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 instructions for observing this day are primarily found in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23:26-32.

Biblical Foundation

The Day of Atonement is instituted by God as a day of national and individual repentance and purification. Leviticus 16 provides a detailed account of the rituals and sacrifices that the high priest was to perform to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. The chapter describes the unique role of the high priest, who would enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for himself, his household, and the entire congregation of Israel.

The high priest would first bathe and put on sacred garments. He would then offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household. Two goats were selected for the people: one to be sacrificed as a sin offering and the other to be the scapegoat. The scapegoat, or Azazel, was symbolically laden with the sins of the people and sent into the wilderness, signifying the removal of their transgressions.

Leviticus 16:30 states, "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."

Observance and Significance

The Day of Atonement is a day of rest and affliction of the soul, which traditionally includes fasting, prayer, and repentance. Leviticus 23:27-28 commands, "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You are to hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD. On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God."

The day serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the need for purification from sin. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement to restore the relationship between God and His people.

Theological Implications

In Christian theology, the Day of Atonement is seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ. The Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament draws parallels between the high priest's annual atonement and Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. 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."

The Day of Atonement thus holds profound significance for both Jews and Christians. For Jews, it remains a central day of repentance and reconciliation with God. For Christians, it points to the redemptive work of Christ, who fulfills and transcends the Old Testament sacrificial system, offering eternal atonement for sin.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.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 23:27
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 25:9
Then shall you cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall you make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 29:7
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:
Nave's Topical Index

The Day of Atonement
... on a peculiar set day, as you find at the 29th verse: "In the seventh month, on
the tenth day of the month;" and at no other time was the day of atonement to be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual ...
... shall He appear the second time without sin (our sins gone) unto salvation." Thus
we see that the Ritual of Israel's annual Day of Atonement foreshadowed not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/5 the fact of the.htm

The Day of Atonement
... limit of his approach; but, on this one day, he lifted ... The ritual for the atonement
of the sins of the ... two goats had been, during all this time, standing at ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

Next Day among his Letters were Two of Value in the History of ...
... He listened long to the casuistry of learned men touching prayer, atonement, and
sacrifice. ... That you shall know some day. ... We wait only for the fulness of time. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 15 next day among.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... present, and by the mediation of the great High-Priest in the time to come ... except
for the one approach of the high- priest on the day of atonement, dwelt the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Extent of Atonement.
... this subject of the extent of the atonement, let the Bible speak for itself: "The
next day John seeth ... for all, to be testified in due time." "For therefore ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvi extent of atonement.htm

Instructed in the Law of God
... And at the time appointed"on the tenth day of the seventh month"the solemn services
of the Day of Atonement were performed according to the command of God. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 56 instructed in the.htm

A Reasonable Service
... He had been present on the great day of Atonement when the ... a school for stammerers
and came to see him one day. Keeping time with his fingers in the use of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a reasonable service.htm

Good-Friday.
... should visit in spirit the cross of Jesus, for every day we need the merit of the
atonement, and the ... hang the world in black, and, at the same time let us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxii good-friday.htm

Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's ...
... Feast of the Ingathering of Wood, the Feast of Trumpets, or Day of Atonement. ... This
would allow ample time for Christ's stay in Jerusalem during the Passover ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xv the location of.htm

What are the main arguments against limited atonement? | GotQuestions.org

Limited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is the atonement of Christ unlimited? | GotQuestions.org

Atonement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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