing. This movement of humanity - the flow of humankind in its motivation - is powered by spiritual force. Thus the Dragon moves in and among humans, seeking his draconian purpose.

Armageddon is the inevitable consequence.

Answer 2

Sheep and goats have horns after a few weeks that are not only visible but quite painful if you get your fingers between them and the fence post.

Answer 3

First, the images in apocalyptic literature do not (and are often very "not") anatomically correct. The descriptions of chimeric beast in Rev 13:1-8 and Dan 7 & 8 demonstrate this well. We should note the following:

• The animal/beast in Rev 13:11-17 is not described - its only characteristic is the horns like a lamb. This presumably means they were not very prominent. Lambs have very small horns (depending on age which is not defined here.)

HOWEVER - I note that ἀρνίον (arnion), while a diminutive of the word for sheep (aren), was by NT times "a sheep of any age" according to BDAG. See also W E Vine who says the same thing. Thus, it is possible that the horns on this land beast could have been the usual mature size.