Topical Encyclopedia The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, is one of the most significant and solemn holy days in the Jewish calendar, as outlined in the Old Testament. It is observed on the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri, and is a day dedicated to atonement and repentance. The biblical foundation for the Day of Atonement is found primarily in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23:26-32.Biblical Foundation and Rituals The Day of Atonement is described in detail in Leviticus 16, where God instructs Moses on the specific rituals to be performed by the high priest, Aaron. This day is marked by a series of sacrificial rites intended to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. The high priest would first bathe and dress in special linen garments, then offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household (Leviticus 16:6: "Aaron is to present the bull for his sin offering and make atonement for himself and his household"). Central to the Day of Atonement is the ritual of the two goats. One goat, chosen by lot, is sacrificed as a sin offering for the people, and its blood is sprinkled on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, symbolizing the cleansing of the sanctuary from the impurities of the Israelites (Leviticus 16:15-16: "Then he shall slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil. He is to do with this blood as he did with the blood of the bull: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it"). The second goat, known as the scapegoat, is presented alive before the LORD. The high priest lays his hands on its head, confessing over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, symbolically transferring their sins to the goat. It is then sent away into the wilderness, signifying the removal of sin from the community (Leviticus 16:21-22: "He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, regarding all their sins. He shall place them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task"). Significance and Observance The Day of Atonement is a day of solemn rest and self-denial, as commanded in Leviticus 23:27-32. It is a time for the Israelites to afflict their souls, which traditionally includes fasting and refraining from work. The purpose of this observance is to cleanse the people from their sins and restore their relationship with God (Leviticus 16:30: "because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD"). Theological Implications The Day of Atonement holds profound theological significance, foreshadowing the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews draws parallels between the high priest's work on Yom Kippur and the redemptive work of Christ. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. 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." Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the typology of the Day of Atonement, offering a once-for-all atonement for sin, thereby granting believers direct access to God and eternal forgiveness. This understanding underscores the continuity between the Old and New Covenants and highlights the fulfillment of the Law through Christ. Contemporary Observance While the Day of Atonement is primarily a Jewish observance, its themes of repentance, atonement, and reconciliation resonate deeply within Christian theology. Many Christians reflect on these themes during their own times of spiritual renewal and repentance, recognizing the completed work of Christ as the ultimate atonement for sin. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Day of AtonementDAY OF ATONEMENT See ATONEMENT, DAY OF. ATS Bible Dictionary Day of AtonementSee EXPIATION. Greek 3521. nesteia -- fasting, a fast ... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: nesteia Phonetic Spelling: (nace-ti'-ah) Short Definition: fasting, the day of atonement Definition: fasting ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3521.htm - 6k 2435. hilasterion -- propitiatory 2369. thumiaterion -- altar of incense, a censer Library The Day of Atonement The Day of Atonement The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual ... Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's ... Leviticus Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times. In the Holy of Holies. In the Holy of Holies Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation. The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ... Resources What is the Sabbath day? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Seventh-day Adventism (SDA), and what do Seventh-day Adventists believe? | GotQuestions.org What is the Lord's day? | GotQuestions.org Day: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Gladness Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Good Tidings Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day Which the Lord Has Made Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Good Day Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Solemn Day Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Adversity Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Anger Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Calamity Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Darkness Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Destruction Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Evil Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Slaughter Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of The Lord Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Trouble Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Vengeance Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Visitation Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Wrath Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of God's Power Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Redemption Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Salvation Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Visitation Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Break of Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Decline of Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Evening Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Morning Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Noon Day: Artificial, the Time of the Sun's Continuance Above The Day: Day's Journey, Eighteen or Twenty Miles Day: Divided Into Twelve Hours Day: Judgment: A Figure of Spiritual Illumination Day: Judgment: Called the Day of the Lord Day: Later Subdivided Into Twelve Hours Day: Made for the Glory of God Day: Natural, from Evening to Evening Day: Proclaims the Glory of God Day: Sabbath Day's Journey, About Two-Thousand Paces Day: Six Working Days Ordained Day: Sometimes Divided Into Four Parts Day: Succession of, Secured by Covenant Day: Th Sixth Day of the Week Called Preparation Day Day: The First Day of the Week Called the Lord's Day Day: Time of, Ascertained by the Dial Day: Times of Adversity Called Day of the Lord Related Terms Preparation-day (1 Occurrence) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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