Topical Bible: Atonement: Day of How Observed

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The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, is one of the most solemn and significant holy days in the biblical calendar, as outlined in Leviticus 16 and 23. It is observed on the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri, and is a day dedicated to atonement and repentance.

Biblical Instructions:

The Day of Atonement is described in detail in Leviticus 16, where God commands Moses regarding its observance. The high priest plays a central role in the rituals, which include a series of sacrifices and ceremonies designed to atone for the sins of the people of Israel.

1. Preparation and Purification: The high priest is required to bathe and don special linen garments before entering the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:4). This act of purification underscores the holiness required to approach God.

2. Sacrifices: The high priest offers a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household (Leviticus 16:6, 11). Two goats are presented at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. One goat is chosen by lot to be sacrificed as a sin offering for the people, and the other, known as the scapegoat, is set free into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the community (Leviticus 16:7-10).

3. Blood Atonement: The blood of the sacrificed bull and goat is sprinkled on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sanctuary, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar (Leviticus 16:15-19). This act signifies the cleansing of the sacred spaces from the impurities of the Israelites.

4. The Scapegoat: The high priest lays his hands on the head of the live goat, confessing over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites. The goat is then sent away into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of sin from the people (Leviticus 16:21-22).

5. Fasting and Rest: Leviticus 23:27-32 commands the Israelites to afflict their souls, traditionally understood as fasting, and to abstain from work. This day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, emphasizing the seriousness of the occasion.

Spiritual Significance:

The Day of Atonement is a profound expression of God's mercy and justice. It highlights the need for repentance and the provision of atonement through sacrifice. Hebrews 9:7-14 in the New Testament reflects on the Day of Atonement, drawing parallels to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, offering His own blood for the eternal redemption of humanity.

Contemporary Observance:

While the sacrificial system is no longer practiced, the Day of Atonement remains a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Jewish communities worldwide. For Christians, it serves as a reminder of the atoning work of Christ and the call to live a life of repentance and holiness.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 30:10
And Aaron shall make an atonement on the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement on it throughout your generations: it is most holy to the LORD.
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Leviticus 16:2-34
And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to Aaron your brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is on the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.
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Leviticus 23:27-32
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation to you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
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Numbers 29:7-11
And you shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and you shall afflict your souls: you shall not do any work therein:
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Acts 27:9
Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
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Hebrews 5:3
And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
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Hebrews 9:7,19,22
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
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Library

The Day of Atonement
... We do not here consider the singular part of the ritual of the Day of Atonement
which is ... to the consideration of that part of it which was observed in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... in 1844, as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. ... Religion,"
in answer to a question as to the day to be observed in obedience ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... in 1844 as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. ... Religion,
in answer to a question as to the day to be observed in obedience to ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

Arguments of the Psychics, Drawn from the Law, the Gospel, the ...
... the seventh month (as) a day of atonement, saying, "Holy ... not have been vexed in that
day shall be ... the future, fasting was to be indifferently observed, by the ...
/.../chapter ii arguments of the psychics.htm

Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's ...
... that I can scarcely conceive our Lord going up to a feast observed with such ... Feast
of the Ingathering of Wood, the Feast of Trumpets, or Day of Atonement. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xv the location of.htm

Leviticus
... be observed by the high priest on every occasion on which he should enter the inner
sanctuary, the other with specific reference to the great day of atonement. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

The Day of Pentecost.
... than that of rams and bullocks, make a true atonement for the ... now given for the choice
of this day, we may ... it might be, according to the rules observed by the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ii the day of.htm

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
... and most extreme section held that, the laws, as Israel observed them, would ...
thank-offering, and all fasts and feasts except the Day of Atonement, or else ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xiv the law in.htm

Hezekiah
... Upon the altar were placed sin offerings "to make an atonement for all Israel."
"And when they ... On the appointed day the Passover was observed, and the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Some More Particular Directions for Maintaining Continual ...
... at such intervals, reflect on what we have observed as to the ... Gal.2:20) and regarded
Christ this day as my teacher and governor, my atonement and intercessor ...
/.../chapter xix some more particular.htm