Definition and Etymology:
The term "atoning" refers to the act of making amends or reparation for sin or wrongdoing. In a biblical context, it is closely associated with the concept of reconciliation between God and humanity. The word "atonement" is derived from the Middle English "atonen," meaning "to make one" or "to reconcile."

Biblical Context:
Atonement is a central theme in the Bible, encompassing the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. It signifies the means by which sin is covered or forgiven, allowing for restored fellowship with God.

Old Testament Background:
In the Old Testament, atonement is primarily associated with the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites. The Hebrew word for atonement, "kaphar," means "to cover." The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the most significant day for atonement in the Jewish calendar. Leviticus 16 outlines the rituals performed by the high priest to atone for the sins of the people. The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial animal on the mercy seat, symbolizing the covering of the people's sins.

Leviticus 17:11 states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." This verse underscores the necessity of blood for atonement, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

New Testament Fulfillment:
The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is described as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His death on the cross is the ultimate atoning sacrifice, providing redemption and reconciliation for all who believe.

Romans 3:25 explains, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand." This passage highlights the substitutionary nature of Christ's atonement, satisfying the demands of God's justice while extending mercy to sinners.

Hebrews 9:12 further elaborates, "He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." The author of Hebrews emphasizes the superiority and finality of Christ's atoning work compared to the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

Theological Significance:
Atonement is foundational to Christian theology, encapsulating the doctrines of sin, sacrifice, and salvation. It affirms the holiness and justice of God, who cannot overlook sin, and His love and mercy, demonstrated through the provision of a perfect substitute in Jesus Christ. The atoning work of Christ is central to the gospel message, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who place their faith in Him.

Practical Implications:
For believers, the atoning work of Christ calls for a response of faith, repentance, and gratitude. It assures them of their standing before God, not based on their own righteousness, but on the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. The atonement also serves as a model for reconciliation in human relationships, encouraging forgiveness and restoration in light of the forgiveness received from God.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Atone.2435. hilasterion -- propitiatory
... by which the wrath of the deity shall be appeased; a means of propitiation, (b)
the covering of the ark, which was sprinkled with the atoning blood on the Day ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2435.htm - 7k

2434. hilasmos -- propitiation
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: hilasmos Phonetic Spelling:
(hil-as-mos') Short Definition: a propitiation, atoning sacrifice Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2434.htm - 7k

129. haima -- blood
... Of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the
juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/129.htm - 6k

3722a. kaphar -- to cover over, pacify, make propitiation
... Word Usage appease (1), appease* (1), atone (3), atoned (2), atonement is made
(1), atonement shall be made (1), atonement was made (1), atoning (1), canceled ...
/hebrew/3722a.htm - 6k

The Only Atoning Priest
... The Only Atoning Priest. A Sermon (No.1034). Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, February
4th, 1872, by. CH SPURGEON,. ... There is but one true atoning priest. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

Atoning Lamb.
... 299 Atoning Lamb. 7s. Delight in Christ. (575) Earth has nothing sweet
or fair, Lovely forms or beauties rare, But before my eyes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/299 atoning lamb 7s.htm

The Lord's Supper.
... It is the feast of the thankful remembrance and appropriation of his atoning death,
and of the living union of believers with him, and their communion among ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 55 the lords supper.htm

The Law, and the Prophecy.
... as a wonderful system of types and shadows, perpetually pointed to the realities
of the new covenant, especially to the one all-sufficient atoning sacrifice of ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 10 the law and.htm

A Ribband of Blue.
... that will was in itself sinful; and not to do that will, whether consciously or
unconsciously, was sin"sin that could only be put away by atoning sacrifice. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/a ribband of blue.htm

Pride Catechized
... Do you object to the very basis of the plan, namely, that God will forgive
sin through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, his Son? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/pride catechized.htm

Prayer and God's Work
... Not that we must make ourselves holy, but we must be cleansed from all sin by the
precious atoning blood of Christ, and be made holy by the direct agency of ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/vii prayer and gods work.htm

The Holy Spirit and Prayer
... begin His work on earth till He was anointed by the Holy Spirit, so the same Holy
Spirit is necessary to carry forward and make effective the atoning work of ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/xiii the holy spirit and.htm

The Meeting Hereafter.
... The Sacrifice will remain, the atoning Blood for the remission of guilt, the altar
will remain as well as the pulpit, the priest as well as the teacher ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxvi the meeting hereafter.htm

The Servant's Obedience
... and foreknowledge of God, ye with wicked hands have crucified and slain.' The full
significance of Christ's passion as that of the atoning sacrifice was not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the servants obedience.htm

Atoning (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Atoning (5 Occurrences). ... 1 John 2:2 And he is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. ...
/a/atoning.htm - 8k

Expiation (9 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:25 whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his
blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of ...
/e/expiation.htm - 11k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). He makes reconciliation between God and man by his
all-perfect atoning sacrifice. Such a mediator must be at ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)
... and to thy needy, in thy land," gave place to a formal, meritorious" practice,
possessing, like sacrifice, as men came to think, the power of atoning for man's ...
/a/almsgiving.htm - 17k

Assurance (16 Occurrences)
... is based, not on "works of righteousness which we have done" (compare Titus 3:4,
5 the King James Version) but on the highpriesthood and atoning sacrifice of ...
/a/assurance.htm - 16k

Alms (13 Occurrences)
... and to thy needy, in thy land," gave place to a formal, meritorious" practice,
possessing, like sacrifice, as men came to think, the power of atoning for man's ...
/a/alms.htm - 22k

Water (4571 Occurrences)
... by the heavenly voice, "This is my beloved Son," who at the crucifixion ("blood")
had the testimony that the Father had accepted His atoning sacrifice, and ...
/w/water.htm - 23k

Atonements (6 Occurrences)

/a/atonements.htm - 8k

Blood (435 Occurrences)
... or vegetable, as the blood of man or the juice of the grape (Leviticus 17:11, et
al.); in the New Testament for the blood of an animal, the atoning blood of ...
/b/blood.htm - 54k

Creeds
... that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). These words
would seem to imply that a confession of the Deity, the atoning death, and ...
/c/creeds.htm - 28k

What are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is the atonement of Christ unlimited? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about Purgatory? | GotQuestions.org

Atoning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus